BYU COUGARS
Arizona Transfer Alex Barcello Cleared To Play Immediately At BYU
Oct 25, 2019, 5:07 PM | Updated: 6:27 pm
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 16: Alex Barcello #23 of the Arizona Wildcats plays the ball past Sergi Costa #75 of the Mataro All-Stars during the Arizona In Espana Foreign Tour game between Mataro All-Stars and Arizona on August 16, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – BYU basketball and the NCAA have usually led to heartbreak for Cougar fans. But this time, it’s good news.
Arizona transfer point guard Alex Barcello has received a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately this season for the BYU basketball team.
Unbelievably grateful, and so excited for season to start!! pic.twitter.com/uAB8XSRP4N
— Alex Barcello (@AlexBarcello23) October 25, 2019
Barcello committed to BYU this past August after taking in an official visit to campus.
The former four-star recruit out of Tempe, Arizona in the class of 2017 entered the transfer portal back in June.
Sources tell KSL Sports Barcello’s waiver request stemmed from the off-the-court issues in the Arizona basketball program that includes FBI investigations.
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BYU head coach Mark Pope became aware of Barcello when he was in high school playing AAU ball. Once Barcello entered the transfer portal, Pope and his staff were in immediate contact with the former Wildcat.
During practices this past month, Barcello has been in lineups that feature Yoeli Childs and Jake Toolson. There was always optimism in the program around Barcello’s request, it was just waiting on the NCAA. Now they have their answer and Barcello is a huge boost to a BYU team that desperately needs depth.
Back in September #BYU head coach Mark Pope had high praise for Alex Barcello. “He gives us something in the backcourt we don’t have, in terms of his physicality. He’s gonna be really good. He’s a pass first guy and he’s a bulldog of a player.” @kslsports pic.twitter.com/flJrCVcx8I
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 25, 2019
Back in September on the Cougar Tracks Podcast, BYU assistant coach Cody Fueger had this to say about Barcello.
“If there is a perfect point guard to play for Mark Pope, it’s him … he’s a workaholic, he’s in here every day, just a great guy to be around. All of his teammates love being around him. He just brings joy and he’s just a great character kid and he’s a perfect fit here.”
Barcello will be a junior this season at BYU and have two years to play two. During his two seasons with the Wildcats, Barcello averaged 2.9 points per game in nine minutes a night.
BYU has one more waiver they are waiting on in Utah Valley transfer Richard Harward.
BYU opens the 2019-20 season at home on November 5th against Cal State Fullerton.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
