Shabazz Muhammad ineligible: Family responds to NCAA's decision

Shabazz Muhammad's family has released a statement on the situation regarding the eligibility of the UCLA Bruins forward. Baxter Holmes of the Los Angeles Times filed this report that included the family statement.

"Shabazz’s family is very distressed by the NCAA’s recent decision and the manner in which it was announced. Shabazz and his family have been cooperating with the NCAA for well over a year. Earlier this year, the NCAA asked Shabazz and his family not to reveal to each other or to the press facts related to the NCAA investigation. Despite the many untrue rumors which were circulating on the Internet, Shabazz and his family dutifully did what they were told. In order to entice Shabazz’s family and others to cooperate, the NCAA repeatedly gave assurances that it would keep details of the investigation strictly confidential. As recently as November 2012, the NCAA promised that it would not issue a Press Release.

The NCAA ruled the highly-touted UCLA freshman ineligible for several recruiting violations. Muhammad took unofficial trips to Duke and North Carolina and apparently accepted travel and lodging from a family advisor in Benjamin Lincoln. Lincoln is the brother of an assistant coach on the Bishop Gorman high coaching staff, which is the school which Muhammad attended in Las Vegas. The NCAA has determined that the benefits that Muhammad received weren't permissible.

UCLA has yet to appeal the decision to declare the Muhammad eligibility decision as they wait for more information to leak on the Muhammad situation. Athletic Director Dan Guerrero has stated an appeal will occur. Muhammad will have to sit out at least ten games before he can be cleared to compete for the Bruins.

This story originally appeared on SBNation.com.