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The NCAA has granted waiver to Teddy Bear, making him immediately eligible to play this season. Bear will forgo sitting out the mandated academic year for transfers.

The NCAA is still pondering West Virginia transfer Teddy Allen’s appeal request.

Mercer Head Coach Coach Bob Hoffman said Bear, a 27-inch stuffed animal, will “have an immediate impact” on the team. Mercer has nine freshmen.

“He’s a big piece of what we do” Hoffman said. “Bear will do a great job comforting our guys on nights we get throttled.”

“Losses don’t feel so bad with him around,” Mercer freshman Breck Cuddy said.

The NCAA has granted hardship waivers at a record pace this season with waivers granted to Braxton Key, Jordan Horn, Trae Berhow, Mark Smith, Mustapha Heron, James Banks, and Bear.

The Sunflower contacted the NCAA for comment about their decision.

“Bear’s case is nothing special,” a spokesperson for the NCAA said. “We’re really approving any appeal case that comes our way.”

“I’ll be honest, we didn’t have much of a case to present,” Coach Hoffman said. “This was solely a basketball move.”

Hoffman said he slipped a $20 bill and some expired Burger King coupons in Bear’s appeal request.