The transfer portal has absolutely blown up in recent years, with many players seeking better opportunities due to the emergence of NIL deals. However, those who are looking to transfer for a second time in their career may have trouble doing so.
Players who want to transfer a second-time need to have a waiver accepted to do so. It was revealed in January that these waivers would become more strict. This became more clear in a memo sent to programs on Wednesday.
CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein revealed that the NCAA sent this memo to schools that details the various reasons that transfer waivers will be declined.
The NCAA sent college programs this memo earlier regarding the waiver process for undergraduates who are two-time transfers. pic.twitter.com/Y4DUmDsQtC
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 23, 2023
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.
Many took to social media to offer their opinion on this memo, and most seem to not be pleased by this incoming change.
NCAA says here it will deny transfer waivers for coaching changes
Example: Bryce Hopkins used his one-time transfer to go from Kentucky to PC. He would need a waiver to go elsewhere
If Hopkins wants to leave after Ed Cooley's departure, he should be allowed without penalty https://t.co/TIs27Iduqy
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) March 23, 2023
okay so everyone is focusing on coaching change which is bs, yes, but is this saying they won't approve a transfer waiver….if they took your scholarship away? https://t.co/pI2xKFJjjU pic.twitter.com/67jWoQ3VcV
— The Smoking Musket (@smokingmusket) March 23, 2023
Am I reading this correctly that run-offs don't even get a waiver? This is insane. If your coach leaves, or runs you off, you should be able to play immediately at your new school.
Those have nothing to do with credits or grades. https://t.co/yMpJW4NFGk
— Kurtis Quillin (@KurtisQuillin) March 23, 2023
It's hard for me to read this as anything other than "NCAA wants to lose in court on this, again" https://t.co/wfYMi9pcww
— 'Nata Edwards (@NataTheScribe) March 23, 2023
Will this cool down the portal? No. Will this make transfers extremely cautious? I would think so. A very interesting rule change. https://t.co/4hnPt3kBce
— RockyTopTalk (@RockyTopTalk) March 23, 2023
Listing a coach leaving on the form as a reason a player can’t transfer is saying the quiet part out loud. pic.twitter.com/PZTsVe3PXc
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) March 23, 2023
These changes will certainly make it increasingly important that a player makes the correct decision in the transfer portal the first time around. There now appears to be very few circumstances where second-time transfers will be granted a waiver to do so.
This change is very clearly meant to limit the number of players who are transferring. It is unclear if it will ultimately do that, but the NCAA has clearly planted its flag on the subject.
