Kentucky Asks N.C.A.A. To Revisit Kanter Eligibility

The University of Kentucky is asking the N.C.A.A. to take a second look at the eligibility of the freshman center Enes Kanter. The university and the N.C.A.A. put out a joint statement saying Kentucky had asked to submit additional information. The N.C.A.A. student-athlete reinstatement staff ruled the 6-foot-11 Kanter ineligible last month because he received benefits above actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club team in Turkey.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Why isn't Enes Kanter getting the same break Cam Newton did?

On Wednesday morning, it is my understanding, Kentucky freshman Enes Kanter went before the NCAA student-athlete reinstatement committee to determine if the original ruling that he was permanently ineligible would be permitted to stand.

His family had the opportunity to collect millions from the Turkish club Fenerbahce Ulker and the Turkey basketball federation, but instead chose merely to accept expenses from the club in an effort to maintain NCAA eligibility. The amount the family received – about $33,000 -- was deemed to be excessive by the NCAA.

On Wednesday afternoon, another SEC athlete had his eligibility case heard. Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton was ruled ineligible this week, but the school appealed for his reinstatement on the grounds he did not know his father had conspired with a private scout to sell Newton’s commitment to Mississippi State, reportedly for a six-figure sum.

Newton got the OK to play for the Tigers this week in the SEC championship game.

Kanter still does not know if he’ll ever play college basketball.

Seriously?

Having typed out those words, it seems even more ridiculous in print.

Enes Kanter might be permanently ineligible because his family, thousands of miles and a culture or two removed from NCAA regulations, did not properly interpret what their son would be allowed to accept from a club while he practiced and competed. Kanter was only 16 years old when all this began, and yet he is being held strictly liable for how his family managed his eligibility. He is derided by many in the media as a “professional,” the word pronounced as though spelled with entirely scarlet letters.

Cam Newton will be permitted to play the remainder of his college football career, whether it’s two more games or through the 2011 season. His family had every reason to fully understand NCAA rules, because Newton already had gone through the recruiting process once and played two seasons at the University of Florida. And yet Cecil Newton has acknowledged attempting to arrange for a payment from Mississippi State in exchange for getting his son to sign there last winter. Cam Newton is being excused on the grounds he did not know about that pursuit.

One family purposefully does wrong, shredding the NCAA’s most obvious rule, and the son prospers and excels.

One family mistakenly stumbles outside the more ambiguous pages of the NCAA’s rulebook, and the son sits with the weight of permanent ineligibility draped across his shoulders.

If the NCAA wants its operation to be perceived as serious, and certainly it does given the billions at stake, there can be no option other than to order Kanter’s family to repay the amount in question and restoring his eligibility immediately, counting the six games missed as time served.

The Kanters would gladly write that check. Unlike some, they are not looking to be enriched by their son’s time as an NCAA athlete.

Mike DeCourcy
sportingnews.com

Newton case opens door for UK, Kanter

Late Friday, as most Kentucky fans were bracing for the NCAA to rule on Turkish forward Enes Kanter's eligibility appeal, Kentucky released a rather intriguing statement. Kanter's appeal hadn't been decided either way. Instead, the school had "new information" it planned to present to the NCAA in the hopes of getting Kanter eligible after all.

Seeing as both sides have agreed to the major facts of the case -- that Kanter received around $33,000 during his developmental time in the Turkish club Fenerbahce -- what could this new information be? Here's a hint. The new information starts with a "C", and ends with "am Newton."

How do we know this? Given the similarity between the two situations, and the NCAA's loophole-y decision to reinstate Newton despite the apparent recruiting abuses by his father, Cecil, it's not exactly a difficult guess. But we don't have to guess, because someone told ESPN.com's Andy Katz as much Friday:

      A source with knowledge of Kentucky's plan told ESPN.com the NCAA's decision on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton prompted the new approach. [...] Kentucky then requested an appeal in front of the reinstatement committee that was scheduled for this week. But the Newton decision forced the school to alter its approach. [...]

