The VCU basketball team will likely be missing a key ingredient this upcoming season.

Joe Bamisile’s waiver for eligibility has been rejected by the NCAA. That means he will not be permitted to suit up for the 2023-24 season.

VCU is appealing the decision.

If the NCAA’s decision holds, Bamisile would then have two seasons of eligibility starting with the 2024-25 campaign.

After starring at Monacan High in Chesterfield County, the 6-foot-4 wing has played at three Division I schools – Virginia Tech in 2020-21, George Washington in 2021-22 and Oklahoma in 2022-23.

He was most impressive at GW (Atlantic-10 foe of VCU), averaging 16.3 points and five rebounds in 31.4 minutes per contest.

On Jan. 11, 2022, Bamisile scored 11 points for GW in an 84-57 Rams win at the Siegel Center.

With a wide range of talents, many felt Bamisile might be the leading scorer for this season’s Rams.

Bamisile’s appeal for immediate eligibility at VCU was based on a desire to address his father’s health issues and mental health concerns of his own. John Bamisile, Joe’s dad, underwent open heart surgery in recent years.

If the appeal fails, Coach Ryan Odom’s Rams will have 10 scholarship players to start the season but at least two walk-ons. The NCAA allows 13. There also is concern that 6-foot-9 Kuany Kuany, a transfer from California, may be late joining the team due to a shoulder injury.

Even without Bamisile, VCU will have three local players – redshirt freshman Alphonzo Billups from Varina and sophomore Jason Nelson and junior Roosevelt Wheeler, both from John Marshall.

VCU opens its season Nov. 6 at home against McNeese, La., State, coached by former VCU head coach Will Wade.