VCU transfer and Richmond native, Joe Bamisile, announced the NCAA has denied his immediate eligibility for this upcoming season. A Monacan High school product, Bamisile explained his decision to return home, which some speculated could earn him a hardship waiver that would grant him immediate eligibility for this upcoming season.
“I am very sad to announce that the NCAA denied my waiver to play basketball this year at VCU,” Bamisile said. “From an outsider perspective, I am another collegiate student-athlete moving from school-to-school. In reality, I transferred home to VCU because my father had open heart surgery, and since then has survived tw major life-threatening scares. This past year, the NCAA approved my waiver to participate at the University of Oklahoma because at my previous institution (George Washington University), I struggled with severe anxiety and self-isolation, and I needed a new environment to address my mental health challenges.”
Transfers only recently were allowed immediate eligibility following their first transfer. Bamisile is on his fourth school in as many years, coming to VCU after stints at Oklahoma, George Washington and Virginia Tech where the former top-100 recruit started his college career.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas blasted the NCAA’s decision, taking to Twitter to take the side of the rising senior guard.
“There is no legitimate reason to deny this transfer. Bamisile lives eight miles from VCU. Does the NCAA believe his father is faking his illness and Bamisile is faking his mental health issues? The NCAA should not be in this business.”
Bamisile averaged just 11.4 minutes per game this past season at Oklahoma, chipping in 3.95 points per game for the Sooners in his one year of Big 12 action after averaging 16.3 with the George Washington Colonials two seasons ago in the Atlantic 10. He is one of a slew of new faces to come to VCU this offseason following a coaching change that saw the departure of former Rams coach, Mike Rhoades, and the arrival of new Head Coach, Ryan Odom.
“I am very sad to announce that the NCAA denied my waiver to play basketball this year at VCU,” Bamisile said. “From an outsider perspective, I am another collegiate student-athlete moving from school-to-school. In reality, I transferred home to VCU because my father had open heart surgery, and since then has survived tw major life-threatening scares. This past year, the NCAA approved my waiver to participate at the University of Oklahoma because at my previous institution (George Washington University), I struggled with severe anxiety and self-isolation, and I needed a new environment to address my mental health challenges.”
Transfers only recently were allowed immediate eligibility following their first transfer. Bamisile is on his fourth school in as many years, coming to VCU after stints at Oklahoma, George Washington and Virginia Tech where the former top-100 recruit started his college career.
ESPN’s Jay Bilas blasted the NCAA’s decision, taking to Twitter to take the side of the rising senior guard.
“There is no legitimate reason to deny this transfer. Bamisile lives eight miles from VCU. Does the NCAA believe his father is faking his illness and Bamisile is faking his mental health issues? The NCAA should not be in this business.”
Bamisile averaged just 11.4 minutes per game this past season at Oklahoma, chipping in 3.95 points per game for the Sooners in his one year of Big 12 action after averaging 16.3 with the George Washington Colonials two seasons ago in the Atlantic 10. He is one of a slew of new faces to come to VCU this offseason following a coaching change that saw the departure of former Rams coach, Mike Rhoades, and the arrival of new Head Coach, Ryan Odom.
