{
  "id": 11085186,
  "title": "Experienced Gonzaga women return Ines Bettencourt after court ruling: 'It's a new energy'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/experienced-gonzaga-women-return-ines-bettencourt-after-court-ruling",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T02:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/experienced-gonzaga-women-return-ines-020500386.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ines Bettencourt, a key player for the Gonzaga women's basketball team, is set to return for the 2026-27 season after a court ruling granted her eligibility. The NCAA's new eligibility model allows players to play five seasons over a five-year window. Bettencourt, a Portugal native, joined a class action lawsuit and received a restraining order, allowing her to return to Gonzaga. She expressed excitement about her return, stating that the familiarity and support from her coaches and teammates will be a team strength. Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier is overjoyed to have Bettencourt back, calling her a professional and a great leader. The addition of Bettencourt, who will join 10 returners, is expected to boost the team's depth and competitiveness.",
  "summary": "Sep. 30—Expectations are going to be high for the Gonzaga women's basketball team in 2026-27. A late addition to the roster now may blow those expectations through the roof of McCarthey Athletic Center. The Zags were set to essentially return their entire team from 2025-26 with the exception of guard Ines Bettencourt, who graduated last spring. The NCAA's new five-years-to-play-five-seasons ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}