BREAKING NEWS: NCAA Grants Eligibility Waivers to Indiana Hoosiers’ Duo Luke Goode and Anthony Leal — Set to Return for 2025-26 Season
In a major win for Indiana basketball, the NCAA has officially granted waiver eligibility to Luke Goode and Anthony Leal, allowing both players to return for the 2025–26 college basketball season. The decision follows a months-long appeal process by Indiana University’s compliance staff, which successfully argued that both athletes faced unique circumstances warranting an additional year of eligibility.
This ruling is a critical development for the Hoosiers, as head coach Mike Woodson’s program gains two experienced veterans who are expected to provide leadership, defensive intensity, and invaluable locker room presence. The appeal centered around a combination of injury disruptions, COVID-era eligibility complexities, and documented academic milestones, all of which helped sway the NCAA in Indiana’s favor.
Luke Goode, a sharpshooting wing who originally transferred from Illinois in 2024, missed significant time during the 2023–24 season due to a recurring foot injury that limited his minutes and practice time. He bounced back in 2024–25, becoming a reliable 3-and-D contributor for the Hoosiers, averaging 8.7 points per game while shooting 41% from beyond the arc. His perimeter shooting and veteran poise were pivotal in Indiana’s late-season run to the Big Ten semifinals.
Anthony Leal, the Bloomington native and fan-favorite, has been a steady presence in the Indiana program since 2020. Known for his defensive hustle and selfless play, Leal’s eligibility was less about injuries and more about academic and leadership contributions. Indiana’s appeal emphasized Leal’s dual role as a team mentor and his completion of a double major while maintaining exemplary academic standing. The NCAA also weighed the irregular impact of the COVID-shortened 2020–21 season on his development.
Woodson, speaking at an impromptu press conference outside Assembly Hall, expressed his gratitude for the decision: “This is a great day for Indiana basketball. Luke and Anthony represent everything that’s good about college athletics—resilience, integrity, and heart. Their return gives us continuity, experience, and the kind of leadership that wins games in March.”
The impact of this decision cannot be overstated. With Goode and Leal returning, Indiana’s projected 2025–26 roster now features a potent mix of veteran savvy and young talent, including McDonald’s All-American point guard recruit Jalen Brewer and rising sophomore center Malik Crenshaw. Analysts are already projecting the Hoosiers as a preseason Top 15 team, with Big Ten title aspirations now very much within reach.
Social media lit up in response to the news, with Hoosier Nation erupting in celebration. Goode posted a simple “Let’s run it back. #UnfinishedBusiness” on X (formerly Twitter), while Leal added, “One more year. For the fans. For the jersey. For the love. #HoosierForLife.”
For Indiana basketball, this is more than just a personnel boost—it’s a cultural reinforcement. With Goode and Leal returning, the Hoosiers are poised to blend tradition, talent, and tenacity in a season that now carries national implications.
The countdown to November in Bloomington has officially begun.
