CINCINNATI — Ohio's attorney general is challenging the NCAA's decision to declare a University of Cincinnati basketball player ineligible this season.

Cincinnati transfer Aziz Bandaogo's waiver was rejected by the NCAA earlier this month. The 7-footer from Senegal played two seasons at Akron before going to Utah Valley, where he averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds.

The NCAA has tricky guidelines for second-time transfers like Bandaogo after the council approved legislation in January that requires undergraduate players to meet specific guidelines in order to be immediately eligible for their new team. If they don't meet those guidelines, they have to sit out for one year.

In a letter sent to the NCAA president, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost details multiple reasons why Bandaogo transferred to UC and should be allowed to play based on the current guidelines.

The NCAA says players can receive immediate eligibility if they have a physical injury or mental health condition that led them to transfer. The NCAA also considers "exigent circumstances" like sexual assault or abuse.

Yost says in his letter that Bandaogo has "submitted compelling evidence of adverse mental health impacts following seismic changes in his support network, social network, and educational environment following the departure of his coach and mentor" for Utah Valley.

The attorney general also says Bandaogo's decision to transfer was also to be closer to his longtime girlfriend's nearby family.

"Mr. Bandaogo has no family of his own in the United States, his girlfriend’s family has functionally become his greatest support network and functions as a surrogate for his own," Yost writes.

In the letter, Yost questions the legality of the NCAA's decision, saying that not only is it "wrong as a matter of common sense and decency, it is also likely unlawful." He says it seems to violate antitrust laws and is a "one-year non-compete restriction in violation of both state and federal law."



Bandaogo's case is similar to that of UNC receiver Devontez Walker, who was finally declared eligible after the NCAA originally determined he would have to sit out one year. In fact, Yost's letter to the NCAA is almost exactly the same as the letter North Carolina's attorney general wrote for Walker.

Bandaogo is one of two UC transfers whose waivers were denied. The other is Jamille Reynolds, who was with UCF and Temple before joining the Bearcats.

UC coach Wes Miller has been vocal about the decisions, saying the program feels both Bandaogo and Reynolds meet the NCAA's guidelines.

"We're gonna try to do everything we can within laws and rules to help our guys get on the basketball court because they should be," Miller said. "My biggest concern right now is Aziz and Jamille's mental well-being, and that's not a line to try to help them get a waiver, OK? This is very, very, very, very difficult. They don't understand."

Yost's letter does not mention Reynolds. It is unclear at this time if Yost will also write a letter to the NCAA over his eligibility.

(10-26-2023 09:57 AM)doss2 Wrote:  CINCINNATI — Ohio's attorney general is challenging the NCAA's decision to declare a University of Cincinnati basketball player ineligible this season.

Cincinnati transfer Aziz Bandaogo's waiver was rejected by the NCAA earlier this month. The 7-footer from Senegal played two seasons at Akron before going to Utah Valley, where he averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds.

The NCAA has tricky guidelines for second-time transfers like Bandaogo after the council approved legislation in January that requires undergraduate players to meet specific guidelines in order to be immediately eligible for their new team. If they don't meet those guidelines, they have to sit out for one year.

In a letter sent to the NCAA president, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost details multiple reasons why Bandaogo transferred to UC and should be allowed to play based on the current guidelines.

The NCAA says players can receive immediate eligibility if they have a physical injury or mental health condition that led them to transfer. The NCAA also considers "exigent circumstances" like sexual assault or abuse.

Yost says in his letter that Bandaogo has "submitted compelling evidence of adverse mental health impacts following seismic changes in his support network, social network, and educational environment following the departure of his coach and mentor" for Utah Valley.

The attorney general also says Bandaogo's decision to transfer was also to be closer to his longtime girlfriend's nearby family.

"Mr. Bandaogo has no family of his own in the United States, his girlfriend’s family has functionally become his greatest support network and functions as a surrogate for his own," Yost writes.

In the letter, Yost questions the legality of the NCAA's decision, saying that not only is it "wrong as a matter of common sense and decency, it is also likely unlawful." He says it seems to violate antitrust laws and is a "one-year non-compete restriction in violation of both state and federal law."



Bandaogo's case is similar to that of UNC receiver Devontez Walker, who was finally declared eligible after the NCAA originally determined he would have to sit out one year. In fact, Yost's letter to the NCAA is almost exactly the same as the letter North Carolina's attorney general wrote for Walker.

Bandaogo is one of two UC transfers whose waivers were denied. The other is Jamille Reynolds, who was with UCF and Temple before joining the Bearcats.

