Alex Steen’s longer-than-expected legal battle to return to the court has been resolved.

The Florida State forward earned a fifth season after Leon County circuit judge David Frank ruled in Steen’s favor on Monday afternoon. Steen played three seasons at Division II Florida Southern and then FSU in 2025-26.

He was arguing for the same opportunity granted to other athletes seeking a fifth season, including those at other state schools (like Miami’s Malik Reneau) as well as across the nation. The NCAA had decided its five-for-five eligibility rule grants a fifth season to all athletes, eliminating redshirts, but did not grandfather in athletes from the 2022 high school signing class.

Steen’s argument had legal precedent, and Frank ruled in his favor.

The 6-foot-9, 235-pound Steen averaged 6.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and shot 63.2 percent from the floor. He had practiced with the Seminoles in the summer and preseason, enrolled in classes for the fall semester and has been ready to compete in a fifth season.

Adding Steen to the roster gives the Seminoles even more height in a frontcourt that features 7-foot center Marcis Ponder, forwards Sebastian Rancik, Cooper Schwieger and Shon Abaev. FSU also has freshman forward Collin Paul.

Steen was held out of FSU’s exhibition win over Auburn at Birmingham last Wednesday. He has now been given the green light to play, beginning on Saturday in FSU’s exhibition against LSU at 1 p.m. (live stream on ACC Network Extra).

“He’s the type of kid that you want to build with,” FSU coach Luke Loucks said in September. “He gives everything he has to the program, to the community. He's a leader on and off the court. He's about the right stuff, and he helps you win games.

“When he's on the bench, he's like a kid at Christmas cheering for his teammates. I can't say enough positive things about Alex.”

Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a gift card at Alumni Hall.