Just Now: Khalifaās redshirt status finally approved extra year of eligibility
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The NCAA has denied University of Louisville center Aly Khalifaās request for an extension of his five-year eligibility clock, rendering him ineligible for the 2025ā26 menās basketball season. This decision comes after Khalifa, who redshirted the 2024ā25 season due to a knee injury, sought to utilize his fourth and final season of eligibility while pursuing a masterās degree at Louisville
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Khalifaās collegiate journey began at Charlotte, where he redshirted his first year (2020ā21) and played two subsequent seasons. He then transferred to BYU for the 2023ā24 season before joining Louisville. Although the NCAA granted blanket waivers to all players during the 2020ā21 season due to COVID-19 disruptions, Khalifaās redshirt status that year negated the extra year of eligibility.
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The NCAAās denial is based on the programās failure to apply for a medical hardship waiver prior to the start of the 2024ā25 season. As a result, the waiver filed at the end of the season was deemed invalid, despite Khalifa being physically unable to play for most of the season.
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The University of Louisville has announced plans to appeal the NCAAās decision, believing that Khalifa has a strong case warranting an additional year. The appeal process typically takes 10ā14 days to resolve.
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Khalifa, a 6-foot-11 center from Egypt, has been working towards a masterās degree in sports administration at Louisville while preparing for the 2025ā26 basketball season. Known for his exceptional passing ability, Khalifa has been described by head coach Pat Kelsey as āan extension of the coaching staffā and āone of the brightest basketball mindsā heās coached.
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During his time at BYU, Khalifa averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, with a 3.6-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking first in the Big 12 and sixth nationally among centers.
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As the appeal process unfolds, the university and Khalifa remain hopeful for a favorable outcome that would allow him to contribute on the court while completing his graduate studies.