Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Report: UCLA freshman Kyle Anderson likely to be cleared by the NCAA

Kyle Anderson, Isaiah Austin

East’s Kyle Anderson (5), from North Bergen, N.J., passes around West’s Isaiah Austin (33), from Arlington, Texas, during the first half of the McDonald’s All-American boys’ basketball game Wednesday, March 28, 2012, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

AP

UCLA could receive some good news in the very near future, as freshman forward Kyle Anderson is likely to be cleared according to Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv.

The NCAA has been looking into the recruitment of Anderson for nearly a month, a situation that essentially began with an investigation into fellow UCLA freshman Shabazz Muhammad.

But while Muhammad’s case remains up in the air, according to Zagoria’s source it seems likely that the versatile Anderson is close to being cleared.

“The UCLA compliance office is confident that he will be cleared before practice starts Oct. 12,” the source said.

This is big news for the Bruins, but it’s important to note that NCAA investigations can be a bit of a fluid situation. If something were to change this can always be revisited.

In Anderson UCLA has a player who is more than capable of initiating things offensively for a team expected to contend in the Pac-12.

With some being concerned about North Carolina transfer Larry Drew II at the point, having Anderson on the floor would give UCLA an additional ball-handler to make things go.

Whether or not Ben Howland’s team actually plays faster remains to be seen (they did in China, but to be fair that was against inferior competition), but Anderson’s skills should help in that regard.

And the possible defensive concerns regarding Anderson? Keep in mind that both Tyler Lamb and Norman Powell are capable perimeter defenders, so it’s unlikely that Howland would have Anderson guard a jet-quick point guard for long stretches.

Luckily for UCLA Anderson was able to make the trip to China, giving him some valuable game action before the investigation began, and with this happening in September rust shouldn’t be a concern.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.