WVU’s RaeQuan Battle Mentioned in Multistate Complaint vs. NCAA

RaeQuan Battle, West Virginia guard, was one of the student-athletes mentioned in a multistate complaint vs. the NCAA. Battle’s transfer waiver denial is at the forefront of Ohio AG Dave Yost’s seven state-led lawsuit against the NCAA, as Colorado, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and West Virginia are challenging the transfer eligibility rules.

Battle specifically was mentioned in a 39-page complaint, as well as Southern Illinois athletes Jarrett Hensley (basketball) and Noah Fenske (football). The following is what’s mentioned about Battle in sections 48-51 of the complaint.

48. Because Mr. Battle had transferred on a prior occasion, his ability to transfer to WVU from MSU for the 2023-24 basketball season was restricted by the Transfer Eligibility Rule. Thus, to be eligible to play immediately, he needed to have a waiver approved by the NCAA. WVU applied for him to receive a waiver for immediate eligibility, as he and WVU believed that his circumstances fit within the NCAA’s criteria for waiver requests.

49. However, the NCAA recently denied his appeal for immediate eligibility at WVU. Mr. Battle is completely devastated by the NCAA’s decision to deny him eligibility for the 2023-24 basketball season. Losing his coach at MSU, which prompted his decision to transfer to WVU, is a situation that he had no control over and severely affected his mental health. The denial of competition only exacerbates this impact to his mental health and overall well-being.

50. WVU is scheduled to play 31 regular season games during the 2023-2024 season. Mr. Battle is currently on the bench and has been unable to play in six competitive games thus far this season because of the Transfer Eligibility Rule. If he continues to be kept out of competition through December, then that would mean missing seven additional games (a total of 13 competitive games, which is almost half of the regular season schedule). Once these games have been played, they are gone forever. They will not be replayed in the future, and opportunities for development, exposure, and joy from participating in these contests are lost for Mr. Battle. Every passing game missed further irreparably harms Mr. Battle.

51. Not participating in competitive games significantly impacts Mr. Battle’s ability to pursue NIL compensation and for his chances to pursue a career in professional basketball.

The NCAA denied Battle of his waiver twice and for now is eligible for the 2024-25 season. WV Sports Now will continue to update the status on Battle’s eligibility.