The NCAA’s latest waiver ruling on Gonzaga transfer could be a major blow to the rotation just weeks before the 2025-26 season is set to begin.
NCAA Denies Gonzaga Transfer Tyon Grant-Foster’s Eligibility Waiver
It has been a long journey for Tyon Grant-Foster to reach this stage of his career. Grant-Foster began his college basketball career by playing two seasons of JUCO at Indian Hills Community College. Eventually, Grant-Foster made the decision to transfer to Kansas before the 2020-21 season, but he received limited playing time. After just one season in Lawrence, Grant-Foster re-entered the portal and ended up going to play for the DePaul Blue Demons.
In just his first game with the Blue Demons, Tyon Grant-Foster suffered a life-threatening health scare. Grant-Foster collapsed on his way back to the locker room and had to be resuscitated three times. Shortly after, Grant-Foster had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) inserted to help monitor his heartbeat. Just months after, Grant-Foster had another scare, and a second surgery was done. He missed the rest of the 2021-22 season and also missed the whole 2022-23 season during his recovery.
Great Resilience In Return To Action
Grant-Foster transferred away from DePaul and went to Grand Canyon to play for Bryce Drew. Despite his career being threatened, Grant-Foster returned to action and played at a high level for Grand Canyon. In his first season with the Antelopes, Grant-Foster averaged 20.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.2 steals and blocks combined (stocks). His dominant performances led to him making the All-WAC First Team and winning the WAC Player of the Year award.
Grant-Foster tested the waters in the 2024 NBA Draft process but eventually withdrew from the draft pool. He returned to Grand Canyon for another season, as he was granted an extra year of eligibility. Grant-Foster was still productive, averaging 14.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.2 stocks, but he missed time due to an ankle injury.
Another Year Of Eligibility?
This past April, Grant-Foster entered the transfer portal and eventually committed to the Bulldogs.
Recently, the NCAA granted Grant-Foster a practice waiver that allowed him to finally practice with his new teammates. Grant-Foster had spent most of his offseason in Phoenix while he awaited the status of his eligibility. However, CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein confirmed that the NCAA denied him an eligibility waiver for this season.
The NCAA has denied the eligibility waiver for Gonzaga’s Tyon Grant-Foster, per a school spokesman.
Transfer from Grand Canyon who averaged 14.8 PPG last season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 18, 2025
This decision was surprising given the timing of the ruling and Grant-Foster already being granted a practice waiver. With Grant-Foster having competed in two seasons of JUCO and having spent the COVID season at Kansas, Grant-Foster is hoping to get a fifth season of eligibility. A recent court ruling determined that JUCO seasons should not count against the eligibility of NCAA student-athletes. A preliminary injunction hearing in Spokane County is set for next Thursday in hopes that Grant-Foster will be eligible to play for the Bulldogs.
The Verdict
Grant-Foster’s college career has been full of ups and downs. With Grant-Foster being projected to start, it is a significant blow for Gonzaga if he misses the beginning of the season. The case for Grant-Foster is strong since his COVID year and JUCO seasons should allow him to get another season. With the upcoming preliminary injunction hearing, there is a high probability that Grant-Foster will be granted eligibility. If granted, Grant-Foster could end up being the next NBA talent from Gonzaga.
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