The Bearcats got great news Monday evening after hearing the news that Bearcats center Aziz Bandaogo’s two-time transfer waiver has been officially approved by the NCAA. Bandaogo missed the first four games of the season after his waiver was initially denied and sent to an appeals process. Something that head coach Wes Miller had been very vocal about since they first got the news back in October that the initial waiver was denied.
Miller shared a personal moment involving Bearcats senior ad/men’s basketball trainer Bob Mangine and Aziz Bandaogo ahead of Sunday’s contest vs NKU. “I was in the locker room writing on the white board while the guys are out there warming up, and Aziz was sitting at his locker getting ready. Bob Mangine, our trainer walks in, I’m not trying to get any sympathy here,” Wes Miller said. “I told Bob, I haven’t been sleeping really well. Bob, is the greatest trainer, he cares more about everyone else wellbeing than any other human being I have been around, I don’t know what we would do without him, he takes care of all of us.”
“So, Bob walks in and asks, how’d you sleep last night? I said man, I didn’t sleep real well, and Aziz heard,’ said Miller. “Aziz said, coach you struggling to sleep. “Just recently, I am angry about your situation, and it keeps me up at night.” Aziz said, “Coach I haven’t slept since games started.” He said, “he wakes up every night and can’t fall back asleep.” “That just kills me,” said Wes Miller.
Monday evening that all changed for Bandaogo and the Bearcats after the NCAA announced that Bandaogo was ruled immediately eligible for the Bearcats after “New evidence emerged” that caused the NCAA to reverse its initial decision. However, the Bearcats are still waiting on a decision on their other big man in Jamille Reynolds, which the Bearcats are still awaiting the NCAA’s decision.
“I’m thrilled for Aziz Bandaogo and can’t wait to have him play for us here at the University of Cincinnati this season. This process has been incredibly tough on Aziz and our whole team and I’m glad he can now focus on being the best student-athlete he can be for the Bearcats,” said Wes Miller.
“We appreciate the NCAA for reconsidering his case, and ultimately coming to this decision.” Wes Miller said.” I want to thank John Cunningham, President Pinto and the many people at the University of Cincinnati who supported Aziz during this process. Unfortunately, we still have another young man who is waiting to hear back from the NCAA on his waiver for immediate eligibility. Our hope is the NCAA will do the right thing in Jamille Reynolds’ case, as well.
Statement from Aziz Bandaogo
The day I have long dreamt of has finally come. I am grateful that the NCAA has reconsidered my case and granted my immediate eligibility.” Bandaogo said. “I am most thankful for my teammates, our coaching staff, administration and fans for continuously supporting me. Ohio is my American home away from home. I cannot wait to make my Cincinnati debut and give this program everything I have. Go Bearcats!
Wes Miller spoke to the media this afternoon for the first time since the NCAA’s decision.
“We’re really relieved and excited that Aziz has his eligibility. This process has been really hard on him, and I think that has been the thing I have had to remind myself. “Wes Miller said. “It’s been hard on our team, program, but it has been really hard him first. We are really excited about that. There’s a lot of people to thank in this situation starting with President Pinto, and Athletics Director John Cunningham for supporting Aziz throughout this process. If I started going down the list, I’d miss some people. Drew Adams and Chad Dollar worked tirelessly to support these young men on a daily basis.”
“There’s been a team of people around Aziz, even the support from Ohio State general Dave Yost, we really appreciate him. I want to thank the NCAA for doing the right thing,” Wes Miller said. “However, it is bittersweet because we have a young man in Jamille Reynolds who really does deserve to be on that court and have the same opportunity Aziz has. We aren’t done yet, but this is a step in the right direction. I want to thank the NCAA and I hope they do the right thing for Jamille as well,”
Wes Miller told reporters earlier this this afternoon the Bearcats got the news as they finished practice Monday evening. “It was honestly real emotional.” Wes Miller said. “The amount of time and energy Drew Adams and Coach Dollar has put into this process, guys those unseen hours, it’s amazing the commitment they have made to this process. For those who didn’t know, Drew Adams and Associate Head Coach Chad Dollar have been the ones handling the majority of the procedural process of the waiver process with Bearcats players Jamille Reynolds and Aziz Bandaogo. “It hasn’t been rare that over the last 2-3 weeks for me to look up and see Coach Adams not in the gym. I know he is dealing with something along the line on these waiver situations.” Wes Miller told reporters this afternoon. “As soon as we broke the huddle Coach Adams came through the tunnel and I was just thinking maybe he was coming to give me an update on the phone call he just had.”
“Coach Adams pulled me aside and told me “Aziz is cleared to play.” “I got emotional and caught tears,” Wes Miller said. “My first thought was how happy I was for Aziz and how difficult this process has been for him. I sent the team to the locker room and pulled Aziz aside and told him. It was one of those cool moments you will remember as a coach because he was so thrilled.”
Wes Miller quickly pulled Aziz Bandaogo off to the side following practice to let him know the NCAA has reconsidered their initial decision and has granted him immediately eligible for the Bearcats. However, Wes Miller also made a strong effort to consolidate with Jamille Reynolds about the news before telling the entire Bearcats team shortly afterwards.
