WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS NEWS

West Virginia's Kerr Kriisa suspended nine games for receiving impermissible benefits

West Virginia guard Kerr Kriisa has been suspended nine games for receiving impermissible benefits while enrolled at Arizona.

OCTOBER 31, 2023

West Virginia's Kerr Kriisa suspended 9 games for receiving impermissible benefits at Arizona

West Virginia guard Kerr Kriisa has been suspended nine games for receiving impermissible benefits

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

West Virginia G Kerr Kriisa suspended 9 games Mar 4, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa (25) controls the ball as UCLA Bruins defends during the first...

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Kerr Kriisa - Receives nine-game suspension Kriisa received a nine-game suspension for NCAA violations, according to the Mountaineers' team website.

Impact Kriisa admitted to receiving "impermissible benefits" while enrolled at Arizona. Sitting out the 2023-24 Mountaineers' first nine games indicates he cannot play until Dec. 16 against Massachusetts. Currently without him or Noah Farrakhan (waiver) eligible for games until mid-December, better opportunities are expected to be a given for certain guards. They include Omar Silverio, Kobe Johnson and Jeremiah Bembry.

OCTOBER 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

West Virginia forward Akok Akok released from hospital after collapsing on court

West Virginia forward Akok Akok has been released from a hospital where he was taken after collapsing on the court during an exhibition game...

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Quinn Slazinski - Puts in 21 from bench Slazinski had 21 points (5-12 FG, 3-4 3 Pt, 8-10 FT), four rebounds and two assists across 26 minutes off the bench in Friday's 85-78 exhibition victory over George Mason.

Impact Slazinski didn't get the start in this matchup, but he tied Jesse Edwards for the team-high in both scoring and field goals attempted. He also appears to be a likely candidate to step into the starting five in place of Akok Akok, who collapsed on the court in a scary incident Friday but is now fortunately OK. Nonetheless, Akok doesn't currently have a return timetable, and the West Virginia frontcourt depth was already a bit thin, so Slazinski could jump immediately on the fantasy radar to open the 2023-24 campaign.

OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jesse Edwards - Fills exhibition stat sheet Edwards had 21 points (8-12 FG< 0-1 3Pt, 5-8 FT), seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists before fouling out of Friday's 85-78 exhibition victory over George Mason.

Impact It was the first appearance in a West Virginia uniform for Edwards, and the team's only scheduled exhibition matchup went incredibly well for the grad transfer from Syraxcuse. The 6-11 center matched the game-high scoring total and contributed across the board in WVU's second-half comeback. Depth is likely going to be an issue in the Mountaineer frontcourt after forward Akok Akok was stretchered off the court Friday and was left with an uncertain return timeline, so Edwards will presumably be given all the minutes he can handle at the five.

OCTOBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

West Virginia's Akok Akok recovering at home following collapse West Virginia forward Akok Akok is recovering at his home in Morgantown after he collapsed on the court during a charity exhibition game, th...

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

West Virginia forward Akok Akok released from hospital after collapsing on court during exhibition

West Virginia forward Akok Akok has been released from a hospital where he was taken after collapsing on the court during an exhibition game

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Noah Farrakhan - Ineligible for previous game Farrakhan (not injury related) was ineligible to participate in the Mountaineers' exhibition game Friday against George Mason, per Ethan Bock of West Virginia Sports Now.

Impact Farrakhan has not received a decision concerning his eligibility for the Mountaineers' 2023-24 season. Ideally for him, he becomes eligible when it begins. There is a chance Farrakhan may not receive eligibility though, as new teammate RaeQuan Battle found out earlier in October.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Akok Akok - Recovering at home Akok (undisclosed) is recovering at his home in Morgantown, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Akok collapsed during West Virginia's exhibition game Friday against George Mason. Fortunately, he was able to return home healthily and will be monitored moving forward. But due to the magnitude of Akok's unfortunate incident, it is unlikely he plays when the Mountaineers begin their 2023-24 season by hosting Missouri State on Nov. 6.

OCTOBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Former UConn men's basketball player Akok Akok in stable condition after collapsing on court in West Virginia Former UConn men’s basketball player Akok Akok is in stable condition after collapsing on the court in a game at West Virginia University on...

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Akok Akok: West Virginia player collapses on court West Virginia forward Akok Akok has been hospitalized after collapsing on the court during a charity exhibition game.

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • BALTIMORESUN.COM

West Virginia forward Akok Akok hospitalized after collapsing on court during exhibition

Akok is stable and responsive, according to West Virginia interim coach Josh Eilert.

OCTOBER 28, 2023

WVU forward Akok Akok rushed to hospital during WVU exhibition victory against George Mason - Dominion Post MORGANTOWN — There were stats and some moments that even caught the WVU players by surprise Friday night, in what turned out to be an 85-78...

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • DOMINIONPOST.COM

West Virginia forward Akok Akok hospitalized, stable after collapsing on court during exhibition

West Virginia forward Akok Akok has been hospitalized and is stable after collapsing on the court during a charity exhibition game

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Akok Akok collapses during West Virginia exhibition, hospitalized West Virginia forward Akok Akok collapsed during the Mountaineers’ charity exhibition against visiting George Mason Friday night and had to...

OCTOBER 28, 2023 • SUNHERALD.COM

Akok Akok - Suffers "medical emergency" Friday Akok suffered a medical emergency during Friday's exhibition match, the West Virginia men's basketball team announced.

Impact Akok was stretchered off the court during the second half of Friday's exhibition match versus George Mason, in what is now being described by the team as a "medical emergency." He has been transported to the local hospital, and the team said more information will be provided when it's available.

OCTOBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Akok Akok - Stretchered off court Friday Akok was taken off the court on a stretcher during Friday's exhibition game versus George Mason, Keenan Cummings of WVSports.com reports.

Impact Akok was taken off the court on a stretcher during the second half of Friday's exhibition game, in what Cummings described as a "very, very scary situation." It is unclear what exactly happened to Akok, although there are reports that he collapsed. More information about what happened may surface in the coming days.

OCTOBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

RaeQuan Battle - Denied eligibility waiver Battle was denied an eligibility waiver for West Virginia's 2023-24 season, according to the team.

Impact Battle, a two-time transfer, required an eligibility waiver to participate in the NCAA's 2023-24 season. However, the NCAA refused to give him a waiver, meaning Battle would have to sit out until its 2024-25 season to play again. West Virginia's basketball team will appeal the decision. But should it stand, the Mountaineers will have to undergo their 2023-24 season without Battle, who was projected to be one of their top options.

OCTOBER 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

COLUMN: Josiah Harris' story on graduating early is one refreshing tale - Dominion Post MORGANTOWN — It is rather rare these days, especially in a world of college athletics that seems to have universities cemented in greed and...

OCTOBER 10, 2023 • DOMINIONPOST.COM

COLUMN: WVU's men's hoops team has a path to success, but it's a narrow one - Dominion Post MORGANTOWN — In terms of expectations, Josh Eilert isn’t ready to place any on his first WVU men’s basketball team, which didn’t change much...

OCTOBER 7, 2023 • DOMINIONPOST.COM

Josh Eilert shares details on removal of Jose Perez, 'I'm going to make the right decisions in the best interest of everybody' - Dominion Post MORGNTOWN — Josh Eilert closed the curious case of Jose Perez during his media conference Tuesday. The WVU men’s interim basketball coach ci...

OCTOBER 3, 2023 • DOMINIONPOST.COM

NOTEBOOK: WVU marks a basketball first with two new head coaches at the same time - Dominion Post MORGANTOWN — Combined, the WVU men’s and women’s basketball teams have played nearly two centuries worth of hoops. For the first time ever,...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 • DOMINIONPOST.COM

Bob Huggins gets probation, enters diversionary program Former West Virginia men’s basketball coach Bob Huggins was placed on 12 months of probation for his June DUI arrest after agreeing to enter...

AUGUST 16, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM