Bob Huggins Sees No Reason for WVU’s Seniors Not to Return Next Season

Last week the NCAA announced that the Division I Council had voted to give winter student-athletes an extra year of eligibility regardless of their participation in the 2020-21 season.

This means that West Virginia men’s basketball seniors Taz Sherman and Gabe Osabuohien could return to the team next season if they so choose.

“If everything was normal, those would be the two guys that would be finishing their eligibility this year. With everything that’s happening, they’re going to have the opportunity to come back,” WVU head coach Bob Huggins explained Thursday. “I don’t know who wouldn’t take Taz and Gabe back if they wanted to come back.”

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Sherman and Osabuohien are both entering their second season with the Mountaineers in 2020-21.

Sherman came to WVU as a junior college transfer from Collin College in Texas. He played in 31 games, making four starts and averaged 5.3 points per game. Earlier this month, Huggins said he expects Sherman to take a big step forward this season.

Osabuohein joined WVU after transferring from Arkansas. He received an eligibility waiver partway through the season and quickly became a defensive specialist for the Mountaineers. He played 28 games, one start, and averaged 3.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.

Huggins said he has not yet talked to either player about returning next season but sees no reason why they would not want to.

“I haven’t really talked to them about it, but I don’t know why they wouldn’t do that unless a really big opportunity comes their way to go make a bunch of money and play in Europe or something,” Huggins said. “I don’t, at this point in time, see that happening.”