Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
Editor's note: The NCAA has agreed to extend the multi-time transfer order through the academic season, Ohio attorney general Dave Yost announced Friday afternoon. The previous 14-day order is now extended through the year, which allows Deivon Smith to be immediately eligible to play Saturday.
SALT LAKE CITY — At the same time the men's basketball team learned the Crimson Collective was providing leased vehicles to the team, transfer guard Deivon Smith got some even better news.
Or so it seemed initially.
A West Virginia judge granted a 14-day temporary restraining order against the NCAA's ability to stop players from multi-time transfers Wednesday, paving the way for Smith to play his first game with the Runnin' Utes over that 14-day period as he awaits an appeal to a waiver petition that was denied Dec. 4.
The temporary order was anything but clear, though, on the future status of Smith's eligibility — and others in his position — once that 14-day period lapsed. If Smith played, would the NCAA retroactively rule his season ineligible and effectively kill his appeal to play this season, or would it have no bearing on his status?
The NCAA initially said it would not prevent athletes from playing, but then released a Q&A document for teams Thursday, which effectively said if a player still waiting for a waiver played during that 14-day period and the court's ruling was reversed, that athlete would lose a season of eligibility.
To play or not to play; that's the question.
It's a gamble for athletes like Smith: Play and hope the West Virginia order continues for the duration of the season, or play and risk the remaining part of the season.
It's a decision that Utah and Smith aren't rushing into — even with a game coming up Saturday (2 p.m. MST, Pac-12 Networks) against Utah Valley.
"Deivon just found out — I talked to him about it — and so we're going to take our time, just like we have been doing for the last, what, 30 hours trying to accumulate as much information as we can, and then try to make the best decision possible for him," Utah head coach Craig Smith said Thursday night. "Obviously, it's his decision — it's his career — but we're going to talk this thing out with him, with his family, and then go from there."
NCAA provides clarity on a lingering issue: An athlete who competes in a game over the next 14 days will lose a season of eligibility if the court's ruling is reversed. It counts.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 14, 2023
Full Q&A on the transfer situation from the NCAA: pic.twitter.com/3eKu6LU4Ar
The Utes head coach said the team hopes to have a decision Friday on the direction Deivon Smith will pursue, but there was no rush for him when looking at his options and his future.
"It's easy to think short term, but you've still got to think long term on this thing, and there's a lot to think about," Craig Smith said. "It's amazing how much this has changed in the last 36 hours. So, yeah, there's a lot to think about."
The two-time transfer previously from Georgia Tech and Mississippi State was preparing to play Saturday before Thursday's Q&A document was released. He was made aware of the update just minutes before Craig Smith spoke with media, so no decisions were settled upon at the time.
Though Deivon Smith would be an instant upgrade to the roster, if not for depth at point guard alone, his eligibility remains a factor to consider, especially with a third of the season already behind him.
Smith has two years left of eligibility and a redshirt season, which could be used this year to preserve two full seasons.
To complicate matters further for Smith, the NCAA may not hear appeals in the interim based on the West Virginia order, which would delay his previous appeal process even further. The NCAA already takes the holiday season off and will be delayed in its consideration of any waiver appeal.
"Just talking to him now, though, oh my goodness, just how mature he's been and how he's handled this stuff," Craig Smith said. "I can't — it'd be hard for me to do that."
Regardless, Deivon Smith continues to practice with the team as if he'll be ready to play — much like he has all season. Maybe he suits up Saturday, but that decision likely will come down to the wire for the promising guard.
