Donovan Dent to Gonzaga? Why SDSU Should Be Worried About the NCAA’s Latest Ruling

Just when it looked like the offseason had finally come to an end, a federal judge may have reopened it.

On Friday, a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado issued a class-wide preliminary injunction requiring the NCAA to grant all athletes from the high school Class of 2022 another season of eligibility while an ongoing lawsuit works its way through the courts. The case argues that the NCAA’s transition to its new eligibility model unfairly left one recruiting class in limbo, potentially costing thousands of athletes an additional season. If the ruling ultimately stands, programs across the country could suddenly have access to experienced players they believed were gone for good.

For San Diego State, this isn’t simply another NCAA legal battle to scroll past on social media. It could have a real impact on the 2026-27 season.

The first reason is obvious. Another wave of eligible players means another opportunity to improve the roster. Brian Dutcher has built one of the nation’s most consistent programs by identifying experienced, physical players who fit the Aztec culture rather than chasing recruiting stars. If veteran talent unexpectedly becomes available in August, don’t expect SDSU to sit on the sidelines.

More importantly, however, the Aztecs need to pay attention because everyone else will be doing the same.

One of the first names connected to the ruling is former New Mexico star Donovan Dent. After transferring to UCLA following last season, Dent is reportedly pursuing a fifth year of eligibility, and Gonzaga has already surfaced as one of the schools monitoring his situation. If the Bulldogs were to land one of the country’s premier point guards just weeks before the season, it would instantly make one of San Diego State’s biggest conference rivals even more dangerous.

That’s why this ruling isn’t just about who the Aztecs can add. It’s about making sure the gap doesn’t widen if another contender lands a game-changing veteran.

If SDSU does decide to make one more move, the priority feels fairly obvious. The backcourt appears to be in good shape, but there is always room for another experienced frontcourt player. Whether it’s a rugged rebounder, a rim protector, or a versatile forward capable of guarding multiple positions, another veteran big would provide valuable depth over the course of a long season. Injuries happen, foul trouble happens, and championships are often won by the teams that can still control the paint in March.

The timing of this ruling could also create opportunities that didn’t exist a week ago. Programs that suddenly welcome back fifth-year veterans may find themselves with crowded frontcourts, opening the door for quality players to look elsewhere. That’s exactly the type of market Brian Dutcher has quietly capitalized on throughout his tenure. SDSU rarely wins recruiting battles by outspending blue bloods, but it has consistently won by finding experienced players whose value isn’t fully appreciated until they’re wearing scarlet and black.

College athletics has become a sport where the rules seem to change every few months. NIL transformed recruiting. The transfer portal reshaped roster building. Conference realignment altered the landscape of the West. Now another court ruling could trigger one final offseason scramble before the first ball is tipped.

Whether San Diego State ultimately adds another player remains to be seen. But if Gonzaga is looking to strengthen its roster with a player like Donovan Dent, the Aztecs can’t afford to assume their work is finished. The best programs adapt the fastest, and this latest ruling may have given every contender one last opportunity to get better before November.