The North Carolina State Wolfpack basketball team earned a big win Monday when Turkish freshman Omer Yurtseven was granted eligibility this season, with stipulations.
The 7-0 center, who once scored 91 points in a game in Europe, will be required to sit out 30 percent of NC State’s 2016-17 schedule, a total of the first nine regular season games. Yurtseven will also be required to pay $1,000 to a charity of his choice, according to a release.
Yurtseven had a professional contract offer with a European club, prompting the NCAA to review whether he could retain his amateur status.
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“The NCAA conducted a thoughtful analysis of Omer’s situation,” NC State Director of Athletics Debbie Yow said. “Their staff exhibited considerable concern for fairness and for the welfare of this conscientious young man in their decision.”
Yurtseven, 18, was one of the most highly-touted freshman in this year's class. Once he's cleared from his suspension, he will join fellow five-star recruit Dennis Smith Jr. to team with promising junior forward Abdul-Malik Abu.
Even though Yurtseven's ruling is a win for the Wolfpack in the long run, head coach Mark Gottfried was still disappointed not to have his talented big man all season.
"I'm disappointed for Omer,” Gottfried said. “He has been patient and 100 percent forthright. We will adapt and integrate him in as soon as possible."