Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE
The reports and uncertainty surrounding Ben Howland‘s heralded freshmen class have been ongoing for months now.
UCLA freshmen Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson are still awaiting NCAA rulings in regards to their eligibility status, but one report indicates that good news may come soon for the Bruins.
According to SNY.tv‘s Adam Zagoria, Anderson is expected to be cleared by the NCAA prior to the start of practice on Oct. 12. Zagoria credits a source with direct knowledge of the situation.
“The UCLA compliance office is confident that he will be cleared before practice starts Oct. 12,” the source told Zagoria on Thursday morning.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Anderson hails from New Jersey and found tremendous success at St. Anthony H.S. (NJ) prior to committing to UCLA. Anderson took part in the team’s overseas trip to China last month and starred at times for coach Howland.
In addition to fellow incoming freshmen Tony Parker and Jordan Adams, the Bruins’ class has high expectations of revitalizing the program and the status of Howland. The Bruins have struggled over the course of the past few years, but a solid mix of returning veterans and incoming stars is expected to change all that.
Anderson’s eligibility status is huge for the Bruins and while no word is official just yet, the report does indicate that good news could be on the horizon. As for Muhammad, the NCAA is continuing to investigate his ties to two financial advisers during his time at the high school level. Muhammad was ineligible for the team’s trip to China and there is no set timetable for any decision in his regard.
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