NC State's Rodney Purvis cleared for classes, but not games

North Carolina State has its best chance to win an ACC championship in nearly 20 years this season, but the Wolfpack are still waiting on a key piece.

Rodney Purvis, a five-star guard coming out of high school, was cleared on Tuesday by the NCAA to go to classes – but he has not be cleared to play basketball yet. The news was first reported by the Raleigh News & Observer.

Purvis attended Upper Room Christian Academy in North Carolina, which is under review by the NCAA. He was not allowed to travel with the team on their preseason trip to Spain, and missed the first two days of class last week.

Sources tell CBSSports.com that North Carolina State is confident Purvis will play at some point this season, but they are not sure when he will be fully cleared.

“I don't think it will be a problem for the entire season,” one source said. "But the start of the season? Not sure."

Last season, the NCAA deemed Kansas' Ben McLemore a partial qualifier, meaning he could practice with the Jayhawks but not play in games. N.C. State is hoping that Purvis doesn't suffer the same punishment.

The Wolfpack might be the preseason favorite in the ACC, as they return four starters from last season's Sweet 16 team. Purvis is the centerpiece of a top-10 recruiting class that also includes four-star prospects T.J. Warren and Tyler Lewis.

North Carolina State opens practice on October 12, with the inaugural “Primetime With The Pack.”