Enes Kanter's Appeal Rejected; NCAA Rules Him Permanently Ineligible

After considering the appeal made by the University of Kentucky on behalf of freshman Kentucky forward Enes Kanter, the NCAA has once again ruled that Kanter is permanently ineligible. Kanter was originally ruled ineligible in November when evidence came to light that he received improper benefits while playing basketball in Turkey, thus violating the NCAA's rules on amateurism.

According to a press release from the NCAA:

Kanter played three seasons with the Turkish sport club Fenerbahce from 2006-07 to 2008-09. Although he competed primarily for the club’s under-18 junior team, he did compete on the club’s senior team in 2008-09. According to facts agreed to by the university and the NCAA Eligibility Center, Kanter received $33,033 more than his actual expenses for the 2008-09 season.  

Although a recent NCAA rule change allows prospective student-athletes to compete on teams with professionals while maintaining their amateur status before  college enrollment, the membership maintained the longstanding rule that receipt of money above actual and necessary expenses from a professional team is a violation and defines the individual as a professional under NCAA legislation. That was the case here.

It is not clear whether Kanter will stay with the team as a graduate assistant or move on to professional basketball of some sort, but either way this is a setback for John Calipari's No. 10 Wildcats.

The full press release is available here.

For more on the Kanter ruling, and Kentucky basketball, go to SB Nation's A Sea Of Blue.