Cincinnati Coach Wes Miller Expresses Concern Over NCAA’s Handling of Transfer Waivers
Cincinnati Bearcats basketball coach Wes Miller recently voiced his disappointment and concern over the NCAA’s handling of second-time transfer waivers. Miller announced that big men Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds were denied their waivers for immediate eligibility last week. The university has until Friday to submit an appeal.
Miller expressed his frustration with the NCAA’s handling of the waiver process, stating that his problem with the initial denials was not related to the one-time transfer rule or restrictions on second-time transfers. Instead, he criticized how the NCAA has handled the waiver process.
The NCAA tightened its policy regarding waivers for second-time transfers, including mental health waivers, in January. These changes have received increased attention in recent months due to high-profile cases like Tez Walker’s waiver process with North Carolina football. The NCAA granted Walker immediate eligibility earlier this month after receiving new information regarding his waiver.
Miller confirmed that both Reynolds and Bandaogo have submitted mental health waivers and believes that they meet the updated requirements for immediate eligibility. He emphasized that they followed the guidelines laid out by the NCAA and made life decisions based on that guidance.
Reynolds, a 6-foot-11 forward, transferred to Cincinnati after spending two seasons at UCF and last year at Temple. Bandaogo, a 7-foot center, joined Cincinnati after two seasons at Akron and one at Utah Valley. Both players would provide a significant competitive advantage for Cincinnati as they move up to the Big 12 conference.
Miller expressed concern about how the denials would affect the mental health of both athletes. He questioned how being denied eligibility after following the NCAA’s guidelines would impact their well-being. Miller’s comments reflect a larger debate surrounding transfer waivers and their impact on athletes’ mental health.
The NCAA’s waiver process requires requests to meet one of three criteria: mental health, exigent circumstances outside the student’s control, or assertions involving diagnosed education-impacting disabilities. Miller recognizes the need for some level of transfer restrictions but objects to the initial rulings on Reynolds and Bandaogo.
Miller hopes that the NCAA will approve Reynolds and Bandaogo on appeal, similar to what happened with Tez Walker. He acknowledged that playing without one or both of the big men would present challenges for the Bearcats but remains hopeful that they will be cleared to play.
Cincinnati’s basketball season is set to begin on November 6 against UIC. The team is preparing as if Reynolds and Bandaogo will be cleared, but the possibility of playing without them still looms. Miller and the Bearcats are optimistic that the NCAA will ultimately make the right decision and grant immediate eligibility to the two players.
In conclusion, Wes Miller’s concerns over the NCAA’s handling of transfer waivers highlight the ongoing debate surrounding this issue. The denials of Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds’ waivers for immediate eligibility have raised questions about the NCAA’s guidelines and their impact on athletes’ mental health. Miller and the Cincinnati Bearcats are hopeful that the NCAA will reconsider and grant eligibility to the two players, allowing them to contribute to the team’s success in their first season in the Big 12 conference.