Former Penn State basketball player Donovan “Puff” Johnson is suing the NCAA after his request for a medical hardship waiver was denied.
Johnson, who was trying to play for Ohio State in this 2025-26 season, filed a legal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against the NCAA Wednesday. While Johnson wasn’t, officially, listed on the Buckeyes’ team roster, the complaint states that Johnson was offered a scholarship to play for Ohio State.
His argument went on to say that he should be eligible for a medical hardship waiver due to the amount of injuries he suffered in the past five years. Johnson claims that his denial of waiver violates the Sherman Antitrust Act as well as Ohio’s Valentine Act.
Before Johnson transferred to Penn State, he played for North Carolina as a freshman in 2020-21 and missed the final 15 games of the season due to breaking his foot. Then while trying to make his return to action midway through his sophomore year, Johnson was battling patellar fat pad inflammation that caused him to miss time in his junior year. When he transferred to Penn State in 2023, he tore his patellar tendon causing him to miss multiple games. Then last season due to a heel stress fracture, a right wrist injury, a concussion and a broken right hand, he was limited to just 17 games in the 2024-25 season.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.In addition to Johnson’s on-court injuries, he has also been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and has “experienced family emergencies and mental health challenges” during his college career, according to the complaint.
The NCAA denied Johnson’s request because during the 2024-2025 season with Penn State basketball, he played in more than 30% of games, which is the limit to receive a medical hardship waiver. The NCAA hasn’t yet issued a decision on Johnson’s appeal. Johnson’s legal team, though, is seeking an injunction against the NCAA that would require it to “immediately issue a waiver” to allow him to play for Ohio State this season.
