Three elite freshman have their college futures in limbo.
Kentucky’s talented big man Enes Kanter, Memphis wing Will Barton and Kansas point guard Josh Selby each have yet to be cleared by the NCAA, according to numerous sources.
Kanter is a 6-foot-10 native of Turkey who, according to sources close to the situation, is being investigated by the NCAA for amateurism issues.
Barton, as first reported by FOXSports.com, was denied initial eligibility by the NCAA earlier this week. The 6-foot-6 Barton is hopeful about an appeal, but sources indicate it’s “unlikely” he’ll be able to start the season on the court and may not be cleared at all to play this year.
Barton’s issue concerns academics dating back to his third high school — at Lake Clifton High in Maryland.
Selby, as first reported by CBSSports.com, is being investigated for amateurism concerns. His mother, Maeshon Witherspoon, confirmed to the Lawrence Journal-World on Thursday that her son had yet to be cleared, but that she didn’t “anticipate having any problems whatsoever with the NCAA.”
Kanter is expected to instantly become one of the top players in the country and also a potential lottery pick. He will likely move in to DeMarcus Cousins’ spot as Kentucky’s starting center, and some experts project him as the best big man in the nation.
Barton was the prize of Josh Pastner’s heralded recruiting class in Memphis, but the Tigers' staff has been concerned about his eligibility over the past few months.
Barton said he was "unable to comment” when reached Wednesday by FOXSports.com, shortly after being notified by the NCAA that he hadn’t been cleared. There are several issues, including an August graduation date in 2009 from Lake Clifton.
Selby, who is Barton’s cousin, also attended Lake Clifton and is expected to take over starting point guard duties from Sherron Collins, who graduated from Kansas this past season.
CBSSports.com said that the NCAA is looking into Selby’s relationship with Carmelo Anthony’s business manager, Robert “Bay” Frazier, among other things.
