NCAA rules Eli Carter eligible to play immediately for Gators

Published Sep. 30, 2013 11:49 a.m. ET

foxsports

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Former Rutgers guard Eli Carter is eligible to play at Florida this season.

The NCAA has granted Carter a waiver to play immediately after transferring from Rutgers this year. Carter left Rutgers after the school fired coach Mike Rice, who was caught on videotape shoving, grabbing and throwing balls at players and using gay slurs during practice.

Gators coach Billy Donovan says "we are happy to have Eli available to play right away this season."

Carter, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, averaged 14.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists last season as a sophomore. He broke his right leg in February and has not been cleared to run or cut.

Carter could help Florida's backcourt, which will be without guard Scottie Wilbekin for "a game or games" for violating team rules.