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Pitt freshman Wilson cleared by NCAA

Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon yells to his team during the first half of their second round NCAA tournament basketball game against Wichita State in Salt Lake City, Utah

Pittsburgh head coach Jamie Dixon yells to his team during the first half of their second round NCAA tournament basketball game against Wichita State in Salt Lake City, Utah, March 21, 2013. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

REUTERS

Damon Wilson has been been academically cleared by the NCAA, according to a report from ESPN.com, meaning that the incoming freshman will be allowed to suit up for Pitt this season.

That’s good news for the Panthers, as Wilson, a 6-foot-5 point guard from Georgia, is a top 100 recruit and the anchor of Jamie Dixon’s 2015 recruiting class. With some of the turnover that the Panthers have had in recent seasons, Wilson will have a shot to play an important role immediately, either backing up senior point guard James Robinson or playing alongside him in the back court.

So yeah, having Wilson available is significant ACC news. The reason that Wilson’s eligibility was in doubt is that he played his last two seasons of high school ball at Our Savior New American, a private school on Long Island that is currently under investigation by the NCAA.

Wilson’s teammates at OSNA?

Incoming St. John’s freshman Kassoum Yakwe and Kobie Eubanks, who was declared ineligible at Alabama.

The most relevant name, however, is Cheick Diallo, a top ten recruit that is headed to Kansas this season. Diallo isn’t the most skilled big man in the country -- he’s not Jahlil Okafor and he’s not Ben Simmons -- but he’s a 6-foot-8 athlete that loves to run the floor and has a motor that never stops. He attacks the glass, he works defensively, he’s tough. Put simply, he’s the guy that every Kansas fan wanted Cliff Alexander to be last season, and he’s a perfect fit on their front line alongside Perry Ellis.

He’s just not cleared yet.

Which is why this Wilson news is very relevant in Lawrence. If he can get through the NCAA’s Eligibility Center, than that is a good sign for Diallo.