     Kentucky is hopeful that the same committee will now look differently at the case after the Newton decision. Kentucky has maintained that Kanter intended to be an amateur by pursuing an education in the United States as a senior in high school and then as a freshman in college instead of going directly to a professional team in Europe, considering he was a rare foreign player who was a lottery lock but wanted to be a college player.

As I wrote Friday, this is Kentucky's last and best chance at getting Kanter on the floor this season. Why? Because the NCAA seems to have ruled one way on Newton and the other on Kanter. How else can you explain the two decisions?

The Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement could have decided -- and this is just a guess -- that Kanter knew about the professional-level benefits he received as an ostensible amateur in Turkey, that his family wasn't the only entity pulling the purse strings. If that's not the case, if Kanter didn't know how much money his family was receiving from Fenerbahce, then the NCAA appears to have backed itself into an intractable corner. That's the distinction the NCAA has created, and that's the one it will need to solve almost immediately.

How the Newton decision will affect recruiting and punishment over the long term remains a mystery. It's not hard to see it as a major slippery-slope; if the ruling becomes codified precedent, family members, AAU runners and the like would seem to have free reign to pursue cash in exchange for their players' services, so long as the player can plausibly deny any such arrangement. The Kanter case isn't directly analogous, but it is the first time a school will attempt to test this brand new Newtonian loophole. How UK's new hearing (and, if necessary, subsequent appeal) proceed will give us a first glimpse at what might just be a new NCAA era.

Theoretical noodling aside, though, the bottom line is this: Thanks to Cam Newton, Kentucky now has as good a chance at getting Enes Kanter eligible as ever. Probably better. A conference rival in a separate sport has never been quite so kind.

Eamonn Brennan

espn.go.com

The Case for Enes Kanter

The case has been covered exhaustively since he committed to Kentucky. The case is still going and it seems there are always new twists being added. The most recent twist to the Enes Kanter case came from the NCAA's ruling on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton. The facts of the Newton case were that his father "shopped" him to schools but since Newton had no knowledge of it he is eligible to play. The same should hold true for Enes Kanter.

On December 1, 2010 Enes Kanter and the University of Kentucky presented their case to the NCAA appeals committee. The appeals process is known for making different rulings that the initial NCAA eligibility group. Just ask Josh Selby. Although there were no guarantees it was highly anticipated that a ruling on the appeal would be announced 48 hours after the case was heard. Friday in this case. Instead of a ruling, the news broke that the University of Kentucky had submitted new information to the NCAA. Certainly an unexpected twist.

The NCAA ruled on Cam Newton's case the same day that Enes Kanter's case was being heard by the appeal committee. By Friday, the University has submitted new information. Seems likely that the new information is that Kanter was unaware and any wrong doing's, just as Cam Newton was.

Mike Lupica of the NY Daily News agree's that if Newton is eligible, then Kanter should be as well.

Let me get this straight, even in the weird system, and culture, of selective justice the NCAA always has going:
Kentucky can't play its big kid from Turkey - Enes Kanter - because they say he was overpaid when he was 15 years old playing in Turkey, but Cam Newton's old man can put his kid on the NCAA Football Home Shopping Network?
Really?
The NCAA declared Kanter ineligible because it said he received expenses beyond what he should have gotten playing for a club team in Turkey?
So that's a threat to everything sacred in college sports but Cam's old man isn't?
Seriously?

Hat Tip to Alan Cutler.

Yesterday during the open chat on NOB during the UNC game, the topic of Kanter came up. Of course it did. There were many different opinions on the case that covered both possibilities. One fan suggested that Kanter and his family received money and therefore he is ineligible. Another stated that it was quite simple, Kanter played for a professional team and therefore he is ineligible.

Then there was the other side of the fence and this happens to be the side that I am on. Selby received impermissible benefits and is allowed to pay them back with a 9 game suspension. So if Kanter was aware, provide him with a similar ruling. Then there is Cam Newton who was unaware that his father shopped him around for money. So if Kanter wasn't aware, provide him with a similar ruling.

To me, it seems as if the case is covered either way. FREE ENES.
 

