Pittsburgh Recruiting

PITTSBURGH RECRUIT QUALIFYING STATUS

2008 Pitt recruit Robinson qualifies, 2009 Dodson is questionable

by Chris Dokish

According to a source close to the situation, the Pitt basketball program received good news today when the team learned that Nasir Robinson of Chester HS in Chester, PA has officially qualified. While Robinson’s test scores were high, he still had to wait for his final G.P.A before he knew if he was eligible. Robinson, 6’4” and 220 pounds, is a burly and tough small forward prospect who should see significant minutes this season behind returning starter Gilbert Brown, a sophomore. Robinson is considered a top 100 prospect.

There is a chance, however, that bad news may be looming for another small forward prospect. Darnell Dodson, currently at Miami Dade Junior College, once signed with the Panthers and even participated in unofficial workouts with the team before being told by the NCAA Clearinghouse that he was ineligible. The 6’7” forward then transferred to Miami Dade where he redshirted this past season. He was expected to enter Pitt again in 2009 as a redshirt sophomore, but that may change because of Dodson’s short time at the school.

The issues were raised when, two years ago, prospect Robert Sallie enrolled at Nebraska only to find out three days later that he was not eligible. Sallie then went to a junior college and tried to return to Nebraska this season. However, citing a rule that states that no player can be enrolled if he is not eligible, which Sallie did in 2006, the Big 12 ruled that Sallie could no longer play for Nebraska or any other school in the conference.

Whether or not the same standard will apply to Dodson remains to be seen. Even if it’s decided that a Big East rule is broken, extenuating circumstances could call for a waiver from the league office. A source close to the situation has stated that Pitt’s compliance office is currently checking to make sure that Dodson will be eligible at the university.

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