The NCAA is investigating whether Kentucky freshman John Wall violated rules for amateurs by playing for a coach who was a certified agent, according to an Associated Press report.
SEC commissioner Mike Slive informed ESPN.com that the amateur status of Wall and Mississippi State freshman Renardo Sidney are under review by NCAA investigators. Sidney’s status has been well reported this summer as the family tries to explain how, despite coming from modest means in Mississippi, it afforded a lavish lifestyle while Sidney played for a Los Angeles high school.
The questions about Wall’s status relate to his AAU coach, Brian Clifton, who was certified as an agent in 2007-08. According to NCAA rules, Wall would have received illegal benefits from an agent and must repay them if they total more than $101. In addition, Wall would face a suspension that equals at least 10 percent of Kentucky’s games — roughly a three-game suspension.
Wall is the jewel of new Kentucky coach John Calipari’s first recruiting class with the Wildcats. Wall figures to be the team’s starting point guard in a few weeks when the Wildcats play Morehead State. In addition to Wall, Calipari also can brag about bringing in five other elite prospects:
- PG Eric Bledsoe
- PF DeMarcus Cousins
- SF Darnell Dodson
- SG Jon Hood
- C Daniel Orton
