Josh Eilert ‘Hopes to Hear’ About RaeQuan Battle’s Waiver This Week

WVU interim HC Josh Eilert met with the media on Tuesday morning and was once again asked about RaeQuan Battle’s waiver. Eilert did not have an update but hopes to hear back from the NCAA soon.

“Nothing. I hope to hear this week,” he said.

West Virginia submitted Battle’s waiver back in early September as the 6-foot-5 guard transferred for the second time this past offseason. Battle is also not a graduate student but is a fifth-year senior. Many have had questions about why the NCAA is taking so long to give WVU an answer. West Virginia’s staff has been working back and forth with the NCAA as they’ve needed additional information about Battle’s situation.

“They give you a certain amount of time, they give you a timeframe to work with and if you meet certain requirements they try to get it done before your first competition,” Eilert said. “Hopefully that falls in line and we know before we go out and play someone.”

Battle and West Virginia should have hope as the NCAA has cleared a few transfers in both basketball and football over the last week. North Carolina WR Tez Walker was finally cleared by the NCAA after UNC “gave information the NCAA did not have,” according to the NCAA. Walker was originally denied as a multi-time transfer while he wanted to be closer to his ailing grandmother in North Carolina.

Eilert mentioned that West Virginia will appeal the NCAA’s decision if Battle is denied. Battle’s story originates from the Tulalip Reservation in Washington.

“Worst case scenario is that he doesn’t get it, we have to do what’s best for RaeQuan. We are going to keep him involved in everything we do. Keep our thumb on him in terms of getting better each and every day, staying locked in,” Eilert said. “I worry about that for RaeQuan because he does really need basketball in his life. I’ve touched on his story a little bit, I don’t want to get into it.”

Battle started in all 35 games this past season for Montana State, averaging 17.7 points on 47 percent shooting from the field, 35 percent from three and 83 percent from the free throw line. The Tulip, Wa. native scored 27 points against Kansas State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Battle was named to the All-Big Sky First Team during his senior year. Battle began his collegiate career at Washington.