SEC Confirms John Wall may be ineligible too

[Russ Smith]

The SEC has confirmed to ESPN that 2 incoming freshmen basketball players are currently not eligible due to possible amateurism violations. The first one is of course Renardo Sidney at Miss State. The 2nd one they confirmed is John Wall at UK. Seems Wall's former AAU coach Brian Clifton was a FIBA certified professional agent and the NCAA has determined that any financial benefits Wall got from him would violate amateurism rules. Kentucky is trying to determine precisely how much money this actually is.

The NCAA confirmed that an amateurism violation could result in a suspension of up to 10% of the season which in basketball is 3 games. Note, that's 3 games for EACH violation, the NCAA has to determine not only how much money is involved that has to be repaid, but whether they consider this one continuous violation(they know it dates back to at least 2007) or if there may be multiple violations each one being a possible 3 games.

The NCAA has also confirmed they have not certified Lance Stephenson with Cincy yet also for amateurism concerns.

 

[overseascardfan]

I believe Wall will play this year, he is the number #1 ranked player and will generate a lot of money to the NCAA in jersey sales and ticket sales. Stephenson may be able to get in at some point this season but Sidney has been receiving benefits for years, if he gets in then Chris Webber needs to get all his awards back.

Doesn't matter though, these kids will enter the draft next year (Wall will go #1), maybe squeeze a year of classes in, most likely drop out inthe spring to attend draft camps.

 

[Russ Smith]

I believe Wall will play this year, he is the number #1 ranked player and will generate a lot of money to the NCAA in jersey sales and ticket sales. Stephenson may be able to get in at some point this season but Sidney has been receiving benefits for years, if he gets in then Chris Webber needs to get all his awards back.

Doesn't matter though, these kids will enter the draft next year (Wall will go #1), maybe squeeze a year of classes in, most likely drop out inthe spring to attend draft camps.

A friend of mine is a big UNC fan, he says most UNC followers are not surprised they all knew that Clifton was a former agent and that there were major issues with Wall being eligible or not.

I didn't follow his recruitment all that closely so this stuff is all new to me but apparently there's no question he took the money, the only question is how much and how does the NCAA count it, as one long violation, or a series of violations that all would have 3 game suspensions for them. He could repay the money and avoid the suspensions(like Mayo did when he took the free NBA tickets) but there's a limit to how much money they allow you to return before they suspend you, and apparently Wall very likely took more than the limit.

I think Sidney and Stephenson never play college ball, no idea on Wall just don't know the situation well enough.

It is ironic, Calipari gave a speech a couple of days ago where he said UK was going to be the pinnacle of college hoops again, on the court and off, athletically, academically, ethically etc. And now his star recruit may be ineligible.

 

[overseascardfan]

A friend of mine is a big UNC fan, he says most UNC followers are not surprised they all knew that Clifton was a former agent and that there were major issues with Wall being eligible or not.

I didn't follow his recruitment all that closely so this stuff is all new to me but apparently there's no question he took the money, the only question is how much and how does the NCAA count it, as one long violation, or a series of violations that all would have 3 game suspensions for them. He could repay the money and avoid the suspensions(like Mayo did when he took the free NBA tickets) but there's a limit to how much money they allow you to return before they suspend you, and apparently Wall very likely took more than the limit.

I think Sidney and Stephenson never play college ball, no idea on Wall just don't know the situation well enough.

It is ironic, Calipari gave a speech a couple of days ago where he said UK was going to be the pinnacle of college hoops again, on the court and off, athletically, academically, ethically etc. And now his star recruit may be ineligible.

The thing is UK fans don't care how slimy or unethical Cal is, they care only about winning, particularly boosters. He is untouchable in their minds after a great recruiting haul (I guess they are lucky their back up is Eric Bledsoe) even with th possibility of Wall missing some games. College basketball is full of scumbags but as long as they win universities will give them slack (see Pitino). That is why I along with UA fans are ecstatic about Miller, he plays by the book and seemed to adopt Lute's philosophy regarding recruiting kids who want to come here and play team basketball, offer kids schollies on a first come first serve basis.

 

[Russ Smith]

NCAA clears Wall, 2 game suspension(one is a exhibition) and repay about $800.

Renardo Sidney's lawyer finally turned over bank statements to the NCAA and he says he hopes that's all they need to clear Sidney. ESPN story says the NCAA will review and possibly make a decision shortly. I have to say again, if after all this the kid is cleared they were INCREDIBLY stupid to wait this long to turn that stuff over. The only thing I could guess is the lawyer wanted it to appear unlikely Sidney would be cleared so he looks like a genius getting him cleared at the end?

Until I hear otherwise I'm still expecting at best a suspension, if not outright denial for Sidney. But I seriously doubt the lawyer turned over anything that would prove they took money so it's hard to make an educated guess.

 

[overseascardfan]

NCAA clears Wall, 2 game suspension(one is a exhibition) and repay about $800.

Renardo Sidney's lawyer finally turned over bank statements to the NCAA and he says he hopes that's all they need to clear Sidney. ESPN story says the NCAA will review and possibly make a decision shortly. I have to say again, if after all this the kid is cleared they were INCREDIBLY stupid to wait this long to turn that stuff over. The only thing I could guess is the lawyer wanted it to appear unlikely Sidney would be cleared so he looks like a genius getting him cleared at the end?

Until I hear otherwise I'm still expecting at best a suspension, if not outright denial for Sidney. But I seriously doubt the lawyer turned over anything that would prove they took money so it's hard to make an educated guess.

Not surprised at Wall, he was gonna get in. Again, I figure Sidney and Stephenson will sneak in, their slimy attornies will get them in.