Josh Eilert confirms West Virginia has asked for reconsideration on RaeQuan Battle waiver

West Virginia men’s basketball head coach Josh Eilert provided some information on whether we could see RaeQuan Battle back on the court anytime soon.

Following the Mountaineers’ victory over the Drexel Dragons, Eilert revealed that the program is pining for a reconsideration for Battle from the NCAA, but it remains to be seen if it’s granted.

“You can bring new information to the table and try to ask for a reconsideration,” Eilert explained, during his press conference over the weekend. “There’s a reconsideration in play. It’s up to them what they do with it.”

Alas, the saga began when Battle’s initial waiver request was denied this spring, after the former Montana State star decided he wanted to take his talents to West Virginia.

The NCAA denied Battle’s initial waiver request at first, and then denied West Virginia’s appeal on his behalf last month, after the NCAA announced more stern guidelines for transfers. The aforementioned guidelines included, “proof that a transfer would enhance a player’s mental health if it had been ‘impaired’ at a previous school,” ESPN’s Myron Medcalf reported.

According to Medcalf, Battle told the NCAA the transfer to West Virginia would be beneficial to his mental health, the byproduct of a traumatic stretch in recent years. “Battle, one of the few Indigenous Division I basketball players, has also accused the NCAA of ignoring Native American communities,” Medcalf wrote.

Amid all the drama, Battle has now filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA, and he’s asked a judge to issue a temporary restraining order in his effort to gain immediate eligibility to play. Per ESPN, his lawyers have accused the NCAA of weaponizing waiver requests with inconsistent evaluations.

“For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff asks this Court to judge, hold, and declare that he has an economic right to market and license his name, image and likeness,” stated the complaint filed on Battle’s behalf in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia by attorney Rocky Gianola, via Medcalf. “For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff asks this Court to judge, hold, and declare that he has a right to attend West Virginia University.

“For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff asks this Court to judge, hold, and declare that he has a right to play on the varsity basketball team at West Virginia University. For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff asks this Court to judge, hold, and declare that he has a right to be treated fairly by the NCAA.”

It remains to be seen if RaeQuan Battle is granted a waiver and eligible to play for West Virginia this season, but he’ll keep fighting for the opportunity to suit up until it happens.