Prospects Fading

Must a player now sign a grant in aid with the school? Has the time to sign an LOI passed? The effect of signing the grant or whatever it is, is that while it is binding on the school, the player is not bound and can change his mind, however unlikely that may be.

The delay might have something to do with clearing the young man academically, particularly if he is a foreign student, with classes on different subjects with titles in spanish, dutch, mandarin? I find it hard to imagine the actual form taking that long to execute and deliver . . .

Let's hope whomever this young man he can contribute immediately.

Go Pilots.

The signing period ends May 18 for Basketball - August 1 for most other sports.

Once a player signs, both school and player have a one year obligation. In addition, a player must sit a year if he chooses to transfer unless the school grants a waiver.
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/nli/NLI/Home/

In basketball, it is a full scholarship. They don't split the money between players like soccer.
Non athletic grants are in addition to, but not limited by, athletic money. It still can't be more than the value of an education.

The player must go through the regular admissions committees to be approved for admission, and yes, that takes a while until the committee meets. In addition, the NCAA must approve the student's academics before a freshman can step on the court.

All these are formalities, but they take time. The NCAA is particularly slow with foreign students. Even with home grown kids, sometimes a soccer player has had to sit for the first couple games while they handed down a ruling. They will announce before NCAA results, however, if they are confident on the academics.

Many European programs take a year or more longer than USA schooling, so the kid will probably be older.
If he's from Spain like we think, he will come with a Bachillerato degree, which normally two to three years beyond age 16 (so, 18 or 19) If he went to academy, he will be older yet.

As long as our "hero" can write we're ok

Let's hope that in addition to being able to write he can shoot, block shots, fight for rebounds and fend off the skepticism of some fans about his ability to contribute. Whether heroic or not, it would be nice to see an upgrade at the center position and across the front line. This will be a tough conference next year.

I just hope we don't get put through this ringer when they finally announce him.