UC coach Wes Miller has been vocal about the decisions, saying the program feels both Bandaogo and Reynolds meet the NCAA's guidelines.

"We're gonna try to do everything we can within laws and rules to help our guys get on the basketball court because they should be," Miller said. "My biggest concern right now is Aziz and Jamille's mental well-being, and that's not a line to try to help them get a waiver, OK? This is very, very, very, very difficult. They don't understand."

Yost's letter does not mention Reynolds. It is unclear at this time if Yost will also write a letter to the NCAA over his eligibility.

What a change for the better--someone at the cabinet level in OH government stepping up to support UC. It's hard to remember that happening in Columbus before.

Here's hoping it works.

nothing personal bearcats, but I hope the NCAA does not buckle on this decision.

It's pretty clear that his coach leaving was explicitly excluded as a valid cause for transfer, and also, RE the "girlfriend", I suppose her family was nowhere near Utah when he made that decision to go there, but "NOW" it's a problem for him... that seems just a bit to "convenient". "I didn't need my extended family support group to go to UTAH, but I do need them to be able to go to Cincy". (wink, wink)

"Some of the reasons for a declined waiver are certainly surprising. For example, players that are upset with coaching changes or have their scholarship pulled will no longer be granted a transfer waiver. Those also looking solely to transfer because of a lack of playing time will also be declined."

not to mention it's a pretty dang sad commentary that the AG of Ohio has nothing better to do with his time on behalf of the State.

(10-26-2023 10:16 AM)CaliforniaCowboy Wrote:  nothing personal bearcats, but I hope the NCAA does not buckle on this decision.

It's pretty clear that his coach leaving was explicitly excluded as a valid cause for transfer, and also, RE the "girlfriend", I suppose her family was nowhere near Utah when he made that decision to go there, but "NOW" it's a problem for him... that seems just a bit to "convenient". "I didn't need my extended family support group to go to UTAH, but I do need them to be able to go to Cincy". (wink, wink)

"Some of the reasons for a declined waiver are certainly surprising. For example, players that are upset with coaching changes or have their scholarship pulled will no longer be granted a transfer waiver. Those also looking solely to transfer because of a lack of playing time will also be declined."

not to mention it's a pretty dang sad commentary that the AG of Ohio has nothing better to do with his time on behalf of the State.

The AG letter is most notable because Ohio State officials almost never do anything that benefits UC. With Columbus being the capitol city and home to O$U an almost incestuous relationship exists between O$U and Ohio State Government officials to the detriment of UC and all other Ohio Public universities.

(10-26-2023 11:27 AM)doss2 Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 10:16 AM)CaliforniaCowboy Wrote:  nothing personal bearcats, but I hope the NCAA does not buckle on this decision.

It's pretty clear that his coach leaving was explicitly excluded as a valid cause for transfer, and also, RE the "girlfriend", I suppose her family was nowhere near Utah when he made that decision to go there, but "NOW" it's a problem for him... that seems just a bit to "convenient". "I didn't need my extended family support group to go to UTAH, but I do need them to be able to go to Cincy". (wink, wink)

"Some of the reasons for a declined waiver are certainly surprising. For example, players that are upset with coaching changes or have their scholarship pulled will no longer be granted a transfer waiver. Those also looking solely to transfer because of a lack of playing time will also be declined."

not to mention it's a pretty dang sad commentary that the AG of Ohio has nothing better to do with his time on behalf of the State.

The AG letter is most notable because Ohio State officials almost never do anything that benefits UC. With Columbus being the capitol city and home to O$U an almost incestuous relationship exists between O$U and Ohio State Government officials to the detriment of UC and all other Ohio Public universities.

yeah, I got that from the other posts, we've got the same situation with Norman being essentially a suburb of OKC, the State Capital... yada, yada, yada.

That still does not make government interference in trivial non-statewide issues a practical use of State resources. I would hold the same position if it was tOSU that the AG was defending, or even if it were the OK AG suing on behalf of OSU.

It's not the role of government.

(10-26-2023 11:36 AM)CaliforniaCowboy Wrote:  yeah, I got that from the other posts, we've got the same situation with Norman being essentially a suburb of OKC, the State Capital... yada, yada, yada.

That still does not make government interference in trivial non-statewide issues a practical use of State resources. I would hold the same position if it was tOSU that the AG was defending, or even if it were the OK AG suing on behalf of OSU.

It's not the role of government.

In the letter, Yost questions the legality of the NCAA's decision, saying that not only is it "wrong as a matter of common sense and decency, it is also likely unlawful." He says it seems to violate antitrust laws and is a "one-year non-compete restriction in violation of both state and federal law."

Sounds like exactly the role of government.

"We're gonna try to do everything we can within laws and rules to help our guys get on the basketball court because they should be," Miller said. "My biggest concern right now is Aziz and Jamille's mental well-being, and that's not a line to try to help them get a waiver, OK? This is very, very, very, very difficult. They don't understand."

So both of these players are having mental health issues which require them to immediately transfer to UC? If staying close to his girlfriend's family is important to Bandaogo, why didn't he just continue playing at Akron or somewhere else in Ohio or a neighboring state? Why go all the way to Utah Valley? Something doesn't sound right here.

(10-28-2023 11:33 PM)djsuperfly Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 11:36 AM)CaliforniaCowboy Wrote:  yeah, I got that from the other posts, we've got the same situation with Norman being essentially a suburb of OKC, the State Capital... yada, yada, yada.

That still does not make government interference in trivial non-statewide issues a practical use of State resources. I would hold the same position if it was tOSU that the AG was defending, or even if it were the OK AG suing on behalf of OSU.

It's not the role of government.

In the letter, Yost questions the legality of the NCAA's decision, saying that not only is it "wrong as a matter of common sense and decency, it is also likely unlawful." He says it seems to violate antitrust laws and is a "one-year non-compete restriction in violation of both state and federal law."

Sounds like exactly the role of government.

naw... the SCHOOL should sue if they feel slighted (on behalf of the players), but the guvernment has no business in such civil matters.

Hearing OH AG will file for a TRO if the NCAA denies AZIZ appeal.

Expect a Class Action Suit preceded by a request for a TRO.

After Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter to the NCAA on behalf of University of Cincinnati two-time transfer Aziz Bandaogo Oct. 19, a response has been received.

Friday, NCAA Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Scott Bearby replied to the letter on time as requested.

In the response, Bearby acknowledged the letter and noted that UC is still working through the NCAA waiver request and appeal process in accordance to procedures agreed to by the Division I institutions (like Cincinnati).

Since the appeal of Bandaogo is under consideration, Bearby said the specific case subject of the letter would not be addressed.

Bearby's NCAA response reasoned that if NCAA member institutions wanted to change transfer policy, they could.

"There are many justifiable reasons for the rules and policy, including concern about the impact of transfer on academic eligibility. The NCAA’s governance system has made periodic adjustments to transfer rules and policy. Most notably, a year ago, Division I allowed student-athletes in all sports to transfer one time without application of the year in residence.

"It is within the authority of the University of Cincinnati and indeed all Ohio institutions that are members of Division I to propose changes to NCAA rules and waiver processes. None of them have taken any step in either regard. As mentioned above, the Division I Board of Directors affirmed that NCAA staff and committees are following the policy and the waiver processes as they have directed. The Division I Board consists of a representative of the conference to which the University belongs."

Bearby also states NCAA transfer policies have faced legal challenges before that have been upheld in court.

"Although it is the membership’s right to seek policy change, litigation to eliminate a national transfer policy would seem to be an overreach and indeed not in the interests of the remainder of the Division I schools and student-athletes in Ohio, nor the rest of the membership in every other state," Bearby wrote.

(11-03-2023 01:57 PM)doss2 Wrote:  "Although it is the membership’s right to seek policy change, litigation to eliminate a national transfer policy would seem to be an overreach and indeed not in the interests of the remainder of the Division I schools and student-athletes in Ohio, nor the rest of the membership in every other state," Bearby wrote.

ROTFLMAO.... the only thing missing from this reply was, "you dumb***".

OMG - don't sue us, it's your policy... if you don't like it, petition to change the policy. duh.

this AG just got his stuff handed to him .... wow

(10-28-2023 11:33 PM)djsuperfly Wrote:  

(10-26-2023 11:36 AM)CaliforniaCowboy Wrote:  yeah, I got that from the other posts, we've got the same situation with Norman being essentially a suburb of OKC, the State Capital... yada, yada, yada.

That still does not make government interference in trivial non-statewide issues a practical use of State resources. I would hold the same position if it was tOSU that the AG was defending, or even if it were the OK AG suing on behalf of OSU.

It's not the role of government.

In the letter, Yost questions the legality of the NCAA's decision, saying that not only is it "wrong as a matter of common sense and decency, it is also likely unlawful." He says it seems to violate antitrust laws and is a "one-year non-compete restriction in violation of both state and federal law."

Sounds like exactly the role of government.

The non-compete angle is extremely interesting. The FTC has proposed a federal rule that bans non-competes for *workers.*