This week has been quite a busy week for Bearcats fans as Wes Miller and players traveled to Kansas City, Missouri to take on Big 12 Media Days live from T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City. There was a lot of things to unpack this week so lets get right into it.
Wes Miller gives an update on Jamille Reynolds and Aziz Bandaogo’s waiver claims
“Aziz Bandaogo and Jamille Reynolds, two second time transfers who have waivers with the NCAA, were denied last week in the first round. They were denied at the staff level. I have learned more about this process than I thought I ever would or care too. Now we have to submit an appeal and it goes to an appeal committee at the NCAA.
Listen, we are very discouraged by the news last week. The issue at hand isn’t whether we should have restrictions on two-time transfers. That is not the issue with this situation. The issue at hand is we have two players, and many more out there in America, who were given guidance when making life decisions last spring to transfer. They were given guidance and guidelines by the NCAA as a play to play this season.
Both Aziz and Jamille felt like they met those requirements, made life decisions based on that. At the University of Cincinnati we feel as strongly as you possibly can that they have met those guidelines and standards that were laid out there by the NCAA. I expect them to be cleared because they meet those guidelines. Out of respect to both Jamille and Aziz, I won’t talk about their personal business, but I know the situation with both of them deeply, I know their waivers deeply. I understand the guidelines that were laid out. They meet those, it’s undeniable. So I do have hope that through the appeals process they will be cleared.
I am concerned about how it will affect them. Certainly, it will affect our team, but how will that affect young people who were led to believe something based on guidelines by a massive institution if they are not cleared. How will it affect their mental health? That concerns me on a much deeper level. So, we will keep you up to date, but I am hopeful they will be cleared through the next round of appeals.”
What Was Bandaogo and Reynolds initial reaction to the news
“They were very confused,” said Wes Miller. “That is the hard part about coaching, when you don’t have a good explanation for young people. From my standpoint you have to understand there is a process to this situation. All they hear is denial, and they don’t understand because they felt like there was guidelines laid out by the NCAA very clearly, and had standards to those said guidelines, it is very clear to them and anyone around them that they meet those said guidelines. So, when they hear the word denial, it scares and confuses them. I think it has been a very difficult four or five days for them. We talk about the importance of mental health, I am so proud of our department, I mean look at the things that Athletic Director John Cunningham has done with our department, Anisha Nickles, we have added positions in that area, these types of things affect young people in a real negative way, and I don’t think it’s necessary. I think they are hurt, confused as they try and understand this is the predicament, they are in based on the things laid out to them.”
The Appeal Process timeline
“The appeals have to be submitted by this Friday. Certainly, everything is being done on their end, with our assistants to put forth the proper appeal. I am urging Jamille and Aziz to trust the process. I can’t even imagine with what I know with the waivers that they don’t get cleared, but honestly with the news last week I get a little concerned,” said Wes Miller. “I want to believe the NCAA does the right thing. I do believe there is a time frame, I believe it is a week or two, I don’t know exactly off the top of my head. I don’t want to think of a world where they aren’t clear because I do believe they deserve it as young people. We are preparing as if they will be cleared because I think they deserve it based on the guidelines and standards that have been laid out. We are going to wrap our arms around those two regardless no matter the outcome. I want them to know we are going to do everything in our power to support them and get them on the court. I think there is a bigger picture to this situation, they came to the University of Cincinnati to be student athletes, they have careers ahead of them in basketball, taking a year away from them that they didn’t chose to have taken away, they made a choice based on guidelines and standards that were laid out to them. I cant imagine how that would affect their mental health short term, but their careers long-term.”
“We are not talking about a coaching career, let’s use mine for example, where you can coach for the rest of your life. Playing basketball has a time limit on it. It is hard to imagine them not being cleared, again not because this is a transfer debate, we gave young people guidelines, young people made decisions based on said guidelines, they meet those guidelines, as adults and people who consulted, they meet those guidelines, they deserve to play. I am going to think positively that we are going to do the right thing here. I don’t want to be a guy that’s just bashing but let’s do the right thing, The NCAA should clear them, and I expect them to be on the court this year.”
