5-star freshman Cheick Diallo still needs NCAA clearance

Five-star freshman Cheick Diallo committed to Kansas back in April and though he has been accepted by the school’s admissions office and took summer classes, he is still waiting to hear from the NCAA as to whether or not he can play for the Jayhawks. Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reported the development.

Speaking to Dodd, head coach Bill Self did not seem optimistic about whether or not Diallo’s situation would be handled before the fall semester begins on August 24th.

“I don’t anticipate this being cleared up in the near future,” Self told The Star.

“He’s done everything that’s been asked of him to do,” Self said of Diallo. “He’s just waiting to be cleared.”

Per Dodd, the issue appears to be Diallo’s high school, Our Savior New American in Centereach, NY, out on Long Island. Diallo, a 6-foot-9, 225 pound power forward, moved to the U.S. from Mali to pursue a basketball career and enrolled in the high school, which has become known for taking on international students. Unfortunately, he is not the first player from the school to have issues with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Kobie Eubanks, who was committed to Baylor at one point, ended up attending prep school. Another former student, Michael Nzei, didn’t qualify at Seton Hall. Our Savior New American is currently under review by the NCAA.

No matter how you look at it, if Diallo is deemed ineligible and not cleared to play, it would be a considerable blow to Kansas’ hopes for the 2015-16 season despite having key players in Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden returning.

This story is still in something of the early stages, but Campus Sports will update it as any new information becomes available.

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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

VCU gives first look at new basketball uniforms
VCU gives first look at new basketball uniforms