NCAA denies Dez Wells’ eligibility waiver
by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports
The NCAA denied Maryland’s request to waive the normal transfer restrictions and permit guard/forward Dez Wells to play this season, the school confirmed to USA TODAY Sports Friday afternoon.
Maryland will appeal the process on Wells’ behalf, but the it is unclear how long the appeal process will take. Maryland officials cannot comment further.
Wells tweeted Friday: “Dont worry, God will make a way!! I trust him”
Wells’ situation is quite unusual, even considering it in the context of a nationwide rash of transfers (plenty of whom received waivers to play without sitting out a year, per the transfer requirements).
But Wells didn’t transfer to get closer to a sick relative or because of a coaching change or anything like that. He was dismissed by Xavier after his freshman season after violating the code of student conduct. A grand jury heard allegations of sexual assault against Wells and declined to charge him. The Hamilton County (Ohio) prosecutor also released a statement encouraging Xavier to revisit the situation and consider re-instating Wells in school. Xavier did not.
Wells then transferred to Maryland. He has been practicing with the team and was a part of Maryland Madness, the team’s season kickoff event.
The school is hoping its appeal will allow Wells to play this season instead of sitting out a year. He’s coming off a strong freshman campaign at Xavier, and he’d immediately become one of the Terps’ top players if he’s cleared to play this season. He made the Atlantic 10 all-rookie team last season after averaging 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
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