Ifeanyi Onyekaba, a 6-foot-8 Nigerian forward, has qualified for Rhode Island by NCAA standards but because of his complex situation he will have to sit out this season before he becomes eligible.
Led by head coach Dan Hurley, Rhode Island is filing a waiver with the NCAA to see if he can become eligible this year.
“The kid is highly intelligent and has been a high-achiever academically both in Africa and in the two schools in Virginia,” Hurley told SNY.tv.
“We’re thrilled to have him as a member of the program moving forward. He brings a real physical defensive rebounding presence. Moving forward in the program he’s got a great chance to have a real prominent role because of how effective he is around the basket.”
Onyekaba, who averaged 20.6 points, 15.6 rebounds and 3.7 rebounds last year at Virginia Episcopal School, chose Rhode Island over Utah, Minnesota and Murray State.
Rhode Island, which was down to eight scholarship players at one point, has also added 6-5 Canadian guard Alwayne Bigby.
Hurley’s club also has three transfers sitting out this season who will be eligible next year — Gilvydas Biruta, DeShon “Biggie” Minnis and Jarelle Reischel.
