Creighton’s Grant Gibbs May Try for Tricky Sixth Year
Grant Gibbs, running mate for All-American Doug McDermott at Creighton, may be seeking a sixth year. But Gibbs will have a challenging and uncertain case, even if the school gets the go-ahead from its law firm to file the case:
Gibbs has actually had a rather complex career. He spent two seasons at Gonzaga before transferring to Creighton, but the first year at Gonzaga, a redshirt year, coincided with an injury that would have kept him off the floor anyway. And when he sat out the customary transfer year at Creighton, he also had knee surgery.
Laying out Gibbs’ career as a compliance office would looks like this:
- 2008-09: Redshirted at Gonzaga with injury
- 2009-10: Played at Gonzaga
- 2010-11: Sat out at Creighton following transfer; Had knee surgery
- 2011-12: Played at Creighton
- 2012-13: Played at Creighton
A sixth-year clock extension waiver requires two denied participation opportunities. The two bold years above are the years Creighton will argue for the waiver. Both have a problem. The first injury is from 4-5 years ago and will depend on how well documented Gibbs’ injury was. The second is even more problematic, especially if the injury did not come up until after his transfer to Creighton.
Sixth-year waivers, contrary to popular belief, can be slam dunks. An athlete who has received two medical hardship waivers almost automatically qualifies for a sixth year. Gibbs’ case is much more difficult though. I put his odds at slightly better than Donte Hill’s, but would not bet the rent on either.
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