Baseball

Four WVU athletes earn extra year of eligibility after federal court ruling, including Lorient, Chambers

MORGANTOWN -- Four West Virginia University athletes received good news Wednesday morning. Men’s basketball forwards Brenen Lorient and Javan Buchanan, football defensive back Jason Chambers and baseball pitcher Ben McDougal were granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA by United States District Court Judge John Preston Bailey, which allows them to play an extra season for the Mountaineers. The news was first reported by Keenan Cummings of On3. 

This comes after the NCAA passed a new 5-for-5 ruling in June, which didn’t grant an extra year of eligibility to 2022 athletes. The four, along with numerous other college athletes, have challenged the ruling and gained the extra year through temporary restraining orders and injunctions.

Lorient was a big piece of WVU’s basketball season in 2025-26, transferring over from North Texas with new head coach Ross Hodge. In 34 games, Lorient averaged 11.9 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game. He was a strong defender and, at 6-foot-9, blocked a team-high 45 shots. Lorient was named to the College Basketball Crown All-Tournament Team. This will be Lorient’s third season under Hodge, and a major leader on a new-look squad.

Buchanan transferred after two seasons at Boise State and two seasons at the NAIA level. He argued the two years at the NAIA school should not have counted against his Division I eligibility. Buchanan averaged 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game at Boise State last season.

Chambers played last season with the Mountaineers after transferring from Appalachian State. Chambers appeared in all 12 games at corner and on special teams, and he had 34 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception. Head coach Rich Rodriguez was asked about Chambers Tuesday during his weekly press conference and said he’s been practicing with the team. He could play as early as this weekend against Iowa State. Bailey included in the ruling the urgency of this matter has increased substantially because the season had already begun.

“He’s been in the system a year, so he could certainly help us if that gets through,” Rodriguez said.

McDougal, a Bridgeport, West Virginia native, had a promising 2026 campaign in his second year for the Mountaineers. The relief pitcher had 13 appearances and had a 3.14 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 14.1 innings pitched. He’s most notable for his five-inning performance against Kentucky in the Morgantown Regional Final. He came in relief to steady the ship and struck out six batters while allowing only two runs, receiving the win. He becomes one of the top arms out of the bullpen for the 2027 season. 

All four are available to compete for roster positions for the 2026-27 seasons without the NCAA “treating that participation as a violation of its eligibility rules.” The NCAA is also enjoined from enforcing the Rule of Restitution.