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Mississippi State freshman loses NCAA appeal

Ben Howland

Ben Howland

AP

Mississippi State freshman Abdul Ado will be ineligible to play this season after his appeal was denied by the NCAA, the school announced Tuesday.

“It’s disappointing for Abdul,” Bulldogs coach Ben Howland said, according to the Clarion-Ledger. “It’s disappointing for our team and our players.”

The 6-foot-11 center from Nigeria will be allowed to practice with Mississippi State at the end of the first semester if he completed nine credits. He won’t, however, be eligible to compete until the 2017-18 season, when he’ll have four years of eligibility remaining.

“There are good things ahead for Abdul and this program,” Howland said. “I’m excited about that. I’m disappointed it’s not going to be this year.”

Ado was a consensus top-150 player in the 2016 class.

Mississippi State opened the season with a 78-74 win over Norfolk State last week. The Bulldogs will participate in the Charleston Classic this week, starting with a matchup Thursday against Central Florida.