Walker Availability

[R.Kelly150]

The eligibility of Walker should be complete by now. I don’t remember anyone mentioning his issue with eligibility before this current post. It sounds like he should be one of the easier ones to decide upon...so hurry up NCAA. We need more frontline help than guard help. His participation right from game one is Much more needed than the guard help Shepard will provide if he is deemed eligible.

[TruePoint]

You have to love a process where one of the least trusted institutions in the country is making decisions with no transparency and no accountability. If there is one thing in life that gives me comfort, it’s an organization with billions of dollars in revenue deciding the futures of its unpaid laborers in a black box.

The rules are pretty black and white - If you transfer your must sit for one full year before playing again. While I think we all want consistency, I don’t think the NCAA owes it to anyone to provide color on a ruling that is an exception. Frankly, teams should be preparing teams/fans for the worst and working through these exceptions privately to tame expectations. However, I do agree that I’m not sure why the pace on these is so slow. I’m guessing it has more to do with back and forth, information collection, etc., but it’s still tedious.

Personally I’m in favor of less of these waivers, not more. If it were me, player is only granted waiver if coach leaves or is fired. If a kid gets thrown out of school, or voluntarily leaves a school, or wants to play closer to home, should be a high threshold to play immediately.

That’s the thing, though. They call it an exception, but it isn’t actually an exception. It has become the norm, and they did that. The NCAA created the expectation that waivers will be granted in certain types of situations, and teams and coaches have been operating based on that expectation. To me, it is about consistency. If we were starting from scratch, I’d probably agree with you that waivers should be rare, but they aren’t. It’s not fair or just to arbitrarily grant or not grant waivers with no apparent discernible criteria and without offering anything approaching accountability for those decisions.

[NYGFan_Section208]

You have to love a process where one of the least trusted institutions in the country is making decisions with no transparency and no accountability. If there is one thing in life that gives me comfort, it’s an organization with billions of dollars in revenue deciding the futures of its unpaid laborers in a black box.

The rules are pretty black and white - If you transfer your must sit for one full year before playing again. While I think we all want consistency, I don’t think the NCAA owes it to anyone to provide color on a ruling that is an exception. Frankly, teams should be preparing teams/fans for the worst and working through these exceptions privately to tame expectations. However, I do agree that I’m not sure why the pace on these is so slow. I’m guessing it has more to do with back and forth, information collection, etc., but it’s still tedious.

Personally I’m in favor of less of these waivers, not more. If it were me, player is only granted waiver if coach leaves or is fired. If a kid gets thrown out of school, or voluntarily leaves a school, or wants to play closer to home, should be a high threshold to play immediately.

That’s the thing, though. They call it an exception, but it isn’t actually an exception. It has become the norm, and they did that. The NCAA created the expectation that waivers will be granted in certain types of situations, and teams and coaches have been operating based on that expectation. To me, it is about consistency. If we were starting from scratch, I’d probably agree with you that waivers should be rare, but they aren’t. It’s not fair or just to arbitrarily grant or not grant waivers with no apparent discernible criteria and without offering anything approaching accountability for those decisions.

So the waiver process is totally subjective now....grreeeeat......
Sounds like we should plan should have planned on not having those guys.

[PeterRamTime]

Had no idea either of them even needed a damn waiver before the other day.

[RF1]

Seems to be a far cry from the Billy Baron determination. Baron had already officially played games for two different college teams and decided on his own to leave URI in mid June. He got fast tracked in the waiver route and he was quickly approved well in advance of the first Canisius game just five months later. Contrast that to Walker who never once played in an official college game, got removed from the team by the school, and a full year later still doesn't know his status.

[SmartyBarrett]

[ElmCityRhody]

Seems to be a far cry from the Billy Baron determination. Baron had already played for two different college teams and decided on his own to leave URI in mid June. He got fast tracked in the waiver route and he was quickly approved well in advance of the first Canisius game just five months later. Contrast that to Walker who never once played in an official college game, got removed from the team by the school, and a full year later still doesn't know his status.

it is a joke

what a bunch of CLOWNS

[RF1]

Seems to be a far cry from the Billy Baron determination. Baron had already played for two different college teams and decided on his own to leave URI in mid June. He got fast tracked in the waiver route and he was quickly approved well in advance of the first Canisius game just five months later. Contrast that to Walker who never once played in an official college game, got removed from the team by the school, and a full year later still doesn't know his status.

it is a joke

what a bunch of CLOWNS

I agree. It seems that the NCAA is not consistent in its process and only moves fast when it chooses to. This is blatantly unfair to those that are stuck in limbo for a long time awaiting awaiting a decision.

[Rhody83]

The best URI comparison is Kuran Iverson. As a Soph in 2014-15 season he played in first 8 games for Memphis (avg 12 min/game) then left the team/school. He transferred to URI and was ruled eligible for the start of the season in 2015-16.

