WVU G Jose Perez Still Awaiting Decision from NCAA on Eligibility

West Virginia transfer guard Jose Perez is still waiting on his eligibility waiver, that needs to be approved by the NCAA to play. Perez committed to WVU in late October after his head coach Steve Masiello was dismissed at Manhattan.

Perez has been vocal the last couple days on social media.

“I’ve been through a lot lately, I’m just trying to play basketball please,” Perez wrote in a tweet.

Per NCAA rules, Perez is not allowed to practice or even shoot around with the team. Perez is granted access to the practice facility and can practice on his own. Perez enrolled for WVU’s spring semester back on Nov. 17. WVU’s basketball program submitted a waiver for Perez to play this season. It is unknown when Perez and West Virginia should hear back from the NCAA.

WVU G Jose Perez shooting around alone

Perez can’t practice or shoot around with the team per rules pic.twitter.com/OfOOlsSOpW

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) December 7, 2022

“Jose certainly gives us more fire power for our team,” WVU HC Bob Huggins said in a press release. “He’s a guy who can score the ball at different levels, he shoots the ball well, he drives it well and he scores it close. He’s another experienced guy who has played a lot of basketball. We think he will be a great fit.”

West Virginia contacted Perez (6-foot-5, 220 pounds) within hours of him entering the portal in late October. Perez chose WVU over Georgia Tech, Louisville, Mississippi State, Missouri, North Carolina State and TCU. The MAAC Preseason Player of the Year was heavily recruited during the five days in the transfer portal. Other programs like Memphis, Oregon, Texas Tech, Kansas State, Texas, Alabama and many more reached out to Perez.

Perez spent the last season at Manhattan, averaging 18.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. The guard shot 40 percent from the field, 26 percent from three and 80 percent from the free-throw line. Before his time at Manhattan, Perez played for Gardner-Webb and Marquette.

Perez has one year of eligibility remaining.

“Just got to get after it every day bringing a winning tradition back to Morgantown,” Perez told WV Sports Now in October.

WV Sports Now will keep you up-to-date on Perez’s eligibility status.