Former SMU Women’s Basketball Player Files Lawsuit Against NCAA Over Transfer Portal Violations

In the past, several lawsuits have challenged the NCAA transfer rules. Now, one case has the potential to shift the current policy paradigm, as former SMU women’s basketball player Kyla Deck has challenged the NCAA and SMU, alleging that the current rules violate several federal antitrust laws.

“A former SMU women’s basketball player sued the NCAA and SMU, arguing that the transfer portal window violated federal antitrust laws,” read Front Office Sports’ update X on August 20 as they covered this extensively.

Deck has applied for an injunction vis-à-vis the NCAA’s transfer portal restrictions and has also asked for damages. This is after she was recently informed that she no longer had a spot on the team for the upcoming season.

The case assumes significance as, if Deck is successful, it could set the precedent for other players as well in the future.

After a season-ending injury during her senior year, Deck earned a fifth year but skipped the transfer portal deadline because she initially planned to remain at SMU.

Then the situation changed. SMU reportedly told Deck she no longer had a roster spot, but NCAA rules had already closed the transfer window, leaving her unable to enter the portal and pursue other Division I opportunities.

“Deck will lose her eligibility to complete her collegiate athletic career under the same rules as her teammates to whom the Transfer Notification Period and the new Five-Year Eligibility Rule applied following the 2025-2026 season,” read an excerpt in the complaint, as per Front Office Sports.

Excerpts of Deck’s 21-page complaint focus on her losing the ability to complete her collegiate career, and also significant financial damages due to SMU and the NCAA.

“In turn, Deck will lose the scholarship and other opportunities that would have been available to her as she strives to complete her degree. Deck will also lose the significant Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation she would receive from playing in the 2026-2027 season.”

Many players in Deck’s position found themselves eligible to pay for a 5th year in the NCAA after the ruling in Wisne vs. NCAA.

Players who had completed four years in the competition were now eligible to play in the 5th year, and had five years to complete their five seasons, starting from their 19th birthday or when they entered college.

However, the NCAA’s “ghost transfer” rule could prevent this from happening, and that is what Deck has challenged. The rules basically implied that any player who didn’t put their name in the transfer portal during the 2025–26 transfer window couldn’t transfer afterward.

This rule was designed to prevent late or off-window transfers and constant roster churn. Programs that roster or play athletes who missed the official portal window can face severe penalties, including a 50% head-coach suspension and a 20% sport-budget fine.

This affected Deck’s ability to play, as per her, as she did not apply for her name to be in the transfer portal, as she wanted to stay at SMU.

So it remains to be seen what the outcome of this case will be and its implications for the rest of the league and players.

The Mustangs Are Rebuilding After A Disappointing Season

The Mustangs finished the 2025-26 season with a far from ideal 9-21 record. Head coach Adia Barnes, fully recognizing the need for additions and an overhaul, has made several roster changes.

Their roster has now seen significant churn, as they have signed 10 new players via the transfer portal while parting ways with 9 players.

Notable additions include Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Kinsea Grimes, CAA Defensive Player of the Year Grace Ezebilo, and Pitt transfer Theresa Hagans Jr. Also, guard Zahra King returns after a breakout freshman season.

Barnes has made additions to her coaching staff as well, adding former Rutgers head coach Coquese Washington as an assistant coach, alongside new assistant Amy Pryor.

Going into her second year, Barnes will hope that a team built around key players like Zahra King, Paulina Paris, Anaya Brown, and Miriam Ibezim is able to turn the results in their favor.

The Mustangs may be rebuilding on the court, but Deck’s case could force a bigger rebuild off it. If she wins, the NCAA’s transfer-window rules could face a major challenge.

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