NCAA Fuks Kentucky
NCAA rules Kentucky's Kanter permanently ineligible
Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The NCAA has ruled Kentucky freshman Enes Kanter permanently ineligible, it announced Thursday, for receiving unnecessary benefits while playing club basketball in Turkey.
The NCAA's release said Kentucky will appeal the decision to the Division I Reinstatement Committee at the end of the month. That will be the final opportunity to appeal the decision.
The 6-foot-11 Kanter was ruled ineligible for "receiving benefits above his actual and necessary expenses," according to the release. Actual and necessary expenses are generally defined as those directly necessary for practice and competition.
The NCAA said Kanter received $33,033 more than his expenses for the 2008-09 season, when he competed on the senior team for Turkish sport club Fenerbahce. Kanter had played for Fenerbahce since 2006-07, but primarily on the under-18 junior team.
"Enes took advantage of an opportunity to play at the highest level available to him, but the consequences of receiving payments above his actual expenses is not compatible with the collegiate model of sports that our members have developed," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs.
The NCAA allows prospective student-athletes to compete on teams with professionals as long as they maintain amateur status.
Kentucky's appeal will be considered by the reinstatement committee, which is independent and made up of representatives from NCAA-member colleges, universities and athletic conferences.
"We appreciate that the NCAA has an appeals process to allow this young man to defend the uniqueness of his circumstances," said Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart. "Enes is a great kid who is working hard in the classroom and enjoying being a college student. It is our hope that he will be allowed to continue his academic and athletic career at Kentucky."
Kanter, who moved to the United States in 2009 and attended Stoneridge Prep in California before enrolling at Kentucky, will still be allowed to practice while the appeal is pending. He will not be able to compete or travel with the team, however.
The Wildcats open the season Friday against East Tennessee State.
Indianapolis, IN (Sports Network) - The NCAA has ruled Kentucky freshman Enes Kanter permanently ineligible, it announced Thursday, for receiving unnecessary benefits while playing club basketball in Turkey.
The NCAA's release said Kentucky will appeal the decision to the Division I Reinstatement Committee at the end of the month. That will be the final opportunity to appeal the decision.
The 6-foot-11 Kanter was ruled ineligible for "receiving benefits above his actual and necessary expenses," according to the release. Actual and necessary expenses are generally defined as those directly necessary for practice and competition.
The NCAA said Kanter received $33,033 more than his expenses for the 2008-09 season, when he competed on the senior team for Turkish sport club Fenerbahce. Kanter had played for Fenerbahce since 2006-07, but primarily on the under-18 junior team.
"Enes took advantage of an opportunity to play at the highest level available to him, but the consequences of receiving payments above his actual expenses is not compatible with the collegiate model of sports that our members have developed," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs.
The NCAA allows prospective student-athletes to compete on teams with professionals as long as they maintain amateur status.
Kentucky's appeal will be considered by the reinstatement committee, which is independent and made up of representatives from NCAA-member colleges, universities and athletic conferences.
"We appreciate that the NCAA has an appeals process to allow this young man to defend the uniqueness of his circumstances," said Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart. "Enes is a great kid who is working hard in the classroom and enjoying being a college student. It is our hope that he will be allowed to continue his academic and athletic career at Kentucky."
Kanter, who moved to the United States in 2009 and attended Stoneridge Prep in California before enrolling at Kentucky, will still be allowed to practice while the appeal is pending. He will not be able to compete or travel with the team, however.
The Wildcats open the season Friday against East Tennessee State.