Oct. 28—Seeking expedited relief in his ongoing eligibility battle, Gonzaga transfer Chauncey Wiggins has withdrawn his name from a 5-in-5 lawsuit in the state of Georgia and will now pursue a legal injunction in Texas with the Bulldogs' season opener just five days away.
Wiggins initially secured a fifth year of eligibility through a preliminary injunction in Georgia, but the NCAA subsequently filed for a stay that reversed the decision, making the former Florida State and Clemson player ineligible.
The Superior Court of Cobb County in Georgia recently set arguments for Jan. 12, 2027, which would've sidelined Wiggins through Gonzaga's nonconference schedule as well as multiple Pac-12 Conference games, with no guarantee he'd receive an injunction.
Wiggins was one of 16 players who chose to withdraw from the case, according to a notice of voluntary dismissal without prejudice filed Tuesday by Cobb County Superior Court Clerk Henry Thompson. The group also includes RJ Godfrey, one of Wiggins' former teammates at Clemson and someone expected to be a major contributor for former Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd at Arizona, should he secure a fifth-year waiver.
Wiggins will continue to seek legal relief in another jurisdiction, applying to join a group of player plaintiffs in the Wheeler v. NCAA case taking place in McLennan County, Texas. Other player plaintiffs in the case — Baylor football player Hosea Wheeler, Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams, Utah State guard Dallin Hall and former Washington State guard Nate Calmese to name a few — were granted a preliminary injunction in September, clearing them to play until at least Dec. 14 when the case goes to trial.
An intervention hearing will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday in Waco, Texas, to determine whether Wiggins and other members of the Godfrey v. NCAA will be added in the case and whether they'll be eligible for the injunction that was extended to player plaintiffs in the original lawsuit.
The wing's outside shooting would be a valuable weapon for Gonzaga if he's cleared to play. Wiggins made a career-high 72 3s last season at Florida State, shooting at a 38.7% clip. He contributed to the 3-point shooting barrage at Kraziness in the Kennel, making 2 of his 5 attempts, but wasn't eligible to suit up for Saturday's exhibition at Arkansas, watching from the bench in a team sweatsuit as the Zags struggled from distance, finishing just 6 of 28.
Wiggins didn't play in GU's second exhibition on Wednesday against Lewis-Clark State, but fed passes to teammates during pregame warmups and was an active member of the bench during a comfortable win at McCarthey Athletic Center.
"He's practicing every day and he's been great," Few said. "He's been great, working out, looks good. Obviously would really help him when we hopefully do get him eligible here."
In his lone season at Florida State, Wiggins averaged 13.3 points per game and 3.9 rebounds, shooting 47.9% from the field. He spent the three prior seasons at Clemson, starting in 43 of the 70 games as a sophomore and junior. Wiggins averaged 8.3 ppg during his junior season and 5.4 ppg as a sophomore.
Wiggins is one of three Zags who've taken legal action against the NCAA to secure a fifth year of eligibility. Xaivian Lee and Javon Bennett are eligible for the moment, but both still could face potential obstacles in lawsuits taking place in California and Ohio.