Scott

nationofblue.com

Auburn's Cam Newton may end up helping Enes Kanter

Auburn's Cam Newton may end up helping Enes Kanter. Kentucky has asked the NCAA to take another look at Kanter's eligibility after it's ruling on Newton, according to ESPN.com. Maybe it's apples and oranges, but seems strange how one guy's parents can solicit money and a 17-year-old kid can't get money for room, board and expenses while playing for a club team in Europe.

Husky Men's Basketball Blog

seattletimes.nwsource.com

Enes Kanter Could Solve Kentucky's Big Problem

If anything is to be gleaned from Kentucky's 75-73 loss at North Carolina Saturday, it's that the Wildcats -- though solid on the perimeter -- really, really need Enes Kanter. Carolina exposed Kentucky for what they are: a soft team that will be forced to win games with shooting and a solid transition game. 

Kentucky shot well enough to win, but they simply had no answer for Tyler Zeller in the post. Zeller, who went for 27 points and 11 rebounds, was coming off two games where he scored one point or less in each. That is to say, Zeller, while arguably North Carolina's best player, isn't exactly a powerhouse on the low blocks.

Even so, he's effective when he gets the ball in the paint. And another thing: He has far more experience than the three guys Kentucky trotted out to stop him. Josh Harrellson has played well in the early season -- so much so, in fact, that after Kentucky blasted Boston University on Tuesday night, the Terriers' head coach referred to him as "Mother Hen." In retrospect, that isn't really much of a compliment and is, in fact, frighteningly accurate. Harrellson -- and why not lump backup center Eloy Vargas in here, as well -- lacks the size and ability to play with big men with any semblance of offensive ability. The fouls -- over the backs, reaching for entry passes, out-of-position blocks -- were as unnecessary as they were silly. Terrence Jones -- a small forward, really, who was forced to play four and try to handle Zeller after the former two hacked their way to the bench -- fouled out on a hand check 22 feet from the basket.

The good news, however, is that most of these deficiencies can be hidden. For starters, this team will only grow, mature, and get better. One more made three and this game has a different outcome, after all. Furthermore, with the Kanter decision still uncertain, there is a chance the Kentucky gets some good news from the NCAA in the coming weeks. With the Turkish big man, though, the Wildcats will be left trying to win games with their guards, something that will hurt them when facing teams -- like UNC -- with scoring big men.

However, the secret's out. There's a clear formula for beating this Kentucky team, and it starts and ends with getting them in foul trouble. With only 10 scholarship players available, they are thin at every position. And with their apparent propensity to foul -- they committed 26 Saturday and had four players foul out -- it's a formula that they need to guard against.


Evan Hilbert
ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com

Kentucky Asks NCAA to Take 2nd Look at Kanter

Two days after the NCAA’s controversial Cam Newton ruling, Kentucky asked the NCAA to take a second look at the eligibility of freshman center Enes Kanter.

The school and the NCAA issued a joint statement Friday saying Kentucky has asked for an opportunity to submit additional information about Kanter’s eligibility.

“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,” the statement said.

Kentucky’s request came two days after the NCAA caused a stir by declaring  Newton, the Auburn quarterback, eligible.

Mark Emmert, the new NCAA president, acknowledged the Newton case created a loophole in the rules that had to be addressed.

“We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could ‘shop around’ a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete’s eligibility,” he said in a statement. “I’m committed to further clarifying and strengthening our recruiting and amateurism rules so they promote appropriate behavior by students, parents, coaches and third parties. We will work aggressively with our members to amend our bylaws so that this type of behavior is not a part of intercollegiate athletics,”

The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff ruled the 6-foot-11 Kanter permanently ineligible last month because he received benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for his Turkish basketball club.

The NCAA decided Kanter received over $33,000 above his necessary expenses for the 2008-09 season.

Kentucky coach John Calipari has maintained Kanter remained an amateur while playing for the club team, saying a portion of the extra benefits were for “educational” purposes and that Kanter’s intent was not to become a professional.

The school appealed the initial decision before opting to ask for the chance to offer new information. Kanter is allowed to practice with the team while the situation remains in review.

The 10th-ranked Wildcats play North Carolina on Saturday.

