Shabazz Muhammad Officially Reinstated By The NCAA

Star Freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad, the crown jewel of Ben Howland's #1 ranked recruiting class, has been cleared to play, effective immediately:

The NCAA v. Shabazz Muhammad: Where We Stand

The next step in Abigail Grantstein and the NCAA's prosecution of Shabazz Muhammmad comes later today. Will the NCAA take this case out of the shadows and present whatever evidence it holds?

Abigail Grantstein: Continued Questions Involving NCCA Investigator of UCLA Freshman Shabazz Muhammad

Additional questions have been raised involving the NCAA Investigator, Abigail Grantstein, who is reportedly the lead investigator involved in the NCAA's investigation of UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad. Has Bruins Nation discovered the identity of Abigail Grantstein's boyfriend?

BOMBSHELL Report: NCAA's Lead Investigator Prejudged UCLA's Shabazz Muhammad

Blockbuster report comes out from the LA Times indicating that NCAA’s lead investigator may have prejudged UCLA’s prize recruit Shabazz Muhammad, thus corrupting the process.

UCLA Appealing NCAA’s “Eligibility” Decision on Shabazz Muhammad, Muhammad's Attorney Releases Another "Statement"

The tiring circus freakshow around UCLA's one-and-done mercenary recruit Shabazz Muhammad took another turn today as a new report came out indicating that UCLA is filing an appeal with the NCAA before it reaches a formal decision regarding the scope of penalty on Shabazz. From the LA Times:

UCLA is expected to file a formal appeal with the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon regarding its decision to declare freshman basketball player Shabazz Muhammad ineligible due to a violation of amateurism rules, people close to the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly told The Times.

UCLA's case is expected to be heard before the NCAA appeals committee this Friday, the people said.

If the committee sides with UCLA, Muhammad would likely become eligible immediately.

But if the committee ruled that a violation did occur, the appeal would be denied and Muhammad would have to go through the reinstatement process to regain his eligibility.

Both the appeals and reinstatement processes would be expedited, a person familiar with the situation said, "because the season is now underway," meaning a decision could be reached as early as Friday.

From our understanding this was a two step process:

• Step 1: Ruling on eligibility: NCAA ruled Shabazz ineligible on facts, i.e. guilty
• Step 2: Ruling on penalty: This is where NCAA is going to determine the scope of the penalty as to how many games Shabazz will miss this season. He has already missed 2 games to date. Speculation is that he may be suspended for 10 games, but that was before Shabazz's entourage publicly and somewhat foolishly blasted the NCAA.

So it appears that UCLA is appealing the eligibility verdict itself. We thought UCLA would wait for sentencing. But perhaps this is a pro-active move (OMG!) on the part of Dan Guerrero. However, if there was an option to appeal the eligibility decision all along why the heck did Guerrero wait so long?

If the report is right we could know how this fiasco resolves by this Friday. Either way, UCLA basketball is such a heap of mess under Ben Howland right now is that it's unclear whether one-and-done mercenary recruit will solve deeper problems rooted in lack of identity, basic defensive foundation in Howland's sick program.

BTW I mentioned Shabazz's entourage above. It looks like his attorney has released another statement to the press. Yes, that is going to be very helpful to the cause (groan). As I said above, this is a total freakshow circus from all angles.

Shabazz or Shabazz ... no room for excuses for Ben (and Chianti) in what else ... the #NoExcuseTour.

GO BRUINS.

Shabazz's Family Publicly (and questionably) Blasts NCAA

The family of Bruins freshman Shabazz Muhammad issues a public statement which seems to contradict the recent NCAA report on its investigation.

Shabazz to Miss 10 Games?

The LA Times' Baxter Holmes suggests that the suspected nature of the violation the NCAA has used to rule Shabazz Muhammad ineligible will be enough for a 10 game ban, or roughly 30% of our schedule:

According to NCAA guidelines, UCLA freshman swingman Shabazz Muhammad could miss about 10 games for the Bruins before he is reinstated.

That figure is based on the NCAA’s reinstatement guidelines for preferential treatment violations that occurred before an athlete enrolled in a college and information about the violation the NCAA cited when it declared Muhammad ineligible Friday for violations of amateurism rules.

