Kentucky’s Kanter case could have new life

The odds are still small, but in light of what happened with Cam Newton, Kentucky sees an opening.

The university is dropping its appeal of the NCAA’s ruling, which came three and a half weeks ago, that Kanter is ineligible to play college basketball, instead bringing in a new attack. The university and the NCAA filed a joint press release, which doesn’t happen all that often. Silver lining in that, perhaps?

Here’s part of the release:

“When a school receives new information that could impact a student-athlete’s eligibility, it is a standard NCAA process to provide the university with an opportunity to resubmit the case for consideration. Because an NCAA appellate body, such as the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, cannot hear new information on appeal, this reconsideration must first be made by the NCAA reinstatement staff. The university would then have an opportunity to appeal the staff decision to the committee. This opportunity is available to ensure a fair and thorough consideration of eligibility matters for the student-athlete. The NCAA and University of Kentucky will not have any further comment regarding the specifics of this case until the process has concluded.”

Andy Katz has a source that’s telling him we’ll get a response to this secondary request within the next seven days. Most believe it’s still going to be a no. Why? Because it’s rare the NCAA turns around on these kinds of calls. Kentucky claims it has new and improved info to help its case, but that’s not to be shared with the public just yet. Question. How did the new information get found? Was someone searching through file-cabinet folders in the dead of night, flashlight in hand? That’s what I’m going with.

A critical fact in this: Kanter’s situation doesn’t parallel Newton’s. But Kentucky’s desperate, and there is good, logical arguments out there as to why Kanter deserves to play.

The NCAA hasn’t budged so far, though. This issue has been on life support for a month now, and the doctors aren’t ready to put down the defibrillator.

Although it was hardly a king’s salary, Kanter’s approximate 33K  in extra, non-living-expense earnings with his Turkish team, Fenerbahce, from 2006 to 2009 was too much for the NCAA to ignore. What newly founded facts could be powerful and persuasive enough to cause the NCAA to about face?

Matt Norlander 

collegehoopsjournal.com

Kentucky asks NCAA to look at new information in Enes Kanter ruling

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky has requested an opportunity to submit new information to the NCAA regarding the eligibility of basketball player Enes Kanter

The NCAA ruled Kanter permanently ineligible to play for the Wildcats after determining that he accepted $33,033 in benefits exceeding his expenses in 2008-09 while playing for Fenerbahce, a pro club in his native Turkey. UK appealed that ruling.

NCAA rules prohibit UK from introducing new information during the appeal to the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee, but according to a joint UK/NCAA statement released today, “When a school receives new information that could impact a student-athlete’s eligibility, it is a standard NCAA process to provide the university with an opportunity to resubmit the case for consideration.”

According to the statement, “Because an NCAA appellate body, such as the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, cannot hear new information on appeal, this reconsideration must first be made by the NCAA reinstatement staff.”

The university then would be permitted to appeal the staff decision to the committee, according to the statement.

According to the statement, “This opportunity is available to ensure a fair and thorough consideration of eligibility matters for the student-athlete. The NCAA and University of Kentucky will not have any further comment regarding the specifics of this case until the process has concluded.”

BRETT DAWSON

courier-journal.com

UK says it has new information on Kanter’s eligibility

The University of Kentucky just issued a statement saying it had new information it wanted to submit in regard to the eligibility of Enes Kanter.

UK had been expected this week to appeal an earlier NCAA ruling that declared Kanter permanently ineligible because he played three seasons for a professional team in his native Turkey.

It was unclear whether that hearing took place. But according to NCAA rules, new information cannot be part of the appeals process.

UK apparently will ask or has asked to resubmit its request to have Kanter declared eligible.

Here's the UK statement:

“The University of Kentucky has requested an opportunity to submit additional information regarding the eligibility of men’s basketball student-athlete Enes Kanter. When a school receives new information that could impact a student-athlete’s eligibility, it is a standard NCAA process to provide the university with an opportunity to resubmit the case for consideration.

"Because an NCAA appellate body, such as the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, cannot hear new information on appeal, this reconsideration must first be made by the NCAA reinstatement staff. The university would then have an opportunity to appeal the staff decision to the committee. This opportunity is available to ensure a fair and thorough consideration of eligibility matters for the student-athlete.

"The NCAA and University of Kentucky will not have any further comment regarding the specifics of this case until the process has concluded.”

Jerry Tipton

kentuckysports.com

UK says it has new info for Kanter appeal case

The case currently sits in appeal by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, an appellate body that, by nature, cannot hear new information. The NCAA's reinstatement staff must first reconsider the additional information.

"This opportunity is available to ensure a fair and thorough consideration of eligibility matters for the student-athlete," the release said. "The NCAA and University of Kentucky will not have any further comment regarding the specifics of this case until the process has concluded."

The University of Kentucky has requested to submit additional information to the NCAA regarding Enes Kanter's eligibility, a joint release from UK and the NCAA said Friday afternoon.

The release said it is a "standard NCAA process" to provide a university the opportunity to resubmit a case if new or additional information becomes available.


