CLEMSON — The second Clemson-related domino has fallen after a federal ruling turned the NCAA on its head.
Former Tigers men’s basketball player RJ Godfrey signed with Arizona on Aug. 2, per On3’s Pete Nakos and Joe Tipton.
Godfrey, who spent three seasons at Clemson and played what would have been his final college season in 2025-26, was granted an additional year of eligibility by a Colorado judge’s federal ruling July 31.
The ruling ordered the NCAA to grant all college athletes who enrolled in 2022 and exhausted their fourth year of eligibility during the 2025-26 athletic calendar an additional year of eligibility. The ruling comes after the NCAA announced its new “5 in 5” eligibility model, which grants athletes five seasons of eligibility and eliminates redshirts and waivers. Class of 2022 athletes were excluded from the new model, meaning those who played their final season in 2025-26 wouldn’t be eligible for 2026-27.
The ruling overturns the NCAA’s decision and gives those athletes an extra season.
On Aug. 1, the NCAA sent a letter to member schools stating it would pursue an appeal “on an expedited basis.”
Godfrey averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 2025-26, helping lead the Tigers to an NCAA Tournament appearance. He enrolled at Clemson in 2022 before transferring to Georgia for the 2023-24 season, then transferred back to Clemson for what would’ve been his final two seasons in college.
The 6-foot-8 forward joins guard Dillon Hunter as one of two Clemson athletes to take advantage of the federal ruling. Hunter announced Aug. 1 he would be entering the transfer portal to play out an additional year of eligibility. Fellow Clemson guard Efrem “Butta” Johnson entered the portal in April seeking an additional year of eligibility, but he has yet to announce his plans for next season.
Godfrey, Hunter and the rest of the class of 2022’s status for next season is not yet guaranteed with an NCAA appeal forthcoming.