Ohio wins temporary order against NCAA rule limiting student-athlete transfers

Laura A. Bischoff, Columbus Dispatch
·1 min read
Cincinnati Bearcats forward Aziz Bandaogo (55) blocks the shot of Xavier Musketeers forward Sasa Ciani (21) in the basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier Musketeers, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Bandaogo had to get a waiver from the NCAA to transfer and play for the Bearcats.
Cincinnati Bearcats forward Aziz Bandaogo (55) blocks the shot of Xavier Musketeers forward Sasa Ciani (21) in the basketball game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier Musketeers, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Bandaogo had to get a waiver from the NCAA to transfer and play for the Bearcats.
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The NCAA will not be allowed to block student-athletes from transferring to different universities and playing right away − at least temporarily, according to a federal court order issued on Wednesday.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost won a 14-day temporary restraining order from a federal judge in West Virginia where the case was filed. Ohio and other states sued to block the National Collegiate Athletic Association from enforcing its rule that required Division 1 transfers to sit out for a season before playing for their new college team.

With the order in place, athletes currently seeking waivers may be immediately eligible to transfer. This would would impact not only college basketball but college football where the transfer portal window is currently open.

UC 6-11 transfer Jamille Reynolds is still awaiting his eligibility ruling from the NCAA. Reynolds is a two-time transfer like Aziz Bandaogo. Bandaogo was ruled eligible on Nov. 20.
UC 6-11 transfer Jamille Reynolds is still awaiting his eligibility ruling from the NCAA. Reynolds is a two-time transfer like Aziz Bandaogo. Bandaogo was ruled eligible on Nov. 20.

The website On3.com Tuesday reported over 2,700 entries into the football portal as of Dec. 12. The court order would allow two-time transfer basketball players like Cincinnati’s Jamille Reynolds, West Virginia’s RaeQuan Battle and football players in similar situations to immediately participate with their respective schools. While the lawsuit involves Ohio, Colorado, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia it would affect student-athletes in other states seeking waivers.

Since 2021, the NCAA has been automatically exempting first-time transfers but continued to enforce the rule for athletes seeking subsequent transfers.

That was the case for University of Cincinnati's new basketball player, 7-foot center Aziz Bandaogo, who fought to get approval. University of Cincinnati is awaiting word from the NCAA on Reynolds.

Cincinnati Enquirer sports reporter Scott Springer contributed to this report.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio wins temporary order blocking NCAA in student-athlete case