NCAA grants UC Bearcat Aziz Bandaogo’s waiver claim. 7-footer will play Wednesday.

The NCAA has approved Aziz Bandaogo’s mental health waiver, allowing him to play in the University of Cincinnati’s Wednesday night home game against Georgia Tech, adding extra excitement to the match. The two-time transfer was passionately advocated for by UC basketball coach Wes Miller, who is still awaiting the NCAA’s decision on 6-11 Jamille Reynolds. Before this, Bandaogo was represented by the Morningstar Law Group of Raleigh, North Carolina, obtaining eligibility along with North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker by the same representation group.

In light of this good news, Coach Wes Miller expressed his elation for Aziz Bandaogo, highlighting the toughness of the process and his gratitude towards the NCAA and the University of Cincinnati for their support. Aziz Bandaogo also expressed his excitement and thanked everyone who supported him, while stressing his eagerness to make his Cincinnati debut. Both players, Bandaogo and Reynolds, are two-time transfers who faced various challenges to gain eligibility, particularly the mental health condition, according to Miller.

Aziz Bandaogo’s debut couldn’t come soon enough after he joined the Bearcats from Utah Valley University and Akron, averaging 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in 2022-23. Reynolds, who transferred from Temple and UCF, averaged 10.1 points and 5.4 rebounds for Temple and scored 12 points along with 5 rebounds against UC in their American Athletic Association quarterfinal loss to the Bearcats. In the words of Ody Oguama, both players have contributed to improving their practices significantly and are highly respected for their abilities.

Coach Miller has praised Bandaogo’s elite skills defensively, vouching for his ability as an asset to the team. UC’s game against Georgia Tech at 7 p.m. on Wednesday will be the perfect opportunity to watch Bandaogo in action, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for UC basketball. Stay tuned for more updates in The Enquirer.

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Laura Davis

Laura Davis covers the world of basketball with precision. Her articles explore NBA and college basketball, offering game analysis, player profiles, and highlights. Laura’s passion for hoops is evident in her comprehensive basketball coverage.