This has to be the lamest excuse for an NCAA suspension in history. Before entering American high school he played for a short period with a professional team in Europe but received no compensation for it. As a tennager in Belarus is there any chance that he had any idea that this rule existed?! Comm'on!
Freshman ruled ineligible for 10 games
Georgetown University Men's Basketball Coach John Thompson III announced today the Nikita Mescheriakov has been ruled ineligible for the 1st 10 games of the season. "Prior to coming to this country," Coach Thompson said, "Nikita briefly participated with a professional team in Europe. He was not compensated but the NCAA has ruled that he will have to sit out the first ten games of the season." The 6-8, 205 lb forward from Minsk, Belarus will be able to practice with the team but cannot play before the Fordham game at the Verizon center on December 31.
http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110707aac.html
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This is a huge disappointment and a stupid application of this rule. Prior to this news, Nikita was my darkhorse pick this year for the title of "Hoya most likely to surprise you" (for stellar play) and I thought he could provide invaluable minutes off the bench. His basketbally IQ seems sky high.
Now I worry he may have trouble cracking the rotation. Granted he will be back before the BE regular season, but he is not going to have the benefit of non-league play to hone his game. Plus there will undoubtedly be some rust when he returns.
This sucks.
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