When Tyon Grant-Foster entered the transfer portal in April, his next move was supposed to be the final chapter of a comeback story that had already defied belief. However, by late May, the 6-foot-7 guard had committed to Mark Few’s Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Foster spent his summer split between Kansas City and Phoenix, waiting on the NCAA to clear his eligibility. But on Friday afternoon, the news finally broke. Grant-Foster’s appeal was denied. Now, as the legal process moves toward a Thursday injunction hearing in Spokane County, the focus has shifted from paperwork.
In fact, Few himself has decided to speak out about the NCAA’s decision on Grant-Foster’s situation.
Why is Mark Few supporting Tyon Grant-Foster, saying the NCAA is “wrong on this one”?
After Gonzaga’s exhibition win over Northwest, Few took to the podium and unloaded his frustration about Grant-Foster’s situation. “It’s just been a really, really tough deal,” Few began. “He’s an incredible guy. He’s got an incredible story.” Few is not exaggerating either.
Grant-Foster’s story is nothing short of a sports drama. He began his career in 2018 at Indian Hills Community College, where he became one of the most sought-after JUCO stars in the nation. Soon after, he joined University of Kansas in 2020.
However, the Kansas stint was cut short by the pandemic. When he transferred to DePaul the following season, tragedy struck. Grant-Foster collapsed during the Blue Demons opener and went into cardiac arrest. His heart stopped not once, but twice.
Mark Few on Tyon Grant-Foster’s waiver being denied:
“It’s just been a really tough deal… I’ve never seen a waiver situation as unique as this. He literally died twice.”pic.twitter.com/HR1TxHezMC
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) October 20, 2025
It was only after 16 months that he was cleared to play. In fact, Few reminded the world of that moment. “He literally died,” Few said, pausing as reporters went silent. “He didn’t have two years of basketball. He’s put everything into this sport; it means the world to him.”
After two heart surgeries and nearly two full seasons away from the court, Grant-Foster returned to Grand Canyon University, where he became a comeback sensation. He averaged 20 points per game, leading the Antelopes to their first NCAA Tournament win in school history.
Yet, despite everything, the NCAA ruled that his “five-year clock” had expired, citing his initial enrollment in 2018. Few called it like he saw it, saying, “They’ve got a tough gig, but they’re just wrong on this one.” While Few is all for Grant-Foster’s return, the fandom seems to have an entirely different view.
Why is the Gonzaga Fandom Enraged With Tyon Grant-Foster?
Some fans applauded Gonzaga’s head coach for standing by his guy, writing, “I’m hoping for the best for this young man, but maybe it’s not safe for him to play.” Meanwhile, others wrote, “I’m torn here.” Still, a large part of the fandom was less sympathetic and seem to believe that “the NCAA made the right call with this one.”
“HES 26… WTF ARE WE DOING HERE,” one fan wrote on X. Another echoing the sentiment added, “I’d never heard of the guy, so I looked him up… Dude will be 26 for the tournament in March. We gotta stop with this.”
Still, context matters, and that’s precisely what Few and Gonzaga are fighting to make clear. Unlike some ‘super seniors,’ Grant-Foster’s missing years weren’t due to redshirts or academic choices. They were taken from him by a near-death experience.
I’d never heard of the guy, so I looked him up… Dude will be 26 for the tournament in March. We gotta stop with this.
— Turd Ferguson (@TurdFerg1989) October 20, 2025
Grant-Foster’s legal team argues that the NCAA’s rigid five-year rule fails to account for the human side of the story. Still, the fandom did not stop there. “He’s been in college for seven years,” one comment read.
Meanwhile, another fan piling on said, “The COVID year screwed everything up. We’ve got guys in their sixth or seventh year of college sports.” Despite what the fandom has to say, not all hope is lost just yet for Grant-Foster.
What’s next for Grant-Foster and Gonzaga?
Spokane attorney Carl Oreskovich has filed for a preliminary injunction allowing Grant-Foster to play while the case proceeds. If the injunction is granted, Grant-Foster could rejoin Gonzaga’s active roster immediately, even as the NCAA case unfolds.
“It’s been tough,” Few said. “We submitted that waiver way back in June. Now, he really doesn’t have any options if this doesn’t come through.” As the court date nears, the question isn’t whether the NCAA followed the rules; it’s whether they understood the man behind them.
