Until yesterday, most of us, or at least me, thought UK was still waiting on a ruling pertaining to Kanter’s, and the University of Kentucky’s request, to submit additional information.
Truth is, that wasn’t the case. Kentucky and Enes Kanter have now officially been denied the opportunity to play college basketball on four separate occasions.
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Here is the complete NCAA time line, after the NCAA’s first ruling:
– On Dec. 1, the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee heard the first appeal.
– On Dec. 2, the committee notified the NCAA reinstatement staff it had upheld its decision of permanent ineligibility. NCAA staff then notified the University of Kentucky. During the notification call, the university indicated it had new information and requested a reconsideration.
– On Dec. 8, the university forwarded its case based upon the new information to the NCAA reinstatement staff.
– On Dec. 10, the NCAA reinstatement staff upheld its initial ruling of permanent ineligibility.
– On Dec. 20, the university notified the NCAA it planned to appeal the second staff decision.
– On Jan. 6, the reinstatement committee heard the school’s appeal before rendering its decision.
– On Jan. 7, the University of Kentucky was notified that its appeal had been denied.
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As sad as Coach Calipari and the Big Blue Nation may be, it is Enes Kanter who will forever live with the decision of the NCAA.
His future is almost certainly secure, as he is projected to be drafted in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft, but his desire to play college basketball will forever be crushed behind the pen of a committee who couldn’t see past the all mighty dollar.
A famous College Basketball Coach once said that the Universities, who are currently members of the NCAA, should pull out and form their own Association.
Maybe he was right.
Go Cats!!!
