Josh Selby, Kansas' Star Freshman, Ruled Eligible After Nine-Game Suspension

Filed under: Kansas

Josh Selby, the highly touted Kansas freshman at the center of an eligibility probe, has been cleared by the NCAA to begin play following a nine-game suspension. He was also ordered to repay $5,757.58 to a charity of his choice, a matching amount to what the NCAA deemed impermissible benefits.

Selby, who sat out his third straight game Friday night, will be eligible to play Dec. 18 when the Jayhawks play USC.

"Even though I'm disappointed I have to miss nine games, I'm happy that I know when I can be on the court with my teammates," Selby said in a statement released by the school. "I'm looking forward to helping my team win another conference championship."

The NCAA's student-athlete reinstatement staff found that Selby and his family accepted impermissible benefits before he signed a letter of intent with the Jayhawks. The NCAA was investigating benefits given by Bay Frazier, the business manager for Carmelo Anthony. Selby's mother maintained that Frazier, who, like the Selbys, is from Baltimore, was merely a family friend who advised Josh during the recruitment process.

The benefits included meals, travel, lodging, meals and clothes, the school confirmed.

Kansas coach Bill Self characterized Selby as a victim of circumstance, but the NCAA stood by its ruling.

"Our members have made it clear that student-athletes who receive impermissible benefits must be held accountable," Kevin Lennon, vice president for academic and membership affairs said in a statement released by the NCAA.

The NCAA also investigated Selby's academic standing, but he was cleared academically in late October.

"This process had several moving parts, the first one being academics," Kansas Interim Athletics Director Sean Lester said. "Once that was addressed we and the NCAA moved to the eligibility aspect. We knew it would take time, and we appreciate our partnership with the NCAA and our constant communication during this process."

Kansas is 3-0 the season. The Jayhawks next play Texas A&M Corpus Christi Tuesday.

 

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Source: http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/11/19/josh-selby-ruled-eligible-after-nine-game-suspension/

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