Oklahoma State guard Kashie Natt is officially back on the floor, at least for now. On Monday, July 6, 2026, a Payne County judge granted an emergency temporary restraining order that lets Natt resume full team activities, including competition, while he challenges the NCAA in court. The ruling pauses the NCAA’s June 24 denial of his eligibility and keeps him available for the Cowboys as the legal fight plays out.
Judge Grants Emergency Restraining Order
Payne County Judge John Canavan signed off on the order after concluding that Natt had shown a likelihood of success on one or more of his legal claims and that he would face immediate, irreparable harm without court intervention, according to News On 6. The temporary restraining order blocks the NCAA from enforcing its June 24 eligibility decision, prevents the association from issuing penalties or sanctions against Oklahoma State related to Natt’s participation, and notes that the school submitted both a season-of-competition waiver and an extension-of-eligibility waiver for him on June 2.
Why He Went To Court
Natt turned to the courts after the NCAA canceled those waivers, a step that came after the association determined he had already competed during the 2025-26 academic year under Division I relief adopted in December 2024, as reported by The Oklahoman. His legal team argues that instead of giving Natt the individualized review Oklahoma State requested, the NCAA applied a broad policy, and they are asking for an injunction that would allow him to fully prepare and play for the upcoming season.
Natt’s Background And What He Brings
The 6-foot-3 guard arrives in Stillwater after a standout season at Sam Houston, where he averaged about 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and two steals per game and earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors, according to Oklahoma State Athletics. Before his time at Sam Houston, Natt starred at LSU-Alexandria and was named the 2025 NAIA Player of the Year, a resume that gives first-year OSU coach Steve Lutz a proven defender and rebounder if Natt remains on the court.
Legal Precedent And Next Steps
Courts have been more willing in recent years to step into eligibility battles, issuing injunctions that let athletes compete while lawsuits wind through the system. A recent example is a June order restoring Northwestern center Jackson Carsello’s eligibility for the 2026 season, as reported by NBC Sports. In Natt’s case, the Payne County court has signaled that an expedited hearing will be set on his request for a permanent injunction, and the temporary restraining order will stay in place while the matter remains in front of the judge, according to News On 6.
What This Means For Oklahoma State
If the order holds, Natt gives Oklahoma State a significant defensive presence and added depth on a roster that has been heavily reshaped through the transfer portal. School officials and coach Steve Lutz have said the program will stand behind him throughout the legal process. The case also puts a spotlight on how the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility framework is already generating legal challenges that could influence how rules are interpreted and applied for players across the country.
