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Ohio State’s Trevor Thompson still has a chance to play this season, says Thad Matta

Marshall Plumlee, Trevor Thompson

Duke’s Marshall Plumlee, right, guards Virginia Tech’s Trevor Thompson (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. Duke won 66-48. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

AP

So maybe Virginia Tech transfer Trevor Thompson wasn’t ruled ineligible for this season?

The former Hokie transferred to Ohio State in April. He applied for a hardship waiver, citing his desire to be closer to his family, specifically his father who is undergoing neck surgery. On Saturday night, a tweet from the 6-foot-11 center left the impression that he would be ineligible and would have to redshirt this season.

Not being able to play this year is going to be tough but it just adds more fuel to my fire to becoming the best basketball player I can be.

— Trevor Thompson (@TrevBallinTrey2) August 3, 2014


On Monday, Ohio State head coach Thad Matta told Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com that the NCAA has not made a decision on the eligibility status of Thompson. The Buckeyes left for the Bahamas this week, where they will play to exhibition games. Thompson was not allowed to make the trip with the team.

Ohio State brings back seniors Amir Williams and Trey McDonald. The frontline is bolstered by the addition of Temple graduate transfer Anthony Lee, a 6-foot-9 forward who averaged 13.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Owls in the 2013-2014 season.

If Thompson were to be ruled ineligible, he will have three years remaining. Thompson averaged 5.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per game for the Virginia Tech.

Follow @terrence_payne