NCAA clears Kyle Anderson to play for UCLA basketball team
By Daily Bruin Staff
Oct. 31, 2012 6:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, the NCAA cleared freshman guard Kyle Anderson to play in the upcoming basketball season according to an official statement released by Athletic Director Dan Guerrero.
The investigation surrounded the relationship between Anderson’s father, Kyle Anderson Sr., and an NBA agent named Thad Foucher.
Foucher is an agent with the Wasserman group, which was founded by Casey Wasserman, UCLA alum and donor.
Anderson traveled to China with the team over the summer, but the investigation was still ongoing.
The 6-foot-9 guard was a major player in the Bruins’ three-win effort on the China trip.
There was no sign until Wednesday morning that Anderson had been cleared, when the Los Angeles Times reported it based on information from his family members.
UCLA later released the statement, which confirmed the L.A. Times report.
“UCLA was informed by the NCAA earlier today that freshman guard Kyle Anderson is eligible to play this season, and that the NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate claims of violations in his case,” said Guerrero in a statement released by UCLA Athletics. “I am grateful to all those who were involved in the process.”
Anderson was the No. 5 recruit in the country according to ESPN. The guard out of St. Anthony High School in New Jersey was one of the earliest commitments in UCLA’s No. 1 rated recruiting class.
Anderson was one of the two highly prized freshmen in this year’s incoming class of basketball players along with guard Shabazz Muhammad.
His fellow freshman, Muhammad, has yet to be cleared by the NCAA. Last week, UCLA announced that Muhammad sustained a shoulder injury during a practice and would sit out for the next two to four weeks.
Neither UCLA Athletics nor the NCAA has released any information on the status of Muhammad and it is not clear when or whether, he will be cleared.
The UCLA basketball team opens its season on Nov. 9 against Indiana State in the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion.
Compiled by Emma Coghlan, Bruin Sports senior staff
