Georgia Tech’s Trae Golden receives NCAA waiver

With the blessings of the NCAA, Georgia Tech will have its senior guard this season.

On Thursday, the NCAA approved the school's hardship waiver request for transfer Trae Golden, allowing him to play immediately. Golden transferred from Tennessee over the summer to Tech to be close to his father, who is ill. Golden is from Powder Springs.

“He’s a senior, and he’ll add some great experience to our program and will really help us out, as well,” Tech coach Brian Gregory said.

After three seasons at Tennessee, Golden will have one season of eligibility at Tech. He'll be a valuable addition to the roster, as Gregory would have otherwise had to rely on sophomore Solomon Poole and freshmen Corey Heyward and Travis Jorgenson at point guard. Golden can play both point guard and shooting guard, and may play both. Gregory has said he plans to play more than one point guard at the same time.

Golden started 58 games at Tennessee, including 24 last season, when he averaged 12.1 points and 3.9 assists.

“We are extremely grateful that the NCAA has supported and granted Trae’s waiver for immediate eligibility,” Gregory said in a statement. “We are excited for Trae and his family. We look forward to Trae earning his degree from Georgia Tech and having a special senior season.”