UH awaits word on Vebobe's eligibility
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Luc-Arthur Vebobe has his bags packed, but whether or not he's going anywhere remains a mystery.
University of Hawai'i officials are expecting to have an answer today, when the NCAA is supposed to reveal a decision on Vebobe's eligibility.
The rest of his teammates are scheduled to leave today for Hilo. The Rainbow Warriors will participate in the Big Island Invitational Tournament this weekend.
"All I want to do is join the team for these games," Vebobe said. "That's what I'm supposed to do."
Vebobe, a 6-foot-9 junior, is under NCAA investigation for his past participation in a "tier one" league in France. According to research conducted by UH attorneys, Vebobe played in 11 games in that league.
Three weeks ago, the NCAA announced that players involved in such leagues would be penalized 20 percent of the games played in those leagues, up to a maximum penalty of eight games. Based on the UH research, Vebobe should sit out 2.2 games.
"I think we'll find out for sure (today)," UH head coach Riley Wallace said. "There are five or six kids from France involved in the (investigation), so the NCAA has been under pressure to make a decision on them."
Vebobe already has sat out the first two games of this season, which is his first at UH.
"I'm getting tired of the whole thing because it's taking so long," he said. "But it won't make any sense to me if I have to sit out six more games."
At least three other players from France have yet to play while awaiting a decision: Texas Tech's Pawell Storozynski has missed two games; South Alabama's Matt Forget and Benjamin Sormonte each sat out their season opener.
If the NCAA does not reach a decision today, or if it decides to penalize Vebobe more than two games, he will not be allowed to travel with the team.
Two other UH players under NCAA investigation, Predrag Savovic and Tony Akpan, will travel with the team, even if decisions on their eligibility are not made by today. UH officials have declared both players eligible, but are sitting them out as a precaution until the NCAA officially decides their fate. If the NCAA does not reach a decision by the weekend, both players will sit out again.
