Christmas came early for the Kansas Jayhawks and their stud freshman forward, Cheick Diallo. The NCAA announced earlier today Diallo is eligible to compete for the Jayhawks beginning Dec. 1.
Diallo’s coursework at the private New York high school Our Savior New American was called into question after the NCAA placed the school under review in 2012 — meaning his coursework at the school could potentially be annulled.
With the information the NCAA eligibility center possessed before the season, they ruled Diallo ineligible to compete. However, Kansas submitted new information to the NCAA on Nov. 20 that included an independent review of his studies. After reviewing the newly presented facts, the NCAA determined Diallo received only “a limited amount of extra benefits,” according to an ESPN report.
Diallo ultimately received a de facto five-game suspension from the NCAA — the four games the No. 5 Jayhawks have already played, as well as tonight’s game against No. 19 Vanderbilt in the Maui Invitational championship. He will make his season debut against Loyola (Maryland) at home next Tuesday.
Today’s ruling ends a long, public saga between Kansas and the NCAA. Athletic director Sheahon Zenger sent the NCAA a strongly-worded, six-page letter on Nov. 10, accusing the organization of mishandling the case. Head Coach Bill Self also let his feelings be known on a conference call with CBS Sports and ESPN last Saturday.
KU was very upset with the NCAA's cooperation in Diallo case, so it hired independent groups to review courses: pic.twitter.com/5Nz6VlSu6d
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) November 22, 2015
Here's more of Bill Self blasting the NCAA for its handling of the Cheick Diallo case. pic.twitter.com/KgIB37pSKz
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) November 22, 2015
Despite today’s positive news, Self still expressed his displeasure with the NCAA’s handling of this case and its ultimate ruling.
Bill Self openly disagrees with the deal cut by KU to clear Diallo, who is punished by NCAA for accepting "impermissible benefit". Pitiful.
— Joe Nocera (@opinion_joe) November 25, 2015
Originally born in Mali, Diallo came to the United States in 2012 in the midst of his freshman year, and enrolled in Our Savior New American. In his 3.5 seasons at the school, Diallo quickly became a top recruit, fielding offers from Arizona, Iowa State, Ohio State and Pittsburgh, among others.
The 6-9 forward is expected to make a huge impact upon the Jayhawks when he does return. Diallo was rated as the fifth-best player in the class of 2015 by Rivals, and is a top-10 player on some 2016 NBA Draft boards.
