Kentucky Moves Forward Without Morris: Kentucky received word last week that the Wildcats must play without Randolph Morris because the NCAA ruled him ineligible. But that does not necessarily mean that Morris’ career is done at Kentucky. School officials must now petition a different NCAA committee to issue a partial-season suspension rather than repealing his college eligibility. If the NCAA decides that Morris should be suspended for violating rules when he entered the NBA Draft, he could face a lengthy suspension. But it would be retroactive, so all the games that Morris has missed so far would count toward fulfilling a suspension. A 10-game suspension or so would be the best-case scenario because the Wildcats would get Morris back by the end of December.
The dispute involves Morris’ relationship with SFX, a sports agency. Although Morris did not sign a contract with the firm, the NCAA decided he had a verbal agreement, which violates the rules. Morris apparently worked out for NBA teams and did not pay for all of his expenses, and SFX issued press releases on his behalf. No NBA teams drafted Morris, and he tried to return to school afterward.
[12/03/05]