Kanter was ruled permanently ineligible on Nov. 11 for receiving benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club team in his native Turkey. According to facts agreed to at that point by UK and the NCAA Eligibility Center, Kanter received $33,033 more than his expenses from the Turkish club team Fenerbahce for the 2008-09 season.

UK spokesman DeWayne Peevy confirmed Friday afternoon that Kanter can still practice with the team while the NCAA reconsiders the additional information. He is still prohibited from traveling with the team.

Below is the entire text of the joint release:

"The University of Kentucky has requested an opportunity to submit additional information regarding the eligibility of men's basketball student-athlete Enes Kanter. When a school receives new information that could impact a student-athlete's eligibility, it is a standard NCAA process to provide the university with an opportunity to resubmit the case for consideration.

"Because an NCAA appellate body, such as the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, cannot hear new information on appeal, this reconsideration must first be made by the NCAA reinstatement staff.? The university would then have an opportunity to appeal the staff decision to the committee. This opportunity is available to ensure a fair and thorough consideration of eligibility matters for the student-athlete.

"The NCAA and University of Kentucky will not have any further comment regarding the specifics of this case until the process has concluded."


James Pennington
CatsPause.com

Decision on Kanter's appeal expected any time

Anxious. Eager to know. Believing he could make a big difference.
Kentucky players are no different than their fans when it comes to the long-awaited decision on whether the NCAA will "free" Enes Kanter.
The definite and final decision on Kanter's disputed eligibility is expected at any time.
"I think we're all getting pretty anxious," wing Darius Miller said Thursday. "He's a great player and he'd be a huge help and asset to the team. We're all waiting like everybody else."
Earlier this fall, the NCAA declared Kanter permanently ineligible because during the last of the three seasons he played for a professional team in his native Turkey, he received $33,033 in excess of the permitted "actual and necessary" expenses. UK and the NCAA have agreed on that.
UK's appeal of that ruling was expected to take place this week. NCAA procedures suggest a decision would be made the same day as the appeal hearing, but could take a day or two to announce.
"Really, I don't have a clue when we'll find out," Miller said Thursday. "Hopefully, we do find out today."
Assistant coach John Robic, who again substituted for head coach John Calipari in a media session, said the program had no idea when a decision would be announced.
What is not in dispute is that Kentucky would welcome Kanter to the team.
"If he plays Saturday (at North Carolina), I don't know, that'd be crazy," freshman guard Doron Lamb said. "I know Kentucky would be happy."
Lamb acknowledged that he thinks about Kanter joining the team.
"I don't really sleep on it," he said. "But I think about it sometimes. ... We just have to wait and see."


Talk is not cheap
UK coaches have emphasized the need for players to communicate. Robic said that figures to be even more important on the road at North Carolina.
"I thought we got better at it the last game both offensively and defensively," he said. "And that is important. ... You have to relay calls to one another. You are not going to be able to hear all the time. So you have to rely on each other and trust everyone."
Before the Boston University game, Brandon Knight was noticeably more chatty as the Cats warmed up. The coaches also want Lamb to speak up more.
"He's trying to talk more," Robic said of Lamb. "We're on him. His teammates are on him because that's something that will just elevate everybody's game and make us a better team."
Lamb said his previous coaches did not ask him to talk more.
"I didn't really say a word," he said. "I might say, 'I got your help.' But I really wasn't saying anything."

Jerry Tipton
kentucky.com

Commonwealth holding breath during "Enes Watch"

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has officially moved to 'Enes Watch' this week and no one is immune, not even those closest to the situation.

Will Enes Kanter win his appeal and have the NCAA's original decision of him being permanently ineligible to play college basketball overturned or see his amateur career end before it ever really began? Not even his teammates know what to think at this point.

"I think we have all been pretty anxious because he's a great player and would be a huge asset to the team," junior guard Darius Miller said. "We're all just waiting like everyone else. I don't have a clue when we're supposed to find out. Hopefully we'll find out today but we all just have our fingers crossed."

Reports began to surface Wednesday evening that Kentucky's appeal on Kanter's behalf took place earlier that day, a timeline that matched the school's release last week that it was expected to happen the first week of December. Speculation has run rampant that a decision from the appeals committee could come as soon as 24 hours after it concluded or drag out for several days.

There were no outward indications during Thursday's previously scheduled media opportunity to discuss this weekend's North Carolina that UK has heard anything on the appeal. Assistant coach John Robic filled in for coach John Calipari and said they are still in the dark.

"I don't know anything about the case or the hearing," Robic said. "It's really been out of our hands so I really can't answer that question. (I'm waiting) just like everyone else around here."

The 6-foot-11 freshman from Turkey was ruled permanently ineligible on Nov. 11 after the NCAA and UK agreed on facts stating Kanter and his family received $33,000 more than what was considered necessary expenses while playing for the Turkish club Fenerbahce. Although the process has been a tedious one, Kanter's teammates have repeatedly said he has held up well during the ordeal.

"He has (held up well) through the whole process," Miller said. "We haven't known a whole lot that's gone on with it, but we just try to be there for him and help support him."

Matt May is the basketball beat reporter for The Cats' Pause. If you have questions or comments about the Cats e-mail him here. You can also follow "@TCPMAY" on Twitter for live updates.

