Reported NCAA Transfer Approval Would Free Nike Sibande to Play This Season

The NCAA has been criticized heavily over the last couple months by national voices such as Jay Bilas and Jeff Goodman for their handling of basketball transfers.

Instead of granting every player the avenue to transfer since this is a “free” year in terms of scholarship usage, the NCAA has denied certain players the right to be eligible this season after transferring, namely Pitt guard Nike Sibande.

Sibande’s waiver to be eligible after transferring to Pitt from Miami (OH) was denied by the NCAA in September, which Jeff Capel and the Panthers immediately appealed. They are still awaiting word back from the NCAA on that appeal. The original waiver was denied because the Miami basketball program contested the transfer, which is rarely done.

However, Pitt might be about to catch a break which would supercede having to wait on a ruling on their appeal.

College Basketball Insider Jeff Goodman is reporting that the basketball oversight committee is expected to recommend that the NCAA approve all transfers this season. And that the decision could happen in the next few weeks.

Sources: The basketball oversight committee expected to recommend that the NCAA allow ALL transfers to get waiver to play this season. This would be proposed to the D-1 Council — which next meets on Dec. 16. There is a chance it could be voted on prior to the 16th.

LONG OVERDUE

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 3, 2020

This would give immediate eligibility to Sibande, who would be a big addition both offensively and defensively to the Panthers guard/wing rotation.