NCAA Basketball: 20 biggest pending waiver decisions for 2020-21 season
2. Jairus Hamilton – Boston College to Maryland
2019-20 stats: 9.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg
The 6’8 combo forward was a very solid player for the Eagles this past season, despite being at times the 4th or 5th option on the court. He does a little bit of everything well, although the perimeter shooting could use some work. But Hamilton’s versatility makes him an intriguing player to watch and a breakout star candidate.
Maryland desperately could use Hamilton in the frontcourt next season. The backcourt is set but the current eligible group of big men features Donta Scott, Chol Marial, Alabama grad transfer Galen Smith and recent international pickup Arnaud Revaz. This foursome features either inexperience or a severe lack of scoring talent. With Hamilton’s ability to play and defend both forward positions, the Terrapins could finally feel comfortable with its depth after reaching out to every frontcourt player in the portal this offseason.
1. Olivier Sarr – Wake Forest to Kentucky
2019-20 stats: 13.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg
There was no reason to try and be cute here, as this is the transfer every NCAA Basketball observer is looking at whether or not a waiver happens. Sarr left the Demon Deacons right after his coach was fired and hopes that is enough for a waiver. However, there isn’t a precedent from the NCAA to validate that kind of reasoning. It has been either for being “ran off” from the previous program, or going back close to home. And neither works for the French center.
After missing out on a number of other center options this Summer, Kentucky was able to land Sarr. He’s the only player on the roster who can play at the center position and his experience would be greatly appreciated on a team as young as the Wildcats. He’d play the same role as a Nate Sestina and Reid Travis.
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What Sarr offers the Wildcats is a five-star athlete with great size (7’0 and 255 pounds) while capable of being an effective low-post scorer and rebounding machine. He doesn’t have to produce 30 points and 17 rebounds a night as he did against Notre Dame but if given a waiver, Sarr fills the lone true weakness on the roster for Kentucky Basketball. What the NCAA does here could determine if the Wildcats are legit national title contenders or not.