Kahliel Spear’s transfer waiver denied, will sit out the 2020-21 basketball season

Kahliel+Spear%2C+who+transferred+to+Robert+Morris+from+Bucknell+for+this+season%2C+will+have+to+sit+out+the+entire+2020-21+season+due+to+the+NCAA+denying+his+transfer+waiver+request.+Photo+Credit%3A+Bucknell+Athletics

Kahliel Spear, who transferred to Robert Morris from Bucknell for this season, will have to sit out the entire 2020-21 season due to the NCAA denying his transfer waiver request. Photo Credit: Bucknell Athletics

Ethan Morrison

Late Wednesday night, it was announced that junior forward Kahliel Spear was denied the eligibility waiver he requested earlier in the year. Spear, a transfer from Bucknell, joined the program back in May.

Some college basketball analysts such as Jon Rothstein have said that the NCAA has handed out waivers “like they’re seedless watermelon at a 4th of July Party”.

While it is true that the NCAA has been handing out waivers left and right, it seems that the proverbial seedless watermelon has run out with the denial of Spear’s waiver.

If Spear’s waiver would have been approved, it would have been an immediate boost for an already solid Colonials lineup. At Bucknell last season, Spear appeared in 32 games, starting in two. He averaged 4.8 points-per-game along with 3.2 rebounds. He also led the Bison in blocks with 26 which was good for sixth overall in the Patriot League.

Spear would have fit in with the RMU rotation nicely, especially after the Colonials lost Yannis Mendy due to graduation. Spear would have brought his explosiveness and his defensive prowess along with his ability to stretch the floor to the team but will have to wait until next season to do so.

There has been no word yet on whether Spear and Robert Morris will appeal the denial of the waiver to the NCAA.

Fans will have to wait and see Kahliel Spear hit the floor in the 2021-22 season, but for now, Robert Morris is set to face Saint Francis next Saturday at 7:00 at Delgol Arena in Loretto, Pennsylvania.