SEC announces it will grant immediate eligibility to intraconference transfers

[caption id="attachment_354535" align="aligncenter" width="787"] (SEC Staff)[/caption] This news was teased as a possibility earlier in the day and now we have confirmation. On Thursday afternoon, the Southeastern Conference announced that it would allow immediate eligibility for intraconference transfers, which will go into effect right away. The decision was made by the SEC's Presidents and Chancellors and comes on the same day that the Big East Conference also allowed immediate eligibility for intraconference transfers. For the Kentucky Men's Basketball team, this is massive news, as it means that Georgia transfer Sahvir Wheeler can now suit up and play as a member of the Wildcats for the upcoming 2021-22 college basketball season. Before the rule change, intraconference transfers were required to sit out for an entire calendar year or apply for an immediate eligibility waiver. https://twitter.com/SEC/status/1400592381859307525 "This is an important measure to further support student-athletes throughout the Southeastern Conference," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in the conference's press release. "While maintaining the expectation that coaches and others avoid improper recruiting, this change will ensure that student-athletes who enroll at an SEC member institution will enjoy the flexibility afforded to other student-athletes across the nation." In order for transferring student-athletes to qualify for immediate eligibility, they must declare that they intend to transfer by February 1 for Fall sport, May 1 for Winter sports, and July 1 for Spring sports. [SEC Sports]