NCAA Denies Waiver Appeal for West Virginia G RaeQuan Battle
In a not-so-shocking update from the NCAA, West Virginia guard RaeQuan Battle’s waiver appeal was denied for immediate eligibility for the 2023-24 season.
While news broke of a fellow conference member receiving eligibility in Cincinnati’s Aziz Bandaogo on Monday afternoon, Battle was not so fortunate as the Mountaineers continue to struggle with Battle’s waiver process.
Battle previously transferred at the start of his career from Washington to Montana State, and while Josh Eilert and the West Virginia staff sounded confident about the process behind Battle’s immediate eligibility waiver, the NCAA denied Battle’s request resulting in the program appealing the decision.
Battle’s original waiver was denied by the NCAA back in October. West Virginia then elected to appeal the waiver process, and even after the NCAA received multiple letters from the Governor of West Virginia, Battle’s situation remains relatively unchanged.
West Virginia Attourney General Patick Morrisey responded to the waiver denial on X saying, “For too long, the NCAA has failed to maintain a consistent and defensible transfer policy. Refusing to let RaeQuan play is only the latest example.”
After discussing the next steps in Battle’s process, Morrisey continued by mentioning, “This decision is deeply disturbing. I am coordinating with RaeQuan’s attorney and other attorneys general on next steps. But rest assured, my office will vigorously pursue all of our legal options.”
Despite Battle’s continued absense, the Mountaineers take the court next on Wednesday, November 22nd at 6:00 PM CT against No. 24 Virginia.
