Jalen Washington has hit another roadblock in his attempt to land another year of eligibility and play for Tennessee basketball this season.
The Tennessee Supreme Court on Oct. 16 denied Washington's request for review of the Davidson County Chancery Court's order to stay a temporary injunction that allowed him to transfer to UT, despite exhausting his college eligibility.
"Upon consideration of all the relevant factors, the Court concludes that, at this stage of the proceedings, Plaintiffs have not shown a likelihood of success on their claim that the NCAA breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing," court documents said.
The 6-foot-10 Washington has been able to practice with the Vols but he is still ineligible to play in games. He did not appear in the Vols' exhibition loss to Xavier on Oct. 15.
Washington is suing the NCAA to challenge its application of the new age-based eligibility rules. After playing four seasons in four years for North Carolina and Vanderbilt, Washington exhausted his eligibility before the NCAA made rule changes allowing athletes to play five seasons from the date of their college enrollment or 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
Washington had initially been granted a temporary injunction, allowing him to transfer and enroll at UT, on July 31. But on Aug. 26, the NCAA appealed the injunction and was granted a stay by the Tennessee Court of Appeals, making Washington ineligible again.
The only way Washington can play for the Vols this season is if he wins his lawsuit vs. the NCAA.
Washington was one of the better defensive centers in the SEC for Vanderbilt last season, averaging career-highs in points (8.9), rebounds (5.6) and blocks (1.3) per game. He would be the Vols' best post player if he's eligible.
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Update on Jalen Washington, eligibility for Tennessee basketball after new ruling