The NCAA has ruled five-star freshman Omari Spellman academically ineligible to play for Villanova this season.
"We are extremely disappointed for Omari," said Villanova coach Jay Wright. "While we don't agree with the NCAA's decision, we are members of the association and respect it. We understand why the NCAA felt it had to rule this way. We will make a positive out of this for Omari. He will concentrate on his academics and individual development this season. In the long run, Omari will be a better student and player for this experience."
Spellman is a 6-foot-9 center who was ranked 19th in the Class of 2016, according to 247 Sports. He was expected to help the reigning national champs overcome the loss of Daniel Ochefu, who averaged 10.0 points and 7.5 rebounds as a senior.
Villanova announced Spellman will remain on scholarship and in school.
He's expected to be available for the 2017-18 season.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OMARI SPELLMAN'S INELIGIBILITY
1. This definitely does affect Villanova's title hopes
There's no guarantee Spellman was going to be great or even good as a freshman. But he is a big-bodied five-star recruit who was expected to play major minutes and possibly start. Will this development cost Villanova a chance to repeat as Big East and national champions? Not necessarily, no. But it does subtract from the Wildcats' size and depth, and it makes staying healthy around the rim extremely important.
2. It's time for Darryl Reynolds to elevate his game
Reynolds averaged 3.6 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.1 minutes per game last season while backing up Ochefu, and Villanova now needs him to improve on that. The 6-8 forward did have a 19-point, 10-rebound effort against Providence when Ochefu was sidelined last February; so Reynolds is clearly capable. But consistency is the key. Reynolds needs to be consistently strong, at least on the boards, for Villanova to be great again.
3. Nobody should make high school this complicated
The issue here is that the NCAA doesn't believe Spellman graduated on time with his high school class, mostly because he was once reclassified in the process of attending four different institutions before enrolling at Villanova. And I have but one question: why? I don't know even one normal person who has ever attended four different high schools, and yet basketball prospects do it on the regular. It's always unnecessary and often harmful. And it's something the adults in these young prospects' lives would be wise to help them avoid.
