Caden Powell Granted Extra Year, Cleared to Return for Baylor in 2026-27

Baylor basketball big man Caden Powell has been granted an extra year of eligibility and will be able to suit up for the Bears during the 2026-27 season, according to a recent post on Powell’s social media.

Powell and 14 other Division I college basketball players were granted a preliminary injunction by an Ohio judge recently after filing a lawsuit against the NCAA on June 26.

The NCAA has approved an age-based eligibility model, allowing athletes to compete in their sport for five years, starting from their high school graduation or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

This change eliminates redshirt seasons and eligibility waivers, except in rare circumstances, and goes into effect in the 2026-27 athletic year. Powell and the 14 other players, however, were fourth-year seniors in 2025-26 and didn’t have an opportunity to play a fifth season; hence, they filed a lawsuit to be able to play this upcoming year.

Originally from Waco, Texas, Powell played at Midway High School and started 63 games across his first three collegiate seasons at Wyoming and Rice. He transferred to Baylor last offseason and appeared in 34 games, including 20 starts, averaging 6.9 points (67.2 FG%), 6.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 24.4 minutes per game.

The Bears were incredibly thin at the center position last year as the 6-foot-9 Powell played the bulk of the minutes, with Juslin Bodo Bodo and Mayo Soyoye both redshirting. For 2026-27, Bodo Bodo (6-foot-10) and Soyoye (6-foot-10) are returning, and UAB transfer Evan Chatman (6-foot-8) can play the five, if necessary.

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