By Tyler Gullahorn, Guest Writer 

Xavier men’s basketball forward Filip Borovićanin enters a state of uncertainty regarding maintaining his eligibility for the 2026-2027 season. 

Borovićanin is a 6-foot-9 forward from Belgrade, Serbia who has played Division 1 basketball at the University of Arizona (2022-24), the University of New Mexico (2024-25) and Xavier University (2025-26). He started in 32 of Xavier’s 33 games last season and led the team in both rebounds and assists per game.  

  Borovićanin is one of the many plaintiffs in litigation seeking an additional season of eligibility. His case is being led by attorneys Darren Heitner and Ryan Downton who are claiming that the NCAA breached obligations that are listed in the Division 1 manual which are fundamental fairness, good faith and consistency.  

The argument of inconsistency being made by Heitner and Downton is that the NCAA is barring high school class of 2022 athletes while letting former G League and other professional players compete.  

The NCAA Division 1 Cabinet approved a new five-year eligibility system where the clock starts the academic year after a player’s 19^th birthday or full-time enrollment. This new rule generally removes redshirt and hardship waiver extensions that used to prolong eligibility. Because of this, the class of 2022 high school graduates are getting cut off from a rule that was meant to benefit them this year. 

On July 9, Borovićanin’s initial appeal turned into an injunction granted by Judge Christopher Wagner from Hamilton County, Ohio. This injunction let him, as well as 23 others, play an extra season while their case continues. The NCAA reacted to this preliminary injunction by saying that it was “wrong” and they would appeal and seek a stay.  

The NCAA followed through on their threat by asking Wagner to put a hold on his own injunction while the appeal played out. On July 17, Wagner denied the request, writing that a stay “is not warranted in this case.” Wagner’s original order stayed in effect, meaning that Borovićanin and the other 23 plaintiffs remained eligible for the upcoming season while the appeal moved forward. 

With Borovićanin securing temporary eligibility, he was left with a big decision on where to take his talents for the 2026-2027 season. He had the option to enter the transfer portal and test his luck with a market that would be very concerned about his eligibility. Instead, he recommitted to Xavier, a move his agent, Daniel Poneman, confirmed publicly days after the ruling. 

For Xavier, this meant getting back a player who averaged 10.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game last season. On top of the statistics, Borovićanin also provided Xavier fans with a game winning shot against DePaul University.  

Head coach Richard Pitino has been careful about what he addresses since the case is not fully resolved, but he has made it clear that Borovićanin would be appreciated on the roster. Getting Borovićanin back on the roster is not just a legal footnote; it would be the difference in rebuilding or finding success with pieces that Pitino is familiar with.  

While Borovićanin recommitted to Xavier, nothing about this case is finished. The preliminary injunction that is granting him eligibility is not a final decision, and the appeal submitted by the NCAA is still making its way through the courts.  

If the NCAA’s appeal prevails, Borovićanin’s eligibility and the eligibility of the 23 other plaintiffs could be stripped before the season tips off. As for now, Borovićanin is back in the gym with the Musketeers and treated like any other returning player.  

There is still hope from the Xavier fans who are waiting on the case to be finalized. 

“I would definitely think we would be better defensively, and it would give us another guy who can handle the ball,” sophomore finance major Christian Schlidt said “He’s a great rebounder and good defender and if he was on the court with Tru Washington and Chance Westry, we’d have three guys who could all bring the ball up.”  

Whatever happens next in the courtroom, Borovićanin’s decision to return says something about where the Xavier program is headed. For a Xavier team built around continuity, his return is not just about one more season of production. It is about finding the best possible team to push Xavier to the highest point that they can reach in the highly anticipated 2026-2027 season.