The Official Olivier Sarr Thread (UPDATE: NCAA Rules Sarr Eligible, SEC Hasn't Yet)

[Joneslab]

Hypothetical situation: the NCAA rules him eligible, but it turns out there will be no bb until Jan. of 2021, at the earliest, if then. Does he stick around until Jan. to see what happens then, or does he turn pro?

I believe he would stick around, because at that point you would only be six months from the NBA Draft. Uprooting and going overseas and then having to come back to play professional basketball in America would be an odd choice.

Believe he would probably stick and see if the Kentucky name, the Calipari push, and his work in Lexington might move him onto the draft board.

[justford]

Please enlighten me on who makes the final decision on granting waivers? Is it a committee or does the final decision comes down to one person or?? I understand the process involves a lot of paperwork being submitted but it seems like this process takes longer than it should especially with UK involved lol. Thanks

[Los Gatos]

Please enlighten me on who makes the final decision on granting waivers? Is it a committee or does the final decision comes down to one person or?? I understand the process involves a lot of paperwork being submitted but it seems like this process takes longer than it should especially with UK involved lol. Thanks

As for the initial decision, don't know for sure but would be surprised if it's not a typical organization structure. IE, there is an organization who is responsible for review and making a decision. IMO it would be very unusual that a decision made by the lower level personal in the organization would not be reviewed by someone higher in the NCAA. Even if it's just the manager of the department. Once a decision is made and communicated to the school, there is an appeal process. The appeal is reviewed by a committee.

As for it taking longer, despite the many post insisting there is a UK bias, I don't see convincing evidence. Since the basis for the waiver is not disclosed, how does one determine that it's taking too long? Some reasons will take longer, just the nature of the process. In addition, if I were is charge of the organization reviewing the waiver request, I guarantee, I'd have my people to a more through analysis of a request that I knew would come under external criticism. I don't consider that bias.

[justford]

Thank you

[JFCats22]

Texted with the guy who told me that they thought UK would hear by 4th July and he said they have no idea why they haven't gotten an answer yet. He said everyone is very surprised and a bit concerned that no decision has been made.

[Dwight Schrute]

Texted with the guy who told me that they thought UK would hear by 4th July and he said they have no idea why they haven't gotten an answer yet. He said everyone is very surprised and a bit concerned that no decision has been made.

You and Kyle Tucker must be talking to different people.

Kyle Tucker

@KyleTucker_ATH
Source at Kentucky tells me “I’m comfortable we will have Olivier Sarr this season.”

[JFCats22]

You and Kyle Tucker must be talking to different people.

I'm sure Tucker has better sources than the guy I talked to. But, I know for a fact that UK staff is still uneasy that they have not heard a decision. That doesn't mean they think Sarr won't be eligible but they can still have concerns around not hearing anything yet.

[Lighthouse]

If the Staff believes he will be eligible, why would they be uneasy? They've dealt with the NCAA before.

[Los Gatos]

If the Staff believes he will be eligible, why would they be uneasy? They've dealt with the NCAA before.

My estimate has gone from 10% to 90% and now below 50%. Seems like the lack of news is not good news. If it was straight forward and obvious that the waiver should be granted, it already would have been.

[lilproUK98]

If he's not eligible, I'll eat my shoe.

[Joneslab]

If he's not eligible, I'll eat my shoe.

I would be absolutely floored if they rule him ineligible now given all that's happened.

Sarr ironically may have been saved by the coronavirus.

Of course now the greater question is whether or not we have a season...

[Los Gatos]

I would be absolutely floored if they rule him ineligible now given all that's happened.

Sarr ironically may have been saved by the coronavirus.

Of course now the greater question is whether or not we have a season...

Based on the transfer waiver guidelines as they existed prior to July 1st, I think he has less the a 50% chance of being granted a waiver. Now I've heard the guidelines were modified on July 1st although I have no idea what changes were made. If more latitude is being granted due to "all that's happened" his chances getting a waiver increase.

[Joneslab]

"All that's happened" fits into the narrative with Sarr mainly because he's a foreign player who has publicly said he would pursue foreign options if not eligible in college. Many of these players are now bubbled on campuses and the NCAA hasn't ruled; it seems odd that the NCAA would rule him ineligible and thus burn down those weeks and months he could've been pursuing options elsewhere.

Since the season is likely not going to start until 2021--if at all--I just don't think they'll deny very many people eligibility. These athletes are already in place and may get eligibility at new schools for one semester. Hard to imagine the NCAA turning players away in these conditions.

[Catsrock]

"All that's happened" fits into the narrative with Sarr mainly because he's a foreign player who has publicly said he would pursue foreign options if not eligible in college. Many of these players are now bubbled on campuses and the NCAA hasn't ruled; it seems odd that the NCAA would rule him ineligible and thus burn down those weeks and months he could've been pursuing options elsewhere.

Since the season is likely not going to start until 2021--if at all--I just don't think they'll deny very many people eligibility. These athletes are already in place and may get eligibility at new schools for one semester. Hard to imagine the NCAA turning players away in these conditions.

Not to mention the aforementioned "guidelines" say virtually nothing. A player has to be in good standing at the institution he/she left. If his/her health, safety and general well-being would be adversely affected by staying at the original school? How many of the players who've been granted waivers were in danger of they stayed put? I'm guessing zero. Health? Maybe Sarr's allergies are better in KY than NC. It all boils down to their "general well-being." This is the NCAA's way of saying "we'll look at each case and rule whatever we want to rule and no one can do a thing about it."

Juzang would likely be safer from Covid 19, the Bloods and the Crips AND earthquakes in Lexington than in LA. So that came down to his well-being. ie he felt he'd be happier close to home.

Los Gatos--I know you don't see convincing evidence...but the NCAA is not always impartial and virtuous. They will eventually make a ruling and it will be whatever suites their fancy. And we will live with it. Until the power schools create a new organization anyway.

[Los Gatos]

Since the basic for a waiver is not public, we are left to speculate as to why the NCAA makes decisions or takes longer to decide. .