Huggins Would be ‘Totally Shocked’ if Jose Perez’s Appeal Clears Before Baylor Game

WVU head coach Bob Huggins was asked on Tuesday if Jose Perez’s appeal would be cleared before the Baylor game. Huggins didn’t hold back his thoughts on the NCAA taking their time.

“First of all, I’d be totally shocked [if it got cleared by tomorrow] and that it’s taken them as long as it has taken them, which is totally ridiculous. I mean you’re messing with a young man’s livelihood,” Huggins said. “You’re messing with the fact that this kid has done everything as humanly possible for him to do and it hadn’t changed.”

Perez has been waiting for weeks and weeks to hear back again from the NCAA. The first time Perez and WVU heard from the NCAA was a “no.” West Virginia’s basketball program submitted an appeal just days later after the initial decision on Dec. 16.

National reporter Adam Zagoria reported last week that Perez is expected to hear back about this appeal by Wednesday.

This all started back when Perez was at Manhattan College in late October when his head coach Steve Masiello was fired less than two weeks before the season started. Perez and a couple of other teammates entered the transfer portal to reopen their recruitment. Within five days, Perez committed to West Virginia to play his final year of eligibility but needed a waiver due to the fall semester already being in full stride.

Perez’s appeal decision will determine whether or not he spends the remainder of this season on the court or the bench. If cleared, Perez can play with the Mountaineers and complete his eligibility. If it’s declined Perez is eligible to play in the 2023-24 season.