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Five-star freshman still waiting to be cleared by NCAA to play at Kansas

Cheick Diallo

AP

AP

One of Kansas’ two incoming five-star forwards is still waiting to be cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Cheick Diallo, rated the fifth-best player in the Class of 2015 by Rivals, committed to KU back in late April, but is still awaiting word from the NCAA, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star reported on Tuesday night.

“I don’t anticipate this being cleared up in the near future,” Self told Dodd.

Diallo isn’t the only player that has had issues with the NCAA coming out of Our Savior New American. Pitt commit Damon Wilson is still waiting to get through the NCAA’s Eligibility Center, and in the Class of 2014, Michael Nzei didn’t qualify at Seton Hall while Kobie Eubanks ended up at prep school instead of at Baylor. Kassoum Yakwe, a member of the Class of 2016 that is considering reclassifying to 2015, is also a product of Our Savior New American. The school is currently under NCAA review.

Diallo picked Kansas over Iowa State and St. John’s. He capped his high school career by winning MVP honors at both the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. While not as skilled on the offensive end as Perry Ellis or fellow freshman forward Carlton Bragg, the 6-foot-9 Diallo brings an abundance of energy every time he takes the floor: attacking the glass, running the floor and finishing with authority at the rim.

According to Dodd, Diallo was accepted by Kansas’ admission office and had enrolled in summer courses. The fall semester begins on Aug. 24.

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