Matt May

CatsPause.com

Kentucky basketball still in the dark about Enes Kanter appeal

LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky basketball fans are anxious for official word on Enes Kanter’s eligibility status.

But they won’t get any clues from inside the Wildcats’ program, where the status of UK’s appeal to the NCAA remains a mystery.

“I don’t know anything about the case or the hearing,” UK assistant coach John Robic said Thursday while filling in for head coach John Calipari at a scheduled media opportunity. “It’s really been out of our hands, so I can’t answer that question. I’m just like everybody else around here.”

The Wildcats – who play at North Carolina on Saturday – expect to hear within the week the outcome of the university’s appeal on Kanter’s eligibility.


The NCAA ruled the 6-foot-11 freshman permanently ineligible for accepting $33,033 in excessive benefits in 2008-09 when he played for Fenerbahce, a pro club in his native Turkey.


UK appealed that ruling. Multiple media outlets reported that the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee heard the university’s appeal on Wednesday, but UK has neither confirmed nor denied that.


The university expects to hear a decision on Kanter within two days of the hearing, spokesman DeWayne Peevy said Wednesday.


Meanwhile, Kanter and the Cats (5-1) are waiting.
 
“I’m sure we’re excited to know, (but) I’m not sure when it’s going to happen,” point guard Brandon Knight said. “I haven’t really heard anything about it. (Kanter) seems in high spirits all the time – always making jokes, always laughing, always being Enes, not really letting anything get him down.”

Brett Dawson
courier-journal.com

UK remains uncertain about Enes Kanter’s appeal

UK is in the same state as the rest of the fan base when it comes to the Enes Kanter situation; it doesn’t know anything.

“I don’t know anything about the case or the hearing,” UK assistant coach John Robic said. “It’s really been out of our hands, so I really can’t answer that question. I’m really like everyone else around here.”

Reports surfaced on various national outlets that Kanter’s appeal of the NCAA’s initial ruling, which deemed him permanently ineligible, occurred Wednesday and a decision might be reached before the weekend.

“I don’t have a clue when we’re supposed to find out,” junior Darius Miller said. “I hope we do find out today. We’re all just hoping with our fingers crossed.”

The addition of Kanter would bolster UK’s frontcourt, which is currently helmed by senior Josh Harrellson and junior Eloy Vargas.

“We’ve all been pretty anxious,” Miller said. “He’s a great player and can be a huge help, a huge asset to the team, so we’re all just waiting just like everybody else.”

It seems like everybody is anxious — except for maybe Kanter himself.

“He seems in high spirits all the time, always making jokes, always laughing,” freshman Brandon Knight said. “Always being Enes. Not letting anything get him down.”

Kanter has been able to practice with the team since the intitial ruling of his ineligibility. He’s helped prepare the team for North Carolina’s frontcourt, which is stocked with length.

“He looks great,” Miller said. “He’s playing extremely well. He’s strong and has great footwork.”

Aaron Smith
kykernel.com

The Layup Line — So Cam Newton can play but Enes Kanter can’t, huh …

• Meet the coach who just won his 700th game. His team has to play home games in a high school gym. {Detroit Free Press}

• It speaks to your team when the other team and its fans, the ones that just won, are collectively curbing the enthusiasm. {Peoria Journal Star}

• Because I love music so much: The first top-50-albums-of-2010 list I’ve read this year. {Paste}

• And with the return of  “Tunes and Teams Tuesdays” here at CHJ next week, some unintended suggestions for Bruce Pearl’s situation. {John Clay’s Blog}

• Is the state of North Carolina the basketball capital of the world? Full disclosure: author of the piece is a graduate of Duke. {Wall Street Journal}

• Speaking of NC ball, this is overdue: Jordan to get inducted into North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. You know, two years after he made the NBA’s. {AP}

• I suppose it’s that time already: scout anonymously evaluated some talent for the upcoming Draft. {Sporting News}

• Some premature punches at ESPN? More than a month before the hoops version of “GameDay” begins its season, some advice for improvement. {Rush the Court}

• A lot of money being spent on not a lot of winning. {Shreveport Times}

•  Kanter not playing is all the more puzzling when you consider Cam Newton is now off the hook. {Sporting News}

collegehoopsjournal.com

WAITING ON FREE ENES

Know many are drawing comparisons between the the Cameron Newton and Enes Kanter eligibility cases, but we’ll have to see if the NCAA draws the same connection. Newton’s father was shopping his son, and the NCAA ruled (for now) that his actions were without the knowledge of his son. (Not sure I’m buying that, by the way.) The Kanter case goes back to the fact he was paid above and beyond reasonable expenses when he played for that Turkish club team. Even UK agrees to that, or at least that’s my understanding. What is in dispute is the intent of the money paid. The NCAA ruled that it did not matter that the Kanters used it for educational purposes. UK is arguing that it does matter. UK says the Kanters did everything they could to keep Kanter’s amateur status. And apparently the appeal was heard Wednesday. So we should know something by this weekend. Once and for all.


johnclay.bloginky.com