CWNO Historical Archive: June 7, 2030

OIB Forced to Overturn Age Restrictions

Almost two years to the day after Dimitri Semenov filed a lawsuit against the OIB for his right to play before turning 21 years old, a court mandated that the OIB reduce its minimum playing age to 17, opening the door for talented basketball players to pursue careers in the OIB after completing high school.

June 7, 2030; Washington D.C.- Today, the United States High Court declared the Organization of International Basketball’s age and experience restrictions to be unlawful and told the league it must abolish the requirements before the upcoming draft and the start of the 2030-31 season. The decision comes almost two years after the original plaintiff in the case, Dimitri Semenov, filed the suit against the league. While Semenov was dropped from the case after he went missing on “The Night of a Thousand Fires”, dozens of players joined the lawsuit and forced it to the High Court. The final decision stated that “The Organization of International Basketball must allow any player that is at least 18 years of age at the time of its annual draft to be eligible for participation in the league”.

Just days before the 2028 OIB Draft, the OIB passed a requirement that all players be at least 21 years of age or have completed two years of collegiate basketball. Many saw the regulation as a way to accommodate and protect aging superstars while Semenov and his attorneys accused the OIB of conspiring to prevent a Russian player from “beginning his path to being the greatest player in basketball history” and “reducing his playing career by at least three years”. At the time, Semenov was 18 years old and expected to be the top pick in the 2028 Draft.

Cameron Simmons, a top prospect in this year’s draft who just recently turned 18, emerged from the courtroom with several other plaintiffs, smiles engulfing their faces. When asked about the verdict, Simmons said “I’m so happy about what this means for all of us that are here today. It’s been a dream for many of us to play in the OIB and now we’ll be able to realize that dream earlier than expected.”

Sonya Gutierrez, reigning President of the OIB, said “While this is not the outcome we hoped for or thought was in the best interests of the OIB, we’re happy that this will bring many talented players into the league, where we will ensure they receive proper mentoring and development.” Gutierrez did not expand on her comments as she left the courthouse.

The OIB Draft is scheduled for July 6th and many mock drafts that anticipated today’s rulings project eight to eleven newly-eligible players that are under the age of 21 to be selected in the first round.