ADAM ZAGORIa
zagsblog.com

Enes Kanter decision looming

Day in the Top 25: Kentucky asks NCAA for second look at Kanter

Lexington, Ky. • The University of Kentucky is asking the NCAA to take a second look at the eligibility of freshman center Enes Kanter.

The school and the NCAA issued a joint statement Friday saying No. 10 Kentucky has asked for an opportunity to submit additional information about Kanter’s eligibility.

“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,” the statement said.

The NCAA student-athlete reinstatement staff ruled the 6-foot-11 Kanter permanently ineligible last month because he received benefits above his actual and necessary expenses while playing for a club basketball team in Turkey.

Kentucky coach John Calipari has maintained Kanter remained an amateur while playing for the club team in 2008-09, saying a portion of the extra benefits were for “educational” purposes and that Kanter’s intent wasn’t to become a professional.

The Wildcats play North Carolina on Saturday.

The Associated Press

Published Dec 3, 2010 10:38PM

Updated 5 hours ago

sltrib.com

UK says it has 'new information' on Enes Kanter's eligibilityn

Citing "new information," the University of Kentucky plans to try again to convince the NCAA to declare freshman Enes Kanter eligible.

Sometime this week, UK had been expected 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 issued a joint statement with the NCAA on Friday saying it had asked for permission to submit new information regarding Kanter's eligibility.

Procedures require Kentucky to introduce the new information before the NCAA reinstatement staff, which earlier declared Kanter permanently ineligible.

If the reinstatement staff again declares Kanter ineligible in a reconsideration of the case, Kentucky would then have the right to make the new information part of an appeal hearing. If the NCAA reinstatement staff declares Kanter eligible, there would be no appeals process necessary, and he could begin playing immediately.

In either scenario, a judgment could be expected within two weeks.

UK spokesman DeWayne Peevy said the NCAA did not permit the school to comment on the nature of the new information. Neither the NCAA nor UK would further comment on Kanter's case until a judgment is rendered, the statement said.

Coincidentally or not, Kentucky's statement about new information came two days after the NCAA raised eyebrows by declaring Auburn quarterback Cam Newton eligible.

The NCAA determined that Newton's father worked with an owner of a scouting service to sell the player's services. In declaring Newton eligible, Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs, said on the organization's Web site, "We must consider the young person's responsibility. Based on the information available to the reinstatement staff at this time, we do not have sufficient evidence that Cam Newton or anyone from Auburn was aware of this activity, which led to his reinstatement."

New NCAA president Mark Emmert issued a statement acknowledging the Newton case created a loophole in the rules that needed to be closed.

"We recognize that many people are outraged at the notion that a parent or anyone else could 'shop around' a student-athlete and there would possibly not be repercussions on the student-athlete's eligibility," he said in a statement on the NCAA Web site. "I'm committed to further clarifying and strengthening our recruiting and amateurism rules so they promote appropriate behavior by students, parents, coaches and third parties. We will work aggressively with our members to amend our bylaws so that this type of behavior is not a part of intercollegiate athletics,"

While that process unfolds, ESPN basketball analyst Jimmy Dykes suggested, Kentucky could argue that Kanter did not participate in any financial arrangements with a professional team in Turkey.

"I would say the Cam Newton situation, from a common-sense standpoint, would add fuel to Kentucky's 

case," Dykes said.

Dykes also suggested that Kanter might have turned down a lucrative professional contract to play in this country.

"There's a lot of stuff there in a lot of areas you could build a strong case for Enes Kanter," said Dykes, who also acknowledged that a case could be made that the NCAA was correct in declaring the player permanently ineligible.

The NCAA and UK agreed that Kanter received $33,033 in excess of the permitted "actual and necessary expenses" in his third and final season playing for Fenerbahce Ulker. The Turkish team provided the NCAA with housing and banking records to substantiate the compensation it paid Kanter or his family.

In terms of the impact Kanter can make on Kentucky's team, there is no dispute.

"He's a major difference maker," Dykes said. If the NCAA declares Kanter eligible, Kentucky is "right back to the Elite Eight and championship hunt."

Jerry Tipton

kentucky.com