Aces Rookie Justine Pissott Clarifies Stance on NCAA Eligibility Lawsuit
Las Vegas Aces rookie Justine Pissott has formally disputed her inclusion as a plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA, confirming to the IndyStar that she has no intention of returning to college basketball. The federal complaint, stemming from a Colorado injunction regarding the high school Class of 2022, could theoretically grant her an extra year of athletic eligibility, but the former Vanderbilt standout insists her complete focus remains on her professional career in the WonedDateTime.
The Origins of the Eligibility Complaint and Legal Scrutiny
The legal action at the center of the dispute, identified in court documents as Patterson v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, was initially filed in September 2025. According to reporting by the IndyStar, the complaint seeks to secure an additional year of athletic eligibility for athletes whose collegiate careers were impacted by pandemic-era disruptions and eligibility rules affecting the high school Class of 2022. Pissott’s name was added to the plaintiff list on November 10, 2025.
However, the rookie guard stated she was entirely unaware of her addition to the litigation until a social media post brought the filing back to public attention. Pissott told the IndyStar that she had no memory of signing a contract to join the lawsuit, noting that she first learned of her plaintiff status while receiving text messages from collegiate figures asking about her involvement.
Pissott previously sought an extra year of eligibility ahead of her senior season at Vanderbilt, a request that the NCAA denied. While she explored legal options at the time—including discussions regarding precedents set by former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia—she never formally retained counsel or pursued the matter further.
Commitment to the WNBA and the Las Vegas Aces
Selected 25th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Pissott began her professional career in Indianapolis before signing a standard contract with the Las Vegas Aces in early July 2026. Addressing speculation regarding her collegiate status, Pissott made her stance unequivocal to the IndyStar: “I do not have any inkling of going back to college. I love Vanderbilt, I love the coaches, but Las Vegas is where I want to be.”
Pissott also emphasized that she wanted to reassure her current franchise of her dedication. “I don’t want the Aces to think that I don’t want to be where I’m at, because this is where I want to be. My dream was to play in the WNBA. Now I’m here. I don’t want to damage that,” she stated, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
On the court, Pissott made an immediate splash during her debut with Las Vegas, sinking five three-pointers in a historic performance. According to league statistics highlighted by Sports Illustrated, she maintains an elite 43.8% shooting mark from beyond the arc this season.
Next Steps in the Legal Resolution
Pissott confirmed she is actively working to have her name removed from the Patterson complaint. According to her discussions with JoAnna B. Adkisson, one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs, the lawsuit centers primarily on broader financial and structural circumstances rather than individual returns to collegiate athletics. Pissott reiterated that her sole objective is establishing her footing in the WNBA.
As the legal process unfolds and the Aces continue their campaign, Pissott remains focused on contributing whenever called upon by the coaching staff.