Two of the most heralded freshmen in the country -- Kentucky's John Wall and Mississippi State's Renardo Sidney -- still haven't been cleared to play, Southeast Conference commissioner Mike Slive told ESPN.com.
Sidney's eligibility issues shouldn't surprise anyone -- concerns about his family's lifestyle, which involved very comfortable living arrangements and no obvious means of support -- may have scared off several schools, including UCLA and USC. But the news that Wall's status is uncertain comes as a surprise. The issue stems from the fact that Wall's AAU coach was registered with FIBA as a player-agent; Wall may be required to repay the coach for any benefits he received from their relationship before he's cleared to play.
It's possible that the NCAA Clearinghouse is proceeding a little more carefully with high-profile freshman than in years past. Earlier this year their work came into question amidst the allegations that Memphis guard Derrick Rose had someone take his SAT for him. The NCAA cleared Rose to play for Memphis. By the time the SAT issues surfaced, Rose was half way through his rookie season with the Chicago Bulls.
- John Wall Profile and Scouting Report
- Renardo Sidney Profile and Scouting Report
- Freshmen to Watch: 2009-10
- NCAA vs. Memphis: Tigers' Final Four Appearance Vacated
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