Malik Reneau's college career is technically over. A new lawsuit filed today in North Carolina argues it shouldn't be, and if it succeeds, Miami basketball would suddenly have its leading scorer back for another run.
Reneau is one of more than 50 players named in a suit filed against the NCAA, seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction that would let all of them play in 2026-27.
Another Class of 2022 Five for Five lawsuit has been filed in North Carolina today seeking a temporary and permanent injunction allowing them to play this season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 30, 2026
The plaintiffs, represented by multiple attorneys including Ryan Downton and Mark Peper, are:
Darrion Williams, NC…
The root issue traces back to the NCAA's decision in June to adopt a new "five-for-five" eligibility model, allowing athletes five seasons of competition within a five-year window tied to their enrollment date or the year they turn 19. The catch is that the NCAA didn't apply the new model retroactively to athletes who had already used four seasons in four years, which happens to be exactly the group that includes players who graduated high school in 2022, like Reneau.
That timing has left the Class of 2022 in an odd gap. The classes before them got extra eligibility through COVID waivers, and the classes after them get it through the new rule, but 2022 grads who played straight through without a redshirt get neither.
Reneau played three seasons at Indiana from 2022 to 2025, then transferred to Miami for 2025-26, giving him four seasons in four years and no path back under the old system.
An Ohio judge already granted a preliminary injunction to 24 basketball players making the same argument, and that win is part of why more suits keep showing up in new states. But a single state court ruling doesn't bind courts anywhere else, and the NCAA has publicly stated its position on the rule isn't changing despite that loss.
Another thing to watch is a federal class action in Colorado that could produce the first nationwide ruling on this issue. A decision there could either clear the way for players like Reneau across the country or hand the NCAA a much stronger hand in every case that follows, including the one just filed in North Carolina.
Reneau also signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Orlando Magic after going undrafted, so any college return would still require more than just a favorable ruling.
Reneau averaged 18.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 54/35/79 shooting splits this past season, earned First Team All-ACC honors, and was Miami's best player on a team that orchestrated one of the best single-season turnarounds in the sport.
Getting him back would put Miami in position to build directly on that momentum with its top scorer intact. And looking at the additions that Miami has welcomed in during the offseason, Miami would be one of the best teams in all of college basketball.
If Reneau comes back, Jai Lucas' Miami team goes from a Sweet Sixteen hopeful to an immediate championship contender.
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