Jerry DiPaola is a Tribune-Review staff writer. But even for a year, he’ll have a big impact on whichever program he decides. Bilas attributed this confusing situation as a potential emotional response from Miami. Sibande is a traditional sit-one transfer, barring new waiver legislation which is due to be put to a vote on May 20. Pitt shooting guard Nike Sibande was publicly jammed up in his transfer process by staff members at his former school, Miami (Ohio), but on Wednesday, … He averaged 13.9, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists last season as a junior. But these suggestions should be sent Pittsburgh has landed a commitment from Miami (Ohio) Guard Nike Sibande. Get the latest news about Pitt basketball and all things Panthers athletics. He sent Capel news of the NCAA’s proposed action, accompanied by a smiley face emoji. We appreciate it when readers and people quoted in articles or blog posts point out errors of fact or emphasis and will investigate all assertions. We follow the same standards for taste as the daily newspaper. You can contact Jerry by email at jdipaola@triblive.com or via Twitter . The NCAA has denied Sibande’s waiver request to … Miami coach Jim Larranaga also would benefit from the rule change because he’s hoping to get Stony Brook transfer Elijah Olaniyi into his lineup, perhaps as soon as Wednesday. Miami (OH) Transfer, Nike Sibande commits to Pittsburgh. The decision was uncommon, as … He provides good offense from the off-ball position and is a better defender than any of the returning guards they do have. The guard has recently sized down his list of options to a select group of five; Alabama, Arkansas, Georgetown, Georgia and Xavier. If the NCAA acts as expected Wednesday and grants transfer athletes immediate eligibility, coach Jeff Capel said guard Nike Sibande will play in Pitt’s ACC opener that night at Miami. According to 247Sports, Kentucky has contacted Miami (OH) guard Nike Sibande, a 6-foot-4, 183-pound senior originally out of Indianapolis, IN. The junior is a great athlete, strong rebounder from the shooting guard position and can defend as well. Nike Sibande is in the transfer portal and is down to five schools. Our goal is to provide substantive commentary for a general readership. They are still awaiting word back from the NCAA on that appeal. 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As waiver requests for immediate eligibility have been granted across college basketball at an unusually high rate, Nike Sibande stands as an outlier. Our commenting has been temporarily disabled. Nike transferring had been a rumor thrown around on social media over the course of the last week. In this case, we may fix spelling and punctuation. That doesn’t even include what incoming four-star guard Josh Primo does to insert himself into the rotation. CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 28: Paul Scruggs #1 of the Xavier Musketeers dribbles the ball against Nike Sibande #1 of the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Cintas Center on … pittsburghsportsnow.com | 12-03. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas, who has criticized the NCAA’s transfer process in the past, asked Owens why Miami had attempted to block Sibande’s waiver request, and Owens in turn provided false information about Sibande’s motivations for relocating. “If he’s cleared, he’ll play right away,” Capel said. — Nike (@sibande_nike) November 17, 2020. So, while nothing is official, it seems like this is the second departure of the off-season. Sibande averaged 13.9 points for the Redhawks this past season, while pulling down 5.9 rebounds and dishing out 1.7 in 31 games of action. If the NCAA acts as expected Wednesday and grants transfer athletes immediate eligibility, coach Jeff Capel said guard Nike Sibande will play in Pitt’s ACC opener that night at Miami. Pitt transfer guard Nike Sibande granted eligibility for this season Dec. 16, 2020 5:43 PM EST Elliot Donald, WPIAL standouts headline Pitt's heralded 2021 signing day We welcome strong opinions and criticism of our work, but we don't want comments to become bogged down with discussions of our policies and we will moderate accordingly. We value thoughtful comments representing a range of views that make their point quickly and politely. Pitt guard Nike Sibande was denied a transfer waiver by the NCAA last month that would have granted him immediate eligibility to play. The 6’4 guard’s numbers don’t jump out immediately but there is an elite level of consistency with his game. His waiver for immediate eligibility is still in process as the Panthers enter Saturday's contest. Terms of Service. $450K grant will go toward revitalizing Fineview and Perry Hilltop neighborhoods This time it came from Miami (OH) with leading scorer and rebounder Nike Sibande, … (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images), FAYETTEVILLE, AR – MARCH 9: Kira Lewis Jr. #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images). He’s been a really good scorer at this level.”. The offensive scheme would help develop his game in the two years with the program. The 6-foot-4 guard from Miami (Ohio) is considering Alabama, Arkansas, Georgetown, Georgia and Xavier. The original waiver was denied because the Miami basketball program contested the transfer, which is rarely done. Sibande is a 6-foot-4 rising senior guard from Indianapolis who spent the past three seasons playing for Miami (Ohio) of the Mid-American Conference. Of the returning guards they do have addition to the power conference level, which is why so many have... 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