WVU’s Jose Perez Believes to be Eligible ‘Around Big 12 Play’

West Virginia’s most recent transfer portal addition Jose Perez thinks he will be eligible to play around when Big 12 Conference games begin, he tells WV Sports Now. Perez committed to WVU on Sunday night as he quickly looked for a new home.

Perez will join the team as he moves to Morgantown next week. From there he will be able to practice with the team throughout the rest of the first semester. West Virginia University’s first semester period ends officially on Dec. 17. Perez and sources believe that the Manhattan transfer could suit up for West Virginia right after then.

For now, Perez will look to get situated with his new team after an emotional week.

“Just got to get after it every day bringing a winning tradition back to Morgantown,” he said.

Perez entered the transfer portal on Tuesday after Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello was dismissed from his duties, leaving the entire team without their head coach two weeks before the season starts. Perez made it known on social media that Masiello is his coach and he was extremely disappointed with what the university decided on. This past week has been rough for Perez.

Many schools made a pursuit for the New York native. Perez chose West Virginia 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 averaged 18.9 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists for Manhattan last season.