A potential addition to the Ohio State men’s basketball team is suing the NCAA after his request for a medical hardship waiver was denied.
Puff Johnson, who previously played for Penn State and North Carolina, filed a legal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio against the NCAA on Wednesday. Johnson is seeking the opportunity to play for Ohio State this season after his request for a medical hardship waiver was denied.
According to the complaint, which was shared publicly by attorney Mit Winter, Johnson – who enrolled at Ohio State in July – sought a medical hardship waiver in conjunction with Ohio State to play for the Buckeyes this season. While Johnson has not been formally added to Ohio State’s roster, the complaint states that Johnson was offered a scholarship to play for the Buckeyes.
Johnson argues that he should be eligible for a medical hardship waiver due to a multitude of injuries he suffered over the past five years. He alleges that the denial of his waiver violates the Sherman Antitrust Act as well as Ohio’s Valentine Act.
As a freshman at North Carolina in 2020-21, Johnson suffered a broken foot that “severely limited his participation.” After returning to competition midway through his sophomore season, Johnson battled patellar fat pad inflammation that caused him to miss time in his junior season.
Johnson tore his patellar tendon after transferring to Penn State in 2023, causing him to miss multiple games. He was limited to 17 games for Penn State last season due to a heel stress fracture, a right wrist injury, a concussion and a broken right hand.
In addition to his physical injuries, Johnson has also been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and has “experienced family emergencies and mental health challenges” during his college career, according to the complaint.
The NCAA denied Johnson’s request because he played in more than 30% of Penn State’s games, the limit to receive a medical hardship waiver, during the 2024-25 season. Johnson and Ohio State “timely appealed the NCAA’s denial, acknowledging that Johnson appeared in more than thirty percent (30%) of Penn State’s games but emphasizing the extraordinary and extenuating medical circumstances that characterized his 2024–2025 season.” The appeal stated that Johnson’s wrist injury was misdiagnosed and that he should not have been cleared to return to play.
Collectively, Johnson has played in 114 games over the past five years, using the fifth year of eligibility all athletes received due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 to play for Penn State last season. That said, the complaint argues that Johnson should be eligible for a medical hardship year because he missed 54 total games over those five years due to his injuries.
The NCAA has not yet issued a decision on Johnson’s appeal. However, Johnson is seeking an injunction against the NCAA that would require it to “immediately issue a waiver” to allow him to play for Ohio State this season.
“Unless his eligibility is immediately clarified and restored, Johnson will be irreparably harmed by missing games, practices, and exposure opportunities that cannot be recovered as the season begins,” the complaint states. “Because each missed contest permanently reduces Johnson’s opportunities for athletic competition, professional development, and contractual NIL earnings, prompt judicial intervention is necessary. Accordingly, Johnson seeks expedited consideration of his claims and emergency injunctive relief to ensure his eligibility determination is resolved prior to him missing any further competitions in the 2025-2026 season.”
Should Johnson receive an additional year of eligibility, Ohio State would have an available spot for him on its roster, as the Buckeyes currently have only 14 players, one below the roster limit of 15. The 6-foot-8, 205-pound guard could potentially be an asset for the Buckeyes, as he averaged 10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in his 17 games for Penn State last season.
As things currently stand, however, Johnson – who turned 25 last month – remains ineligible to play for the Buckeyes unless he wins his appeal or his request for immediate relief is granted.
