Cheick Diallo's Looming Eligibility Issue

For all of the 2014-15 season, the Kansas Jayhawks struggled to find a front court partner for potential All-American Perry Ellis.

Coming into last season, it was supposed to be Cliff Alexander, the freshman who was a consensus top five recruit in the country. But instead Bill Self kept a revolving door on the starting center spot, with Jamari Traylor and Landen Lucas getting most of the starts.

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Eventually, Alexander assumed the position in a mid-February game against Texas Tech. But that was short lived, lasting just five games. Following a zero point performance in a loss to Kansas State, Alexander was ruled ineligible, allegedly because his mother took impermissible benefits from an NBA agent. Landen Lucas took over the center spot admirably for the rest of the season, but it just wasn’t enough. The freshman star, Joel Embiid’s much-hyped replacement, was not to be.

Thus, heading into the offseason where the only losses were Alexander and wing Kelly Oubre, Bill Self made it his mission to find someone to play next to Ellis. On April 28, Cheick Diallo announced he would play for the Jayhawks. Diallo, the number five freshman in the country according to rivals, would be the perfect compliment to Ellis. His high motor would lead to putbacks when Ellis misses, and his shot blocking ability would help cover up Ellis’ defensive limitations.

Although his feel for the game and offensive skill level leave much to be desired, Diallo’s 7′ 4” wingspan, motor and fluidity should make him a highlight reel at the college level.

—DraftExpress

But now, it’s Diallo that faces the eligibility issue. His high school, Our Savior New American School, is under NCAA investigation for their academic requirements.

Even worse news for the Jayhawks is that earlier this week, freshman Alabama guard Kobie Eubanks was ruled ineligible by the NCAA. He will not be able to enroll in school, or play in the 2015-16 season. This stings even more coming into a season in which the Crimson Tide will be losing their top three scorers, and four rotation players in total, either to graduation, or transfer.

Why does this matter to the Jayhawks?

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Eubanks’ eligibility issue stems from some of his high school credits not being accepted, high school credits from Our Savior New American School. Things look bleak for Diallo, and many are wondering if he will ever be seen in a Kansas uniform. If Eubanks’ credits from high school aren’t accepted, why would Diallo’s credits from the same high school be accepted? This would leave Kansas with the same black hole in the frontcourt that plagued them last season.

Traylor and Lucas return, Carlton Bragg comes in as a highly touted freshman, and Arkansas transfer Hunter Mickelson played well in this summer’s World University Games, helping the Jayhawks to the gold. But none of them have quite the potential that Diallo does. And if Diallo is ruled ineligible, it could be a knife to the stomach in a season that has many in Lawrence thinking national championship.

Next: Tom Crean Needs a Commit from Eron Gordon

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Kansas Jayhawks Basketball: Cheick Diallo’s Looming Eligibility Issue

By Matt Ostrowski | Aug 21, 2015

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