Fifth-year forward RJ Godfrey said he believes he will be found eligible to play for the University of Arizona this season amid ongoing legal proceedings that have put his status in doubt. Godfrey, who joined the Wildcats last month and has been practicing with the team, said he is trying to focus on being grateful for the present while awaiting a final decision from the courts and the NCAA.
Player confident despite legal uncertainty
Godfrey, who spent his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons at Clemson and his junior year at Georgia, said the uncertainty over his eligibility was frustrating over the summer but that he now feels a degree of peace.
“So as of now I don’t think it’s very frustrating because I think in my heart, I know that I’ll be able to play the season,” Godfrey said. “So just being able to have gratitude for the moment is allowing me just to have peace with the court stuff.”
The forward described mixed emotions during an earlier NCAA cross-examination, saying the experience felt surreal and that he hoped he would not have to defend himself in that setting again.
Where the case stands
Godfrey is among members of the class of 2022 who are seeking a fifth year of eligibility after the NCAA adopted a so-called “five-for-five” rule this season. The rule gives athletes a five-year window to use their seasons of eligibility but did not automatically include athletes from the 2022 class.
Recently, the Georgia Court of Appeals issued a stay that affects Godfrey and other players, temporarily making them ineligible after lower courts had previously indicated they might be permitted to play. The stay remains part of the ongoing legal process, and the timeline for a final resolution has not been provided.
On-court resume and expectations
Arizona coaches and teammates have had Godfrey around the program while his eligibility is unresolved. His presence in practice offers the Wildcats a potential boost in depth and experience, particularly as the team prepares for the season.
Last season — while at Clemson — Godfrey posted notable numbers that underscore why his potential availability matters to Arizona:
| Statistic | Last season (Clemson) |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 12.0 |
| Rebounds per game | 5.3 |
| Assists per game | 1.6 |
| Field goal percentage | 61.1% |
Those figures — especially his efficiency inside the arc — make Godfrey a potentially valuable rotation piece for Arizona’s frontcourt, whether in a starting role or as a key reserve.
Players’ legal fight for an extra season
The contested eligibility of athletes from the 2022 class centers on whether the NCAA’s updated window should apply retroactively or otherwise accommodate those affected. Godfrey and others have pursued legal avenues to secure a fifth season, arguing for parity with athletes who fall under the new provision.
While Godfrey expressed confidence in the outcome, the court stay means his availability is not yet settled. If the stay is lifted or reversed, he and the other affected players could be cleared to compete; if it stands, they would remain sidelined from official competition for now.
What this means for Arizona basketball
- If cleared, Godfrey gives Arizona additional frontcourt depth and scoring efficiency.
- If not cleared, Arizona must continue to rely on its existing rotation and any other eligible newcomers.
- The timing of a decision could affect game plans and roster usage early in the season.
Coaches, players and fans will be watching the court proceedings closely to learn whether Godfrey and his peers will be available when the Wildcats begin competitive play. For now, he remains on campus practicing and preparing while the legal process takes its course.
Gabriela Montoya, State Correspondent