Baxter also suggests that the official ruling on the number of games Muhammad will be able to play, if any, could be announced as early as next week.

A reference, from the article, on the NCAA guideline for punishment on the likely infraction:

4. Value of benefit is greater than $1,000 = withholding of 30% of eligibility for one season of competition and repayment.

Flea Leads the Free Shabazz Effort

Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea performed the national anthem on his bass to open the new Pauley. But more important then his music was his fashion statement:

Flea walked onto the court at Pauley Pavilion on Friday night to sing the national anthem clad in a baby blue shirt with the words "Free Shabazz Muhammad" written on it in black marker. The shirt, of course, was in reference to the NCAA's decision to declare the highly touted UCLA freshman indefinitely ineligible earlier in the evening as a result of extra benefits he accepted during his recruitment.

Give Flea credit for being in touch with the mood of the UCLA fan base because he wasn't the only one to express such a sentiment.

Flea the musician along with his band mates were famous for only wearing a strategically place sock on stage, made the best fashion statement of his careers. Thanks Flea, we agree.

Not Eligible: Full NCAA Statement on Shabazz Muhammad

Thank you for expediency in this matter.

Shabazz Muhammad Declared Ineligible by the NCAA

Great timing, NCAA

NCAA FINALLY to Talk to Shabazz's Parents

According to LA Times:

A timeline for Muhammad's case is unknown, but NCAA investigators were scheduled to interview Muhammad's parents - Ron Holmes and Faye Muhammad - late this week, according to people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Well it has only been 8 months so it is about time they get around to talking to the key person (Shabazz's Dad) in this whole thing. Hopefully this is the beginning of a conclusion.

Kyle was COMPLETELY Cleared, NO EVIDENCE

The statement from UCLA reads as below, emphasis added (hat tip to Bruin Report Online who broke this):

"UCLA was informed by the NCAA earlier today that freshman guard Kyle Anderson is eligible to play this season, and that the NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate claims of violations in his case. I am grateful to all those who were involved in the process. We are looking forward to opening our season on November 9 against Indiana State at New Pauley Pavilion."

Who was out to get UCLA? And why if there was no evidence did it take so long?

Welcome Kyle!

CONFIRMED per ESPN: Anderson Has Been Cleared

There have been a few reports coming out this morning claiming that the NCAA has finally cleared Kyle Anderson to compete for the Bruins. Now ESPN, via Andy Katz, is confirming that Kyle'e eligibility has officially been cleared, allowing him to play starting with the season opener/reopening of Pauley on November 9th.

From earlier today @bruinreport and confirmed later as well from sources, Kyle Anderson being cleared first huge step for Bruins.

— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) October 31, 2012

That is one player down, and one more for the NCAA to make a decision on, with 10 days until the season opener.

[UPDATED] FINALLY After 100 Years: NCAA "Reportedly" Clears Kyle Anderson

NCAA has cleared Kyle Anderson. CBS Sportslined fired up this tweet just a little while ago:

Some scuttlebutt out that #UCLA Kyle Anderson has been cleared by NCAA. Not that it took a long time...but Hundred Year's War was shorter.

— CBSSportsPac-12 (@CBSSportsPac12) October 31, 2012

And then Jordan Adams, another member of UCLA's star studded freshman class confirmed it:

They finally FREE'D my bro @kyleanderson5 from the NCAA ayyy lol

— Jordan Adams (@jordanadams1231) October 31, 2012

This is good news for Ben Howland, who will need everyone to save his job by winning the Pac-12 and make a run to the Final-4 this season.

GO BRUINS.

UPDATE (N): Hmm:

Kyle Anderson Sr. Says he hasn't heard directly from the NCAA that Kyle Jr. Is cleared but has heard from reporters

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 31, 2012

That's a little odd considering this report from the LA Times. Stay tuned I guess.

The Daily Bruin Criticizes the NCAA's Slow Look at Kyle and Shabazz's Eligibility

The Daily Bruin publishes a welcome - but slightly off base - editorial criticizing the slow pace of the NCAA's investigation into the eligibility of Kyle Anderson and Shabazz Muhammad.

