So far in the 2023-24 season, the NCAA has approved only 18% of multi-year transfers.
For the 2023-24 school year, the NCAA is finally cracking down on multiple-time transfers across the country. According to CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein, the NCAA has only approved 18% of waiver requests for athletes who want to be instantly eligible in their respective sports.
Beginning in 2021, the NCAA granted student-athletes a free transfer to use in their collegiate careers. Since then, players all around the country have moved two, three, and even four times. The NCAA has attempted to figure out how to handle multiple-time transfers. The NCAA said this summer that they will be more stringent in the waiver procedure for anyone transferring for the second time.
Over the last eight months, West Virginia's basketball team has had a difficult time clearing waivers. After transferring in late October, WVU G Jose Perez had his waiver and appeal refused last season. Perez is expected to play a significant role for the Mountaineers in his last year of college basketball after a lengthy offseason. Omar Silverio, Perez's childhood friend, was not as lucky, as the NCAA ended his collegiate career on August 10. After transferring many times and leaving Manhattan during the academic year, Silverio required a waiver. The NCAA did not provide Silverio with a detailed explanation for the waiver denial.
WVU still has two players on their roster who require waiver clearance. Transfer guards RaeQuan Battle and Noah Farrakhan will need an NCAA waiver to play in the 2023-24 season. If not, they will have to sit out until they may play for West Virginia.
Battle has transferred as an undergraduate student-athlete many times and will not be a graduate transfer after this summer session. West Virginia believes Battle has a compelling enough motive to play this season. While Battle and West Virginia University await the NCAA's judgment, the Montana State transfer can continue to train with the team.
Battle transferred from Montana State in April, when he averaged 17.7 points on 47% shooting. Battle led Montana State to the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated 3-seed Kansas State in the first round. Battle and the Bobcats were defeated, but the current Mountaineer led the way with 27 points.
