The good news just keeps rolling in for John Calipari and company.
Calipari said on ESPN Wednesday that prized freshman center Nerlens Noel “is cleared to practice and cleared to play games.”
The NCAA seconded Calipari’s statement in an email to USA Today.
SNY.tv reported last week that the 6-foot-10 Noel — a projected lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft — had been cleared on the academic side but the NCAA was still looking into amateurism issues related to his recruitment.
SI.com reported that the NCAA was looking into how Noel paid for various unofficial visits.
The Noel news comes on the heels of Kentucky landing prized twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison and Michigan shooting guard James Young for the class of 2013. Later Wednesday, they added6-8 California forward Marcus Lee.
Kentucky also remains in the mix for 2013 forward Julius Randle and 2014 small forward Andrew Wiggins, who may or may not reclassify to 2013.
The UCLA duo of Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson remains in limbo awaiting clearance from the NCAA. Muhammad and Noel both announced their college choices on the same day last spring.
Photo: Cal Sport Media
