NCAA reverses course, clears Cincy’s Bandaogo
Cincinnati center Aziz Bandaogo will be eligible to play immediately after new info emerged that prompted the NCAA to reevaluate his waiver appeal.Bandaogo, a transfer from Utah Valley, had had his preliminary mental health waiver and appeal rejected because he had moved two times. In the face of pending lawsuits set to be filed Monday afternoon, the NCAA first requested a three-hour extension and after that chosen to reverse course upon receiving brand-new details from the university. “It’s been an extremely tough month for me,”Bandaogo said in a declaration sent out to ESPN.” I wish to thank the University of Cincinnati, the administration, our president and athletic Director, my training staff and particularly my Head Coach Wes Miller, for being there for me and supporting me through the tough times I have actually been handling. I’m extremely grateful for all the support and effort. I can’t wait to formally step on the court and represent the University of Cincinnati. “The NCAA had stated its intent to punish waivers for two-time transfers, stating it would approve
them just if” student-athletes demonstrated and effectively documented a personal need for medical or security factors to depart their previous school.”Editor’s Picks
1 Related Cincinnati, 4-0 to begin the season, will host Georgia Tech on Wednesday for Bandaogo’s first game in a Bearcats uniform.
“We are happy that the NCAA has actually granted Aziz Bandaogo’s eligibility. It was the ideal choice– and, despite the fact that it was belated, we value the NCAA’s decision nevertheless,” Bandaogo’s legal team stated in a statement. “We might not be more grateful to Aziz, his family, Coach Miller and his wonderful assistant coaches, and to the Athletic Director and the University of Cincinnati for their desire to keep pressing to fix this wrong.
“We also want to thank Ohio Chief law officer Dave Yost and his team for their efforts in this matter.”
Bandaogo, a 7-foot junior from Senegal, balanced 11.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks last season. He ranked as the third-best shot-blocker in college basketball and was named WAC Defensive Gamer of the Year, assisting Utah Valley make the NIT Final 4, where it lost to UAB.An NBA Academy Africa alumnus, Bandaogo was one of the most improved players last season. He went from playing just 14 total minutes as a freshman to balancing 2.7 points in 12 minutes as a sophomore at Akron before exploding as a junior into one of the best big men in mid-major basketball.His coach at Utah
Valley, Mark Madsen, left for Cal in the offseason after his group’s outstanding season in which the Wolverines went 28-9 (15-3 in conference).
Bandaogo’s size, movement, rebounding and shot-blocking expertise need to help him make an immediate effect in the Big 12. He will have one more season of eligibility remaining after this one concludes.Jonathan Givony is an
NBA draft professional and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a personal hunting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and worldwide teams.