Amid the hysteria of fallout from the NCAA’s investigation into academic fraud at North Carolina, news came out regarding NC State freshman guard Braxton Beverly.
The NCAA has ruled Beverly immediately ineligible for the 2017-18 season. NC State plans to appeal the decision.
The root of the problem
Braxton Beverly originally committed to Ohio State to play for coach Thad Matta. However, Matta was fired by the school in June after 13 seasons in Columbus. This happened after Beverly started taking classes early at Ohio State — in May.
In July, the school hired former Butler coach Chris Holtmann to replace Matta. Two weeks after that, Beverly committed to NC State.
Not long after that decision, though, word surfaced that Beverly may have to sit out this season, due to the NCAA’s byzantine transfer rules. Under NCAA rules, because Beverly started class at Ohio State, he counted as a transfer. This would require sitting out a year to then become eligible.
In mid-August, NC State filed a waiver on behalf of Beverly — trying to gain immediate eligibility for the former 3-star recruit.
Keatts and NC State will file a waiver for Braxton Beverly. You’d think the NCAA will clear Beverly — after Ohio State fired Matta in June.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) August 18, 2017
Now, with the season starting in less than a month, Beverly is currently ineligible.
From the source
ABC11 sports anchor Mark Armstrong communicated via text with Braxton Beverly and Kevin Keatts on Friday afternoon. As you could imagine, Beverly is disappointed.
Really great job here, NCAA. Grab a steak lunch pic.twitter.com/TrZqO4Plks
— Mark Armstrong (@MarkPArmstrong) October 13, 2017
As started above, NC State can appeal the decision; Keatts explained that this is exactly what the program plans to pursue.
Keatts on Braxton Beverly decision: pic.twitter.com/KsI71a3qvH
— Mark Armstrong (@MarkPArmstrong) October 13, 2017
Rules may be rules, but all together, this is a bad look for the NCAA.
Worst case scenario
Beverly will, however, still have four years of eligibility left at NC State — beyond the 2017-18 season. That is likely not a silver lining Beverly and those associated with the program desired. Unfortunately, that’s the NCAA for you, though.