Judge sides with Omaha basketball player in preliminary NCAA eligibility ruling

An Omaha men's basketball player received a temporary injunction, allowing him to play in the 2026-27 season after previously being denied a medical waiver by the NCAA.

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Judge grants injunction allowing Omaha basketball player to compete in 2026-27

An Omaha men’s basketball player received a temporary injunction, allowing him to play in the 2026-27 season after previously being denied a medical waiver by the NCAA.

OMAHA, Neb. —

An Omaha men’s basketball player received a temporary injunction, allowing him to play in the 2026-27 season after previously being denied a medical waiver by the NCAA.

Isaac Ondekane is entering his third season with the Mavericks. He missed the entirety of the 2025-26 season due to an ankle injury. The university had asked the NCAA to grant Ondekane an additional season.

The NCAA denied his request in February, saying the waiver he applied for had not been extended into the 2026-27 season.

Ondekane’s lawsuit argues that the NCAA failed to consider his medical records, issued a formal denial without addressing specific NCAA bylaws related to hardship waivers, as well as following a predetermined policy regardless of evidence.

On July 1, Judge Katie Benson in Douglas County granted an injunction to Ondekane allowing him to play in 2026-27 while litigation continues in court.

In her ruling, Benson distinguished Ondekane’s case from other eligibility lawsuits because he was not asking for a season the NCAA never granted, but rather a season already granted to him but lost because of an injury.

Judge Benson also emphasized that NCAA rules typically allow athletes injured early in a season to seek medical relief.

“I’m grateful to Judge Benson for listening carefully to what happened, to my teammates and coaches at UNO, to my family, and to my attorney for standing with me,” Ondekane said in a statement through his attorney. “All I ever wanted was the chance to finish what I started here. Now I can be back on the floor with my guys and give everything I have to this program and this city. This has caused me a lot of stress and personal pain. I’m hopeful that from here the NCAA will let me move forward.”

Ondekane appeared in 35 games for Omaha in 2024-25, making 34 starts. He averaged 5.3 points per game as the Mavericks earned their first NCAA Tournament appearance.

“The Court took a careful look at the record and the information presented by both sides, and made the right call in allowing Isaac to play while the case continues. Isaac, the community, and I are grateful for that decision,” said George Achola, Ondekane’s attorney. “We look forward to the final hearing.”

The order will remain in effect until the case reaches a final resolution.

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