Former Florida State men's basketball player Alex Steen has sued the NCAA in Leon County, seeking an extra year of eligibility, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by the Tallahassee Democrat. The NCAA adopted a five years to play five seasons elgibility model in June, which went into effect for Class of 2023 athletes and onward. That opened the door for lawsuits from Class of 2022 athletes, which led to Colorado Judge Charlotte Sweeney issuing a preliminary injunction in the US District Court of Colorado on July 31 that allows Class of 2022 recruits an additional year of eligibility. Steen's suit, filed on Aug. 14, said he is seeking "equal treatment" and "equal years," citing the recent eligibility rulings by both the NCAA and by Judge Sweeney.
Steen spent three seasons at Division II Florida Southern before transferring to FSU for his senior year. He recorded 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds last season with a 63.2 field goal percentage. A return to Tallahassee is possible, though it will have to make financial sense both for the program and player. "Alex Steen asks this court for nothing more than what the NCAA already gives - and has given - to virtually every other Division I athlete: a fifth season of eligibility," the suit reads. "Without emergency relief, the 2026-27 basketball season will begin without him, roster spots will be filled, and the opportunities he's earned through years of development, injuries, academic success, and NCAA Division I competition will be lost forever." Steen has been around the Seminoles in the summer, working out at the team facility. He was slated to start his pro career in Serbia before his eligibility lawsuit was filed. Multiple eligibility lawsuits are ongoing after that decision, including one that features former FSU football quarterback Tommy Castellanos. This story is breaking and will be updated with more information Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former FSU basketball player Alex Steen sues NCAA for additional year of eligibility