BREAKING: Gonzaga’s Tyon Grant-Foster Cleared to Play This Season

URGENT UPDATE: Gonzaga forward Tyon Grant-Foster has been granted a preliminary injunction by a Spokane County judge, allowing him to play for the Bulldogs during the upcoming season. This decision comes after the NCAA denied Grant-Foster’s eligibility waiver earlier this month, making the court’s ruling a significant win for the player and the team.

Just moments ago, Judge Marla Polin ruled in favor of Grant-Foster, who is poised to make an immediate impact on the court. He went directly from the courthouse to Gonzaga’s exhibition game against Western Oregon, which tipped off less than an hour after the ruling. This development marks a turning point for the Bulldogs as they prepare for their regular season opener against Texas Southern on November 3, 2023.

Grant-Foster’s journey to this moment has been fraught with challenges. Originally part of the high school class of 2018, he played two seasons at Indian Hills Community College before transferring to Kansas, where he participated in 22 games during the 2020-21 season. His career took a dramatic turn when he collapsed during halftime of his first game with DePaul in the 2021-22 season, leading to multiple heart surgeries that sidelined him for 16 months.

After his recovery, Grant-Foster returned to the court with Grand Canyon for the 2023-24 season, where he earned WAC Player of the Year honors by averaging 20.1 points and 6.1 rebounds. He played a crucial role in leading the Lopes to the NCAA tournament and securing the program’s first tournament victory over Saint Mary’s.

However, the NCAA viewed Grant-Foster’s time at Indian Hills and Grand Canyon as utilizing his four years of eligibility. His legal team argued that a blanket waiver provided to former junior college transfers last December should grant him additional eligibility. The judge’s ruling today is a pivotal moment for Grant-Foster and Gonzaga, as he is expected to be a key starter alongside preseason All-WCC first-teamers Graham Ike and Braden Huff.

This news is not just a personal victory for Grant-Foster; it has significant implications for Gonzaga’s season as they look to build on their strong roster. Fans are eager to see how this will influence their performance as the season kicks off.

As the situation develops, all eyes will be on Gonzaga and how they integrate Grant-Foster into their lineup. Stay tuned for more updates on this story as it unfolds.