Sedona Prince is embarking on the final chapter of her college basketball journey as she begins her seventh year. Known for her impactful viral video from the NCAA Tournament bubble in 2021 and her pivotal role in a major antitrust lawsuit that promises to benefit college athletes financially, Prince’s influence extends far beyond the hardwood. If she can also help Texas Christian University (TCU) achieve success on the court this season, it will add to her already significant contributions.
Now at 24 years old, Prince has emerged as one of the lead plaintiffs in the House vs. NCAA lawsuit, which culminated in a preliminary $2.8 billion settlement approved by a federal judge. This agreement, once finalized, will enable colleges to compensate their athletes directly, potentially starting next fall, and includes millions earmarked for damages. Prince expressed her excitement about the progress, stating, “It’s a big win, something we’ve been trying for, for a long time. Major step forward. There’s a lot to be done going forward. It’s more than we ever could have asked for and a step in the right direction.”
Prince’s path has been quite eventful, beginning her career in 2018 at Texas before transferring to Oregon after suffering a leg injury while representing USA Basketball. While with the Ducks, her video highlighting the inequities in facilities and food provided to women versus men during the NCAA Tournament went viral. This exposed the discrepancies and led to significant changes within the realm of women’s basketball. Notably, The New York Times referred to it as “The Video That Changed the N.C.A.A.” in the following year. Reflecting on those moments, Prince noted, “Making those changes is incredible and I hope it continues to be that way.”
In June 2020, at just 20 years old, Prince, alongside former Arizona State swimmer Grant House, became a key figure in the antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA and its major conferences. They aimed to dismantle regulations restricting athlete compensation linked to their names, images, and likenesses. The NCAA subsequently opened the doors to the NIL era in college sports a year later. Looking back, she reflected, “I didn’t know that this lawsuit would benefit in any capacity of financial gain for anyone. My biggest goal was to create change.”
Prince was also involved in a federal suit alongside other collegiate athletes, challenging the NCAA’s prohibition on athlete compensation. The settlement reached in May seeks to address their concerns effectively. She envisions a future where schools can compensate athletes based on their market value, predicting an imminent shift in the landscape of college athletics. “NIL was started as much different concept. Now, it’s morphing into a salary for student-athletes,” she observed.
Prince had a challenging time at Oregon, dealing with an elbow injury that necessitated reconstructive surgery. After a stint in Los Angeles, contemplating the end of her college career, she saw that Mark Campbell, an assistant at Oregon, had taken the head coaching position at TCU. After a series of formalities, she managed to enroll just as her season was disrupted by a broken finger, sidelining her for almost two months. Despite these setbacks, she averaged 19.7 points and 9.7 rebounds over 21 games in the previous season.
Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned how the NCAA informed her of one additional year of eligibility, which allowed her to continue playing. Prince has battled through various challenges and injuries, noting that despite playing in only 70 games over six years, a combination of redshirt seasons and an extra year due to COVID-19 has left her with the opportunity for seven eligible seasons. As she prepares for TCU’s season opener against Houston Christian, Prince is eager to make her mark. “Being the player I want to be on the court, I haven’t been able to show that yet,” she said, acknowledging her desire to shift her focus back to her performance on the court while continuing to advocate for change within the sport.
