In a surprising development, Billy Baron, the son of new Canisius College head coach Jim Baron, has decided to follow his father to Western New York.

According to CBS Sports’ Jeff Goodman, above, Billy Baron has to apply for an NCAA waiver to be eligible immediately. There’s precedent, as Trey Zeigler, who left Central Michigan this winter after his father was fired, was granted immediate eligibility at Pittsburgh. 

If Baron (@Billy_Baron on Twitter) is able to play this year, the Griffins’ backcourt becomes both more crowded and more talented. With the Rams last season, he averaged 13 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists, but his shooting percentages were disappointing: 40% from the floor, 31% from downtown. The coach’s son, who was raised in Olean, will have two seasons remaining in his college career—he spent one at Virginia in the ACC, then one at Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10—and experienced some success at both stops.

There’s still no true point guard to complement a multitude of scorers, but Baron (junior), Washington (senior), Alshwan Hymes (senior) and transfer Isaac Sosa (senior) are all starting caliber, and Washington can run the point to some degree. Head coach Jim Baron will have his hands full in divvying minutes, but the guards can play aggressively with the knowledge that there’s so much depth. Would that scholarship spot have been open if Belardo, Santiago and Milian hadn’t transferred? An exciting turn of events for Canisius, a team in desperate need of a spark to draw fans.

Did you know there’s a Jim Baron bobble-head? The younger Baron, whose older brother Jimmy plays in Spain, tweeted out a photo late Thursday night.

Here’s an interview and some highlights of Billy Baron during his time at Rhode Island. The Rams went 7-24 in his lone season.

(Header photo courtesy of CoxSportsOnline.com).