After a ruling earlier in the season that gave former JUCO athletes an extra year of eligibility opened the door for multiple Auburn men’s basketball players to return, there’s now some optimism that the same could be true for former Division II players.

That optimism came after Wisconsin football player Nyzier Fourqurean filed a lawsuit against the NCAA to give him an extra year of eligibility due to him starting his career at Division II Grand Valley State. Fourqurean was granted a preliminary injunction, allowing him to play for Wisconsin this season.

Back at Auburn, senior forward Chaney Johnson is in his final year of eligibility, but just his second at Auburn after starting his college basketball career at Division II Alabama-Huntsville.

He played three seasons in Division II, making this season his fifth in college basketball. He got a fifth season by utilizing his extra year granted to athletes who played during 2020-2021 academic year altered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the ruling in Fourqurean’s favor, there’s precedent for Johnson to be granted another year.

“We’re certainly going to go through the process about seeing whether or not Chaney would be eligible for another year,” Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl said when asked if Johnson was looking into trying to return. “We’re definitely going to go through the process.”

Johnson is averaging 10.4 points and 5.1 rebounds this season, significant increases from his first season at Auburn. He averaged 4.7 points and 3.4 rebounds during the 2023-2024 campaign, playing just 15.4 minutes per game.

“Chaney is a great American story. Started from humble beginnings,” Pearl said after Auburn’s win over Ole Miss Wednesday. “It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish. And you know, hard work won’t guarantee success, but without hard work, I guarantee you won’t have success. It’s your choice. Chaney Johnson has chosen to work hard.”

If Johson is able to return, he could potentially join former JUCO players Chad Baker-Mazara and Denver Jones for a third year on the Plains, with all three being significant contributors to the current team.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m