The Iowa State basketball program just got a massive upgrade with the return of Tamin Lipsey
It was believed that Tamin Lipsey had played his final minutes with the Iowa State men’s basketball team during the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
However, the former Iowa high school standout is set to return to Ames, Iowa, this winter. Lipsey was among almost 100 other athletes granted eligibility by a judge in Indiana on Wednesday.
Lipsey was part of a suit against the NCAA that claims the new “five to play five” ruling unfairly excludes those who started their college careers in 2022.
A judge has now ruled in favor of Lipsey and the others. An appeal is likely to come by the NCAA, according to a report by ESPN.
Lipsey left Iowa State as the career leader in steals, starting a program-best 137 games. He was an all-stater for Ames High School before enrolling at Iowa State.
Judge Clears Way For Several To Return To NCAA, Who Will Likely Appeal
Monroe Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe announced her decision. The move impacts the current college football season. Indiana, the defending national champions, added Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt to the roster.
“Under the plain terms of the 2026-27 NCAA Manual, they are eligible to compete, and the NCAA is breaching its contractual obligations by denying them that opportunity,” Krothe wrote.
Last year, Lipsey averaged a career-best 13.5 points per game for the Cyclones. He added over five assists, nearly four rebounds and over two steals per game.
Lipsey also averaged 12.4 points per game as a sophomore and over 10 as a junior. He has scored 1,507 points with 602 assists, 518 rebounds and 314 steals.
Along with being a 46 percent career shooter from the field, Lipsey has made 131 three-pointers. He is also a 71 percent shooter from the free throw line.
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