UCLA Basketball: Ben & Chianti Dan Have Only Themselves to Blame on Shabazz Muhammad

Chianti Dan and Ben have no Excuses this year. They knew that the NCAA would be investigating Shabazz Muhammad. Ben staked his career on it, and Chianti Dan brought Ben back knowing the risks.

ESPN Compares Shabazz to Kentucky Professionals

I almost wish Shabazz went to Kentucky or better yet Duke, his runner up schools. Duke is at least part of the problem because of the illegal trip there. It would be nice to see them sweating this now along with jewelry gate.

But I can help but wondering if the NCAA (if it was Duke) or media (if it was Kentucky) would treat this differently if it were not UCLA. An example of the latter is here:

The curious case of Shabazz Muhammad took another turn Thursday when UCLA announced that the freshman forward would be out for two to four weeks due to a right-shoulder strain. Muhammad still hasn't been cleared to compete in games while the NCAA investigates unofficial visits and any possible extra benefits prior to his enrolling at UCLA. He is in the midst of a 45-day practice period while his case is being investigated. There's no way to tell whether this is going to be an Enes Kanter-like decision (ineligible for the season at Kentucky after a slow investigation). . .

Enes Katner was a paid Turkish player recruited by Kentucky. He was a foreign professional. No one has even mentioned a rumor such as this regarding Shabazz.

Enes Kanter will remain "permanently ineligible" in the eyes of the NCAA. The Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee Friday announced that it upheld the NCAA's earlier decision permanently prohibiting Kanter from playing for Kentucky.

NCAA investigators earlier found that Kanter received $33,033 above his "actual and necessary" expenses from his club team in his native Turkey.

"While unfortunate for Enes and the University of Kentucky, 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," Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs said in a statement.

Kentucky coach John Calipari expressed disappointment in the NCAA's final decision and criticized what he called a "smear campaign" conducted by the Turkish club team Fenerbahce

Obviously ESPN has a show on Kentucky so everything has to be compared to Kentucky but this is ridiculous. Shabazz may face a penalty but so far there is no allegation he was paid to play like Enes.

Update on Shabazz and Kyle in UCLA Basketball

There is some news but still no timeline for the eligibility of Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson

UCLA Basketball Eligibility and Legacy Edition

The latest news on the eligibility of UCLA and Why UCLA is always an important name in college basketball

No one Understands the NCAA Process

The latest news is no news on the investigation of Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson. But the twist is no one has a clue when there will be news. Confused, well according to the LA Times so are the families and UCLA Athletic Department:

Wharton says UCLA doesn't understand why this investigatory is taking so long. None of the principal have been given any indication as to when the investigation will end.

Whaton is a LA Times reporter. You would think UCLA AD Dan Guerrero would be able to use some of his NCAA connections from his time as chairman of the Selection Committee for the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament to at least get a timeline.

Practice has begun in earnest and without Tyler Lamb, UCLA is down to just 9 scholarship players. If we lose Shabazz and Kyle, we could start with just seven and no backcourt depth. It would be nice to give the team a chance to practice for whatever is going to happen.

The situation with Kyle is particularly bad. At least the NCAA warned UCLA and others about Shabazz. What is going on with Kyle that is taking so long?

I guess we will have to wait but I hope not too much longer.

Go Bruins.

UPDATE: In the interview video that goes with the quote, the LA Times says that there is no evidence that UCLA did anything wrong. I would feel better if the NCAA said that.

Details on the NCAA Investigation Into UCLA Basketball Player Kyle Anderson

Kyle Anderson Sr. has a long term relationship with an agent associated with a famous UCLA booster

UCLA Basketball Player Kyle Anderson is Expected to Be Cleared

Reports surfacing that Kyle Anderson may be cleared by the NCAA.

[UPDATE x3] Dan Guerrero's UCLA Basketball Program Under Wide NCAA Investigation

UCLA Kyle Anderson and Tony Parker are under investigation.

Getting to the Bottom of the UCLA Basketball and Shabazz Situation

Shabazz Not Going to China with UCLA Basketball, is Howland Cursed?

UCLA is going to be without Shabazz Muhammad in China and has yet to have the whole 2012-13 play together.

With Shabazz Muhammad Potentially Ineligible, Ben Howland And UCLA's Magic Pill Is Flushed