Back in November, former Penn State basketball player Donovan “Puff” Johnson sued 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. 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.
Johnson then refiled in state court January 15.
Today, a state judge in the court of common pleas in Franklin County, Ohio, granted the temporary restraining order on Friday after a refiling.
Judge Sheryl K. Munson’s order allows Johnson to play ahead of a hearing scheduled for January 30.
“Johnson has demonstrated that he will suffer irreparable injury if a temporary restraining order is not issued, including the imminent and permanent loss of his final collegiate season at The Ohio State University, as well as loss of development opportunities, exposure, and associated NIL value, harms that are incalculable and cannot be remedied by money damages,” the order reads.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Ohio State coach, Jake Diebler, also commented on the legal win Friday: “We’re excited for Puff to join our program. This has been a long process for he and his family. We’re happy for them and are looking forward to him getting on the court.”
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.
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.
