​If 2025-26 proved to be MJ Collins’ final college season, the 6-foot-4 guard would have departed with a strong finish. He averaged better than 17 points per game for a Utah State squad that secured an NCAA tournament win, underscoring what could have been a memorable swan song for his college basketball career. Yet that potential farewell might not end up being the last chapter of Collins’ collegiate journey. According to USA TODAY’s Cincinnati Enquirer, a Hamilton County judge granted an ruling allowing Collins and many other Division I athletes an extra year of eligibility, opening the door to another season of college basketball.
With an additional year on the horizon, Collins has already signaled his intent to suit up for the Cincinnati Bearcats. The move aligns neatly with the Bearcats’ new direction under head coach Jerrod Calhoun, who coached Collins last season at Utah State. The decision to continue his college career in Cincinnati seems like a natural progression, given the established familiarity between player and coach and the strategic fit within Cincinnati’s program.
However, it’s important to note that the ruling remains subject to appeal, which means the final landscape for Collins and the Bearcats could shift before the season tips off. The legal framework surrounding the decision could alter roster plans and eligibility timelines in the weeks leading up to college basketball’s return.
Collins’ journey through college basketball has already been eventful. He began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where he spent his first two seasons before transferring to Vanderbilt for his junior year. He then moved to Utah State for his senior season, where he emerged as a standout scorer. This latest development adds another twist to his career arc, as he now braces for the possibility of playing an additional season at Cincinnati.
To follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions, you can connect with College_Wire on X and College_Wires on Threads, and consider liking College Sports Wire’s page on social platforms for updates. This article originally appeared with the headline Star guard commits to Cincinnati hoops after eligibility ruling for better SEO, reflecting the evolving story surrounding Collins’ potential one-year reprise in college basketball.