[Roz]

bureacracy at its worse

[Iggy1979]

I remember in a Baron year there were 3 players who hadn't been cleared for a couple of games and had to sit in the stands. I believe Delroy was one.

[Rhody72]

All I'm saying is that the NCAA is following the process. I suspect that there is no issue with Walker's eligibility come second semester. GT gave Walker a scholarship last year that it couldn't re-use after he left the team. It is the member institutions that established the process and the NCAA's job to implement this process. Confidentiality considerations prevent transparency. Reporters and I may not like the process but it is what it is until member institutions change it.

[Rhody83]

It would be against NCAA rules to prevent Walker from not being eligible second semester. Stating “I SUSPECT that there is no issue with Walker's eligibility come second semester” demonstrates you have no idea what you are talking about on this subject. Patrick Ewing, the Georgetown HC, released Walker of his scholarship last October. Ewing is NOT contesting Walker’s eligibility to start this season. Ace postEd above the story of the St Johns recruit where the Cleveland State AD did contest the waiver.

Georgetown could have used the scholarship on a transfer for the second semester last year. But that has nothing to do with a transfer eligibility decision.
You should stop trying to apply your logic when you really don’t know much about the subject.

[SmartyBarrett]

[CTRamfan]

83 do you know if it is a committee, or individual decision?................I would like to know how they prioritize the cases............by date received, or some other criteria?

[Rhody83]

83 do you know if it is a committee, or individual decision?................I would like to know how they prioritize the cases............by date received, or some other criteria?

My understanding is that it is a group. No one knows how they prioritize. That is one of the frustrations. It appears the easier approvals get done first - family medical situation & request to be closer to home seems to be st the top of the list.

I think the key factor for Walker is does the group deciding place weight on why he was dismissed and was it significant enough to penalize him = decline his waiver request.

[ElmCityRhody]

its a joke

they have had all summer to figure this out

[rhodylaw]

They have had almost an entire year to figure it out. It's not like he was a summer transfer. With all the money the NCAA makes they can put some people in position to make these decisions quicker.

[ace]

I find it frustrating that the previous school has the ability to have any kind of negative influence. Plus, schools will almost always look bad, at least to me, when they hinder a guy moving on. Get out of your feelings and let them go. In the past, the St. John’s program held up a player’s availability and now they’re having the same done to them.

The Micah Potter situation is potentially an interesting contrast to Walker’s. Potter only played in an exhibition game before deciding to transfer, but he stayed enrolled at school at Ohio State for the Fall semester before enrolling at Wisconsin for the Spring semester. He didn’t receive a waiver, but they’re appealing. Walker didn’t play in any official games, either, but he didn’t leave voluntarily. Could being pushed out, regardless of his actions that led to that, help him in the end?

[ElmCityRhody]

They have had almost an entire year to figure it out. It's not like he was a summer transfer. With all the money the NCAA makes they can put some people in position to make these decisions quicker.

HEAR HEAR

[RIFan]

I guess we know what they have been doing...now letting players get paid for their name and likeness.

Yes, this is too long for this decision and it can have a lasting impact on a season for a school. Hurt a bubble team from a non p5 leagues chances at some quality non con q1&2 wins.

[Rhody83]

I take this as a good sign that they are still ruling favorably on waiver requests.

[reef]

This is rediculous with the season 1 week away

[rhodyruckus]

[Iggy1979]

How about making this John Carroll's first big assignment. Stay on it every day.

[rambone 78]

The NCAA only has 2 people working on waiver requests?

Great.

[reef]

Can Carroll do anything about it or are his hands tied ???

[rambone 78]

There is NO reason why Walker shouldn't be eligible for the entire season....as for Sheppard not that optimistic.

[PeterRamTime]

There is NO reason why Walker shouldn't be eligible for the entire season....as for Sheppard not that optimistic.

Because Sheppards grades are not up to par?

Still aren't?

Or his grades at the JUCO level weren't good enough to transfer over?

[DC_Rams]

There is NO reason why Walker shouldn't be eligible for the entire season....as for Sheppard not that optimistic.

Because Sheppards grades are not up to par?

Still aren't?

Or his grades at the JUCO level weren't good enough to transfer over?

Both

[PeterRamTime]

There is NO reason why Walker shouldn't be eligible for the entire season....as for Sheppard not that optimistic.

Because Sheppards grades are not up to par?

Still aren't?

Or his grades at the JUCO level weren't good enough to transfer over?

Both

Damn....

Trot out the tutors!

[Rhody72]

It would be against NCAA rules to prevent Walker from not being eligible second semester. Stating “I SUSPECT that there is no issue with Walker's eligibility come second semester” demonstrates you have no idea what you are talking about on this subject. Patrick Ewing, the Georgetown HC, released Walker of his scholarship last October. Ewing is NOT contesting Walker’s eligibility to start this season. Ace postEd above the story of the St Johns recruit where the Cleveland State AD did contest the waiver.

