Dez Wells cleared by NCAA to play for Maryland

Maryland guard Dezmine Wells has been cleared to play this season by the NCAA, according to a tweet by the Washington Times' Patrick Stevens.

Wells is a first-year transfer at Maryland. He transferred from Xavier after his freshman season after a sexual assault allegation. Wells was not charged.

In October, the NCAA denied Wells' eligibility request, but Maryland filed an appeal. Under NCAA rules, when a player transfers, he has to sit out a season.

At Xavier last season, Wells averaged 9.8 points per game. He played an average of 26 minutes per game, while pulling down 4.9 rebounds per game. The 6'5 native of North Carolina can play either guard or forward. Wells announced in September that he would transfer from Xavier to Maryland.

The Terrapins could use Wells this season. Last year, Maryland finished 17-15 overall. In the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Terrapins went 6-10. Their record put them in the bottom half of the ACC standings.