In May of 2019, Amir Harris announced that he would be transferring to GW.  Having his scholarship taken away by new Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg was the type of circumstance that typically allows a player to receive a transfer waiver, meaning the player would be eligible to play right away without having to sit out a full season (as long as the player is in good academic standing).  Amir wanted to play right away and while I can't find an exact date that GW would have applied for this waiver on Amir's behalf, it would stand to reason that this would have been done relatively soon after Amir arrived in DC.

Over the ensuing months,  others who applied for transfer waivers would learn their fate from the NCAA.  Some found out after practices had officially started.  A handful, like Amir, did not learn their fate until the actual season had started.  Three regular season games had been played before Amir received his transfer waiver.  It turned out that GW fans would have to wait even longer for Amir due to his meniscus injury, but this was separate and apart from the NCAA taking its sweet time in rendering a decision.

Last year, nearly 700 players transferred with approximately 375 of these players transferring to another Division 1 program.  Only a fraction of these 375 apply for transfer waivers.  (Think about someone like Tyler Cavanaugh who conventionally sat out a season because he had no grounds to receive a transfer waiver.).  So let's say 100 players apply for transfer waivers; could be a bit more or less, and I realize the trend is accelerating upward lately).  If the NCAA could resolve 4 cases a days, then the entire time line should take 25 days.  Fifty days if they rule on just 2 cases per day.

It's not like the NCAA procrastinates over this entire process,  Former Buckeye DJ Carton received his waiver to play right away for Marquette in April (yes, even during a pandemic).  Johnny Juzang left John Calipari for Westwood and found out in May that he'd be eligible to immediately play at UCLA.  Last week, Landers Nolley found out that he could play right away at Memphis. 

It seems though that these transfer waiver decisions drip ever so slowly.  Meanwhile, James Bishop who applied for such a waiver months ago, continues to wait, along with dozens of others.  As we've seen with Amir, the season may start with some players still not formally knowing whether their season will be that of a practice player or a fully eligible one.

Testing a new rule to allow anyone to transfer without sitting out has been shelved for a year.  This should happen in 2021-22 and I suspect if the NCAA has its way, will be here forever, removing their need to adjudicate transfer situations.  Which would then beg the question, what will keep NCAA basketball  people so busy during the off-season?