Georgetown could have used the scholarship on a transfer for the second semester last year. But that has nothing to do with a transfer eligibility decision.
You should stop trying to apply your logic when you really don’t know much about the subject.

'83: I believe that you are wrong about GTown being able to re-use Walker's scholarship second semester last year. Once a scholarship is awarded to a player, it cannot be used that year on another athlete. Also, the "I SUSPECT" was used because I did not think that that there were other issues such as academic ineligibility with Walker.

[reef]

The system is broke fix it !!!

[ElmCityRhody]

Because Sheppards grades are not up to par?

Still aren't?

Or his grades at the JUCO level weren't good enough to transfer over?

Both

Damn....

Trot out the tutors!

CUT TUTOR BAIT !

[Brian]

It would be against NCAA rules to prevent Walker from not being eligible second semester. Stating “I SUSPECT that there is no issue with Walker's eligibility come second semester” demonstrates you have no idea what you are talking about on this subject. Patrick Ewing, the Georgetown HC, released Walker of his scholarship last October. Ewing is NOT contesting Walker’s eligibility to start this season. Ace postEd above the story of the St Johns recruit where the Cleveland State AD did contest the waiver.

Georgetown could have used the scholarship on a transfer for the second semester last year. But that has nothing to do with a transfer eligibility decision.
You should stop trying to apply your logic when you really don’t know much about the subject.

'83: I believe that you are wrong about GTown being able to re-use Walker's scholarship second semester last year. Once a scholarship is awarded to a player, it cannot be used that year on another athlete. Also, the "I SUSPECT" was used because I did not think that that there were other issues such as academic ineligibility with Walker.

I thought Mading or Walker used the scholarship vacated by Aris 2nd semester last season?

[Rhody72]

For head-count sports such as basketball, I believe the only way money can be re-allocated is if the athlete graduates mid-season. I'm not sure about equivalency sports. In head-count sports all scholarships are full scholarships.

[Rhody83]

87% approval rate so far. Shocking that there is still 58 requests still waiting for a response (almost 50% of total requests).
I have no hope that the NCAA can decide on 58 applications in four business days.

[reef]

And we have 2 of the 58 dammit

[rhodyblue12]

Another approved:

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson said the NCAA has granted a waiver to Texas Tech basketball transfer Khavon Moore, making the 6-foot-8 sophomore immediately eligible to play with the Tigers.

Moore, from Macon, Georgia, played in only one game for the Red Raiders due to injury. He enrolled at Clemson this past May and has practiced with the team, including playing in the Tigers' run to the gold medal at the World University Games this summer.

[phipsiGD'11]

Maybe if we just start saying they were approved then the inept NCAA will think they approved them and they can start the season.

[rhodyruckus]

Maybe if we just start saying they were approved then the inept NCAA will think they approved them and they can start the season.

Ah, the old "show up after your fired and maybe you'll still get paid" philosophy. I like it.

[KevanBoyles]

Another approved:

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson said the NCAA has granted a waiver to Texas Tech basketball transfer Khavon Moore, making the 6-foot-8 sophomore immediately eligible to play with the Tigers.

Moore, from Macon, Georgia, played in only one game for the Red Raiders due to injury. He enrolled at Clemson this past May and has practiced with the team, including playing in the Tigers' run to the gold medal at the World University Games this summer.

But for the injury as opposed to being asked to leave, his situation seems similar to Walker’s.

[Rhody83]

And we have 2 of the 58 dammit

We really don’t have 2 of the 58. Sheppard isn’t waiting on a transfer request waiver. He is waiting on a ruling as to his academic eligibility. That comes from the NCAA Clearinghouse. My guess is that URI appealed the initial Clearinghouse ruling that Sheppard is academically ineligible.

[Rhodyram]

And we have 2 of the 58 dammit

We really don’t have 2 of the 58. Sheppard isn’t waiting on a transfer request waiver. He is waiting on a ruling as to his academic eligibility. That comes from the NCAA Clearinghouse. My guess is that URI appealed the initial Clearinghouse ruling that Sheppard is academically ineligible.

If ineligible would it be for the whole year? Is there a possibility of just the first semester?

[Rhodymob05]

Shouldn’t the NCAA, by their own internal ruling, have these transfer waivers reviews completed prior to the season?

[Rhody83]

Get ready for bad news. Walker posted on his IG Story - “You win some you lose some. It’s life deal with it. Build from it, get better.”

[ElmCityRhody]

BRUTAL

[ElmCityRhody]

i dont understand this one at all - he gets dismissed w/o playing a game and he loses the entire semester ?

what a FARCE the ncaa is

CLOWN SHOW

[rambone 78]

If he's not eligible until 2nd semester, will he still have 3 full years here?

That would make an odd situation his senior year....could only play until December?

Maybe someone could clarify this.

[bigappleram]

No, I assume he would have 2.5 years of eligibility left - 1/2 of this season and 2 more full seasons.