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Panel to decide fate of recruit

By Daily Bruin Staff

July 14, 1996 9:00 p.m.

Friday, July 14, 1995

Letter of intent may keep Hart from sick brotherBy Christopher
Isidro

Summer Bruin Senior Staff

A five-member panel is expected to rule today on the status of
Syracuse basketball recruit Jason Hart, who is seeking a release
from his letter of intent with the Orangemen so that he may remain
near his ailing brother.

The Collegiate Commissioners Association (CCA), the committee
which administers the national letter of intent, will decide the
fate of the Los Angeles point guard prospect. Should he leave
Syracuse, he will either be allowed to play for another Division I
school immediately, or he will have to sit out the next one or two
seasons.

Hart, who averaged 20 points, eight assists, and five rebounds
in his senior year at Inglewood High School, signed with the
Orangemen in November. Six months later, he requested for a release
from his commitment, citing the deteriorating health of his
23-year-old brother, Jadifi, who is suffering from degenerative
kidney disease.

Syracuse refused to grant the release, concerned about possible
tampering by other schools. Officials maintain that Hart was aware
of his brother’s condition when he signed with the Orangemen in
November.

"I told him not to sign if he had any reservations," Syracuse
head basketball coach Jim Boeheim said. "He said, ‘Coach, I have no
reservations.’"

Should Hart break his letter of intent without the blessing of
Syracuse officials, he would have to sit out two full seasons. Even
with a release from the university, Hart still would not see action
for one year. So in June, Hart appealed to the CCA and requested an
unconditional release based on special circumstances.

Hart told the Syracuse Post-Standard that he will play at
Syracuse if the committee denies his appeal.

"I would have to," Hart said. "I don’t want to be penalized by
sitting out. I don’t think I should have to sit out. I’m hoping I
can stay here with my family."

Due to their location near the Hart residence, UCLA and USC
would have the best chance of landing Hart should he be released
from his commitment with Syracuse. The Bruins have an acute need
for a point guard to backup and eventually replace senior Cameron
Dollar.

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