Enes Kanter ruled permanently ineligible

[elcheato]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=5793192

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The NCAA ruled Kentucky freshman center Enes Kanter permanently ineligible to play for the Wildcats, though the school will appeal the decision.

The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff decided the 6-foot-11 Kanter received benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club basketball team in Turkey. The NCAA defines actual and necessary expenses as those directly necessary for practice and competition on a team.

The NCAA ruled Kanter received over $33,000 above his necessary expenses for the 2008-09 season.

"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.

Kentucky coach John Calipari had no immediate comment, but has stated repeatedly he believed Kanter maintained his amateur status. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said the school will appeal because of the "uniqueness" surrounding Kanter's situation.

"It is our hope that he will be allowed to continue his academic and athletic career at Kentucky," Barnhart said.

NCAA student-athlete reinstatement guidelines allow Kanter to resume practicing but not compete or travel with the team while the appeal is pending.

Kanter spent last season at Stoneridge Prepatory School in Simi Valley, Calif., before signing with Kentucky, where he was expected to fill a major hole in the middle left by DeMarcus Cousins' departure for the NBA. Now that job will fall to senior Josh Harrelson, junior college transfer Eloy Vargas and freshman forward Terrence Jones.

The Wildcats (No. 10 ESPN/USA Today, No. 11 AP) open the season on Friday against East Tennessee State.

Kanter had become a minor celebrity on campus without so much as taking a shot. He was introduced along with the rest of the team during Big Blue Madness, walking through clouds of smoke and donning a black hat like professional wrestler "The Undertaker."

Fans took up a "Free Enes" movement that included T-shirts and signs posted everywhere from Fenway Park to the U.S. Capitol.

 

[The Young One]

About time the ncaa did this. Right call by the NCAA, it was well known dude was a pro back in turkey.

Now let's clear Selby.

 

[$tunna]

Ahh sucks that he won't get a chance to play. Well, can't argue with the fact he did get paid over seas so it's all good. Just gives UGA a better shot at winning the SEC lol

 

[DJT]

He should just go back to Turkey. Play a bit there, then go into the draft.

 

[DJT]

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky's pursuit of an NCAA title won't include freshman center Enes Kanter.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee upheld Friday an earlier NCAA decision that deemed Kanter permanently ineligible for receiving more than $33,000 in impermissible benefits while playing for the Turkish club team Fenerbahce two years ago.

The ruling means Kanter will not be able to play, practice or travel with the team but will be able to receive financial aid should he choose to remain at the school.

"We are obviously disappointed in this decision and find it unfortunate that a group of adults would come to such a decision regarding the future of an 18-year-old young man," coach John Calipari said.

Calipari has maintained from the beginning that Kanter is an amateur in his eyes. He says his job now is to prepare the Kanter for the NBA draft. The 6-foot-11 center is projected as a top-10 draft pick.

"Enes will always be a part of our family and I plan to be by his side in the green room whenever he is drafted," Calipari said.

The decision ends a long saga that included two different attempts by the university to clear Kanter. The NCAA initially ruled Kanter ineligible on Nov. 11 by the NCAA reinstatement staff. The reinstatement committee upheld that decision on Dec. 2, but the school was granted permission to have the case reconsidered because of new information on Dec. 8.

The new action ended with a similar result. The reinstatement staff ruled against Kanter again on Dec. 10, and the appeal was heard by the reinstatement committee on Thursday.

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AP Photo/Rick Bowmer
The NCAA ruled Enes Kanter, who played for a professional team in Turkey, can't play for Kentucky.
Both the school and the NCAA agreed that Kanter received $33,033 in 2008-09 while playing for Fenerbahce's club team. Calipari said about $20,000 of that money went toward Kanter's educational expenses, but the NCAA bylaws consider a player who receives money above necessary expenses a professional.

"The final decision of the reinstatement committee is completely compatible with the collegiate model of sports our members have developed, since he received a significant amount of money, above his actual expenses, from a professional team prior to coming to college," said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs.

Kanter has become a cult figure during his time on campus. He was introduced to a rousing ovation during Big Blue Madness in October, walking across a smoke-filled stage while ominous music played over the speakers.

Fans have taken up a "Free Enes" movement that included T-shirts and photos of fans holding "Free Enes" banners everywhere from Rupp Arena to the U.S. Capitol.

Kanter has been allowed to practice with the team during the review process and was dressed Friday as the 10th-ranked Wildcats prepared for their Southeastern Conference opener against Georgia.

University spokesman DeWayne Peevy said it's likely Kanter will be able remain involved in the program in some capacity so long as he stays in school.

Calipari had hired Wayne Turner in September, adding the former star guard to his staff while he completes his undergraduate degree. NCAA rules allow former players who have re-enrolled in school to be used as on-court staffers.

Kanter's family could take the NCAA to court to file an injunction. Calipari said Friday "whatever they choose to do as a family, we'll support."

The NCAA upheld the ruling that Kanter is permanently ineligible. I don't see why he doesn't try to go back over seas and play some ball before getting drafted.