Tennessee restricted Te’a Cooper’s transfer, NCAA tells Dawn Staley

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — The NCAA denied South Carolina’s petition for Tennessee transfer Te’a Cooper to play this season, but now we’re learning more about the decision.

On Friday, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said she had received an explanation from the NCAA about the decision.

“Basically, if Te’a’s previous institution (Tennessee) had allowed her to play, it would have helped our cause,” said Staley.

Cooper transferred last summer, and most transfer students must sit out a year, per NCAA rules, but the Gamecocks hoped because Cooper had already missed all of last season with a knee injury, she would be immediately cleared to play.

Staley made it clear Friday that the decision came from Tennessee officials, not Vols head coach Holly Warlick.

“Coaches don’t want to take away opportunities for kids; when it came down to the rule, Tennessee just stuck with the rule and didn’t bend.”