UCLA announced Tuesday afternoon that the NCAA has granted freshman forward Wanaah Bail full eligibility for the 2013-14 season.
Bail, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Houston, initially signed with Texas Tech in 2012 under former head coach Billy Gillispie but decided against the Red Raiders after Gillispie resigned.
Bail, who enrolled at UCLA over the summer, graduated from Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg, Texas in 2012 and was considered one of the top prospects in the state. A strong defensive stopper that is still somewhat raw offensively, Bail is an athletic and skilled shooter that should bolster the Bruins’ front court depth.
"We are grateful that this matter has come to a conclusion and are very happy for Wanaah," said head coach Steve Alford in a statement. "I know that Wanaah is excited to get on the floor with his teammates, and we're all looking forward to him beginning his collegiate career at UCLA this season."
While Bail is cleared by the NCAA, he is still not medically cleared as he had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee in late June and was expected to be out 4-6 months.
The Bruins are still waiting on word from the NCAA regarding freshman guard Isaac Hamilton. During Monday’s basketball media day, Alford said he still had yet to hear about his status.
