​A group of Class of 2022 athletes seeking a fifth year of collegiate eligibility by way of the Kentucky court system notched its second major victory of the week Friday, Sept. 4. That’s when the Kentucky Court of Appeals denied the NCAA’s request to stay a temporary restraining order allowing the athletes to compete during the 2026-27 season, sending the matter to a three-judge panel. The lawsuit remains ongoing, but athletes such as Louisville basketball guard Seth Trimble and Kentucky football defensive back Alex Afari Jr. can suit up for their respective teams until told otherwise. The temporary restraining order under question was granted Aug. 21 to 13 athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Jefferson County Circuit Court. They are challenging the organization’s new age-based eligibility model, which gives athletes up to five years of competing at the collegiate level if they enroll no later than the academic year after their 19th birthday.On Wednesday, Sept. 2, Judge Brian Edwards allowed more than two dozen athletes, including Trimble and Afari, to join the lawsuit — extending the temporary restraining order to apply to them.Trimble committed to the Cardinals on Aug. 12 — in light of a July 31 ruling from a Colorado district court judge that greenlit a preliminary injunction granting all Class of 2022 athletes a fifth year of eligibility. Hours after he was introduced as a signee, however, a federal appeals court granted the NCAA’s request to stay the injunction, meaning the former North Carolina guard needed to take another route to see the court in 2026-27.Trimble totaled 992 points on 44% shooting across 129 appearances (45 starts) for the Tar Heels and earned All-ACC honorable mention status as a senior. In a statement when UofL announced his signing, coach Pat Kelsey said: “The opportunity to sign such a high-quality player and person with this much experience at this point in the year is certainly unique, but we know Seth will fit right in with what we have here in Louisville.”Trimble entered the NCAA transfer portal after his senior season ended. He appeared in five NBA Summer League games for the Washington Wizards but did not sign a pro contract.Afari appeared in 48 games (31 starts) across four seasons with the Wildcats — totaling 193 tackles, 26.5 of which resulted in a loss of yards. Will he see the field during UK’s season opener Saturday against Youngstown State at Kroger Field? During his appearance on the SEC’s coaches teleconference Wednesday, Will Stein said: “There’s still some things that have to happen, I think, for us to feel really confident about playing him.””We’re waiting for a few more things to be answered,” the coach added. “If those get answered, then we’ll proceed.”Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky court denies NCAA appeal of eligibility