University of Miami junior forward Ivan Cruz Uceda will miss half of this season's games as announced by head coach Jim Larranga on Wednesday.
Due to an NCAA rule that requires a student-athlete to enroll in college one year after high school graduation, Cruz Uceda was deemed ineligible. He spent the past two seasons at Harcum College, a two-year independent residential college, in Pennsylvania.
Originally from Madrid, Spain, he became an All-American at Harcum College where he averaged 14.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 23.3 minutes in 2013-14. For his achievements, he was named to the All-National Tournament Team by leading the Bears to the NJCAA Division I National Semifinals.
Cruz Uceda set school records for rebounds in a game (29) and career (635), while also leaving as the fourth-highest scorer in its history with 957 points and sixth in blocked shots (76).
Although he cannot play until Jan. 13 when the Hurricanes travel to Durham to face the Duke Blue Devils, the 6-foot-10, 237-pounder can practice with the team. He is one of seven newcomers.
"We feel very bad for Ivan," Larranaga said in a statement. "Sitting out half of the season is very tough on him and us. Ivan is working very hard to prepare himself for when he does become eligible. He is an excellent rebounder and skilled big man. It is unfortunate that he is being impacted in such a way. We will miss him greatly during the first half of the year."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
