Buckles denied transfer; to finish career at FIU

The Panthers plan to keep a big man on roster after a waiver to transfer was denied.

Rakeem Buckles, a transfer from Louisville, will be staying on roster as a scholarship player under new Head Coach Anthony Evans.

Richard Pitino, who coached Buckles at Louisville and FIU, told Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com that the fifth-year senior will be returning to campus and that his transfer waiver to Minnesota was denied by the NCAA.

When Pitino took the head coaching position with the Gophers, word had come up that Buckles was looking to join Pitino and former Panther guard Malik Smith.

Once it was official that there would be no postseason for the Panther, it became inevitable that Buckles would look at every option of joining Pitino and Smith.

Buckles sat out his first year at FIU due to transfer rules by the NCAA.

There is no way Buckles was able to foresee the loss of Pitino to Minnesota and the loss of a postseason. Adding insult to injury, Buckles has been played by such. He saw a season end twice due to a torn ACL, as well as missing time due to a spiral fracture in his finger while with the Cardinals.

It is unsure why Buckles’ waiver was denied. If the waiver would’ve been accepted, it wouldn’t have been the first time a player with one year of eligibility remaining received a waiver from the NCAA to transfer and be granted access to play immediately because of a postseason ban.

Along with Smith, Alex Oriakhi chose to leave UConn when they were facing a postseason ban and played last season at Missouri.

About the Author

Patrick Chalvire
: Radio Host for Panther Sports Talk Live. Assistant Sports Director for The Beacon. Majoring in Communication Arts. Sports fan and aspiring anchor.

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