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How Greg Gard, Wisconsin approach Braeden Carrington's uncertain roster status
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- How Greg Gard, Wisconsin approach Braeden Carrington's uncertain roster status
MADISON – Wisconsin men's basketball keeps living in limbo when it comes to Braeden Carrington's NCAA eligibility status .
But head coach Greg Gard is approaching Carrington's situation as if he's going to play in 2026-27 until hearing otherwise.
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"He's been in everything," Gard said. "He was with us throughout the summer in anticipation, for most of the summer. Obviously he had offseason surgery, so he was a little delayed in coming back after the season. … Here this fall, he's been with us all the time. So as it sits today, he's eligible."
Carrington is among the players who were originally part of the 2022 recruiting class and are seeking a fifth season of eligibility via a lawsuit against the NCAA. The college sports governing body's new age-based, "five-in-five" eligibility model did not apply retroactively to Carrington's class.
Carrington and the other plaintiffs in his California-based case were granted a temporary restraining order in August that allow them to play in the meantime. Court records indicate there was a hearing for a preliminary injunction on Sept. 29, but there has been no ruling.
Gard anticipates the next step in the legal process being on Oct. 20.
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"We're operating obviously with that in mind, but from everything I've gathered and the conversations I've had with our administrators is that if he's eligible, he's probably going to play," Gard said.
Carrington was not available to reporters when the other 14 players were during the team's Oct. 6 local media day, but redshirt junior Jack Janicki has been "super impressed" with how steady Carrington has been amid the uncertainty.
"I'm chomping at the bit for news," Janicki said. "I'm sure he's refreshing and checking for texts every day. It's a tough situation to be in. … He's been not only playing well, but he's been leading well. He's been vocal, and I have nothing but respect for him, for how he's been able to put on the blinders."
While some factors may work in Carrington's favor as the judge considers the preliminary injunction, the NCAA has expressed confidence in its ability to get favorable rulings later in the legal process.
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"It's important to remember that every time one of these cases has gotten in front of a higher court or an appellate court, the NCAA has been successful in overturning preliminary injunctions," Tim Buckley, the NCAA's senior vice president for external affairs, previously told the Journal Sentinel .
Wisconsin guard Braeden Carrington (0) saves the ball from going out of bound during the second half against Michigan at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
As long as Carrington remains eligible, it would mark the return of the program's record holder for most 3-pointers made in a single game with nine. The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 8.3 points per game off the bench while shooting 40.1% from 3-point range in the Minnesota/Tulsa transfer's lone season with UW.
"Obviously we'd be so blessed to have him on the team again," Janicki said. "Not only as a player, but as another guy to bring up the locker room."
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Carrington would fill the 15th and final spot on the 2026-27 roster. If the NCAA ultimately prevails against Carrington and other athletes, Gard and Co. would have limited recourse to fill the last roster spot until the end of the semester.
"We knew with Braeden all along it's going to be a roller coaster, regardless of what happens on the 20th," Gard said. "We're prepared for that. … Since the portal and everything that has gone on in college athletics, it's allowed us to take a little different view of everything and understand we just focus on things you can control."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Greg Gard, Wisconsin approach Braeden Carrington's uncertain roster status
