MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Already off to a 3-0 start, the WVU men’s basketball team added another piece to its front line on Wednesday.
Junior forward Gabe Osabuohien was declared immediately eligible Wedensday, by the NCAA, meaning the 6-foot-7, 235-pounder could see action Friday against Boston University, as well as the rest of the season.
The Mountaineers were informed of the NCAA’s decision during practice on Wednesday.
“Obviously, we are all excited for Gabe and for our entire team,” WVU coach Bob Huggins said in a statement. “Our guys were ecstatic when we got word of his immediate eligibility during practice. He gives us another much-needed big man who can defend on the perimeter as well as play on the offensive end. We are pleased that the NCAA approved his waiver.”
Osabuohien was dismissed by Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman on Aug. 15, for undisclosed reasons and the forward then entered the transfer portal.
He announced on social media a week later that he had transferred to West Virginia and enrolled at the school for the fall semester.
By the start of preseason practices in October, WVU had begun the process of submitting Osabuohien’s case to the NCAA for an eligibility waiver. He was able to practice and workout with his teammates during the process.
As part of the waiver process, the NCAA also heard information from Arkansas athletic officials, before rendering its decision Wednesday.
Osabuohien, a native of Toronto, Ontario, averaged 3.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore with the Razorbacks. He became a starter toward the end of the season and was known for being a solid on-ball defender.
He shot 34% (48 of 141) from the field in two seasons with the Razorbacks.
Osabuohien will join a WVU front line that already includes 6-10 center Derek Culver, 6-9 forward Oscar Tshiebwe and 6-7 forward Emmitt Matthews Jr.
Osabuohien will become the first Division I transfer to play at WVU under Huggins since Juwan Staten in 2015.
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