NCAA denies appeal for UC Bearcat Aziz Bandaogo. UC’s Cunningham, Miller, Bandaogo react.

The University of Cincinnati has been informed the two-time transfer waiver appeal of 7-foot Bearcat basketall center Aziz Bandaogo has been denied.

Joint statement from UC AD John Cunningham and Coach Wes Miller

"We are deeply disappointed in the NCAA’s denial of Aziz Bandaogo’s appeal for immediate eligibility, as the overwhelming evidence clearly meets the criteria established by the membership.

There has been no decision yet on the appeal for Jamille Reynolds’ waiver.

Like many of our peer administrators and coaches, we continue to be confused and disheartened by the seemingly arbitrary process.

Our two basketball student-athletes made decisions to attend the University of Cincinnati and followed all appropriate and proper guidelines. Both young men have clearly met the criteria for a waiver.

The NCAA claims to promote mental health as a top priority, but the denial of eligibility for student-athletes who suffer from mental health conditions only harms the very student-athletes the organization supposedly protects. We have witnessed firsthand the undue stress this process puts on the student-athlete and their teammates.

What’s even more heartbreaking is the recent announcement by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors that it would review existing rules and guidelines to improve the transfer process for 2024-25. If change is needed, why wait and continue to harm current student-athletes?

Aziz and Jamille deserve to play college basketball for the University of Cincinnati this season, and we will continue to fully support them."

Aziz reacts on X

"I'm disappointed in the NCAA's decision to deny my appeal for immediate eligibility for the 2023-2024 basketball season. This decision not only affects me, but also my family and my teammates.

Mental health challenges are real and can happen to anyone. Moving to another country and learning another culture is obviously not easy and having a strong support system is key to coping when challenges occur.

After my coach at Utah Valley left last spring and several teammates transferred, I experienced a severe mental health challenge.

This is difficult for me to talk about, but it affected my everyday life.

I received treatment from mental health counselors who agreed that my mental health situation made it necessary for me to be in a different college environment.

One of the main reasons I chose to attended Cincinnati was my closeness to my American family. Also, I was most comfortable with Cincinnati coaches who talked deeply with me about the importance of mental health. On my campus visit, Cincinnati showed me the mental health support they would provide.

The NCAA put out guidelines for two-time transfers, I saw them and consulted with many people including a lawyer who is familiar with NCAA rules. I meet all the guidelines. When I chose Cincinnati, I counted on the NCAA to follow its own rules about transferring to the best school for my mental health. The NCAA let me down.

Without giving any reason, the NCAA is basically saying it knows better than I do what is necessary for my mental health recovery. That is wrong and very hurtful.

Since being at Cincinnati, I have received all the mental health counseling and support I was told about during the recruiting process. I appreciate that.

Basketball is my joy and my gift and it is also where I find my peace when I am out there competing with my friends and teammates. The NCAA's decision takes away my joy in playing and prevents me from using the gifts I have been blessed with to support my teammates on the court like I want to. While I am working to return to good mental health, the NCAA has put another obstacle in my way – without any real explanation why."

− Bearcat basketball center Aziz Bandaogo posting on X

Attorney General Dave Yost hints at anti-trust complaint

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who has sent and received an initial response from the NCAA, posted on X that "A bipartisan coalition of attorney generals are interested in Ohio's potential anti-trust complaint against he NCAA. Expect some movement as early as next week."

In his initial letter to the NCAA, Yost wrote: "Restricting Mr. Bandaogo from playing at the University of Cincinnati this fall raises serious concerns as an illegal restraint of trade. In essence, the NCAA has imposed a sweeping, unilateral, one-year non-compete restriction in violation of both state and federal law."

What now?

AD John Cunningham confirmed in a recent interview that the players have hired separate attorneys. They have continued to practice during this process.

Bandaogo transferred from Utah Valley University and previously was at Akron. Reynolds played at Temple last season and previously at UCF. Both claimed a mental health exemption as laid out in NCAA guidelines for two-time transfers.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC AD John Cunningham, Wes Miller, Bandaogo sound off on NCAA denial