2010 All-American Will Barton ruled ineligible
Words. Austin Burton
Will Barton (photo. Baltimore Sun)
Will Barton, arguably the best high school two-guard in the Class of 2010, may not be able to play his freshman season at the University of Memphis.
On his Twitter page yesterday, Barton wrote, “It dont get no worse than this. The hardest thing I ever had 2 face is here. Need vision cuz everything blurry now. Where do I go from here?”
Hours later, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported that Barton had been ruled academically ineligible. If he can’t play at Memphis, Barton may go overseas or play in the NBA’s D-League for a year. He can then enter the 2011 NBA Draft.
Barton, a 6-foot-6 Baltimore native, averaged 20.8 points per game as a senior at Brewster Academy (N.H.), leading his team to the National Prep Championship and a New England Class A title. He played in the Jordan Brand Classic and for the USA team at the Nike Hoop Summit. At Lake-Clifton H.S. in Baltimore, he was named All-Metro Player of the Year as a junior, the year before incoming Kansas freshman Josh Selby played at Lake-Clifton.
From the Commercial Appeal article:
Barton … changed high schools twice before landing at Brewster Academy last season. College athletes who attend multiple high schools are at high risk to have their academic transcripts red-flagged.
The issue with Barton, however, is believed to be about whether he completed high school within the NCAA-mandated eight semesters, graduating from Lake Clifton High in Baltimore last August instead of June.
Those two months could cost Barton his college eligibility.
If Barton is not eligible for the Tigers, it would be a major blow to coach Josh Pastner’s hopes of returning the program to national prominence in his second season.
In that scenario, Memphis would rely even more on freshmen wings Jelan Kendrick and Chris Crawford, neither of whom was expected to start right away.
There is no timeline for an NCAA appeals process.
Highlights of Will Barton doing work:
this is a sad situation…i hope he gains eligibility…but im confused…was he a 5th yr senior?