Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen has filed for a temporary injunction in Gainesville as he seeks permission to play a fifth college season, his attorney, Jesse Panuccio, told Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman.
Aberdeen was declared ineligible last month after the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals paused a Colorado court order requiring the NCAA to grant eligibility to athletes from the 2022 recruiting class. The NCAA has adopted a five-for-five eligibility policy, but the policy does not cover fifth-year athletes whose eligibility ended after the 2025-26 athletic season.
Aberdeen’s legal position centers in part on his limited role as a true freshman at Florida during the 2022-23 season. He appeared in 12 games and played 40 total minutes. He did not redshirt during his previous seasons, and he spent his fourth season at Kentucky after playing three years for Florida.
His case also points to his lack of professional basketball activity. Aberdeen did not enter the NBA draft, sign a professional contract, play in the NBA Summer League or participate in the G League, according to the source.
Florida coach Todd Golden and athletic director Scott Stricklin have expressed support for Aberdeen’s decision to pursue legal remedies. Golden previously said the school was prepared to take legal action and described a temporary restraining order as a last resort.
