This afternoon, the State of Ohio led by attorney general Dave Yost, was granted a two-week temporary restraining order in regard to the NCAA two-time transfer rule. The court case started this morning in federal court that feature appearances from Men’s Basketball player Jamille Reynolds, West Virginia Basketball player Raequan Battle, and Miami Ohio football player Maddox Kopp.
The restraining order is granted for 14 days with a full injunction hearing slated for December 27th, 2023. What does that mean for Jamille Reynolds you may ask. It means the big man is allowed to compete in competitions for the next 14 days with no penalty while the full injunction takes place later this month.
Reynolds was one of three players, who testified in court Wednesday morning. Reynolds, was asked about his time in Philadelphia at Temple University and why he decided to transfer for the second time, along with his decision to come to Cincinnati.
“I would say my time at Temple was one of the worst things I have ever went through,” said Reynolds. “I didn’t feel safe. My first week I met a couple guys on the team went out for dinner. As we left the restaurant there was this drunk guy and a small altercation. He pulled a gun on us.”
Jamille Reynolds also noted to the judge via zoom that one morning heading to an early workout with his manager who was eventually late quickly changed everything. Reynolds told the court via zoom, that when his manager finally walked through the doors that morning for the workout, his manager was crying, and told Reynolds about how he was just robbed prior to coming to that workout. Reynolds also mentioned about how a friend of his close to the Temple program was also robbed and later killed and that he didn’t feel safe at Temple University.
Jamille Reynolds was asked about what this has been like as he has had to sit out while he waits for the NCAA to respond on his waiver appeal, which Wes Miller stated last night following the Bearcats 85-53 victory over Bryant, that the University of Cincinnati, has yet to receive any sort of update following his appeal. “This is my life that has been taken away from me,” Reynolds told the court.
However, now that the temporary restraining order has been granted for the next 14 days, it means Reynolds is immediately eligible to play for the Bearcats on Saturday vs Dayton and the next 14 days without repercussions. Now, does that mean he will play on Saturday vs Dayton, that is something that the University and the current basketball staff will have discuss as the news is still very fresh following the court’s decision moments ago.
On the other hand, it is substantial news for the Bearcats as they will now be at full strength for the first time all season with Reynolds cleared to play for the next 14 days.
Although, this is great news, this is only the beginning of a potential massive shift in all of college athletics and a big reason why, is because of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. So, until then, the big man is cleared to play for the Bearcats but there is still a lot to unpack or not weather the big man will be on the court come Saturday night when the Bearcats take on the Dayton Flyers at Heritage Bank Arena.
Although, this matter is far from over as the next day in trial will be set for December 27th, 2023, which will potentially decide whether this restraining order becomes permanent or not. We will continue to follow this situation and provide an in-depth report after that next court appearance, but this is what we know so far following the initial hearing that took place in federal court this morning.
