According to the Canisius College Athletics Department, junior guard Billy Baron—a recent transfer from Rhode Island—will be eligible to play in the 2012-13 season because of an NCAA waiver that allows him to play for his father. Jim Baron, the new head coach for Canisius, was hired April 2.

“I am really excited for Billy on a personal level and we are extremely happy to have him join our program at Canisius,” Jim Baron said.

Like Trey Zeigler, who received immediate eligibility after transferring from Central Michigan to Pittsburgh after his father, Ernie, was fired at CMU, Baron was the beneficiary of the NCAA’s surprisingly lenient stance on hardship waivers. The blogosphere has been particularly irate about the way immediate transfers have been granted.

Baron will have two years of eligibility remaining at Canisius, and he joins four returning starters and eight letter-winners at a Canisius program that has positioned itself well for 2012-13. Highly-regarded transfers Freddy Asprilla from Kansas State, Isaac Sosa from Central Florida and Jordan Heath from Roberts Wesleyan all sat out last season due to transfer rules but will debut for the Griffs under Baron. Harold Washington, Chris Manhertz, Alshwan Hymes and Josiah Heath are the team’s returning starters.

Billy Baron averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists for the Rhode Island Rams last season. He’s transferred twice now, as he spent his freshman season playing for the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC.