Los Angeles, CA – UCLA guard/forward Shabazz Muhammad has been ruled ineligible due to a violation of NCAA amateurism rules, the school announced prior to Friday's season-opener against Indiana State.
Muhammad is widely considered to be one of college basketball's top freshmen. The NCAA is reportedly investigating connections Muhammad's family had with a pair of financial agents.
"The NCAA has finally determined that a violation of the NCAA amateurism rules has occurred involving UCLA freshman guard Shabazz Muhammad and his family. As a result, he is ineligible for competition at this time. We are extremely disappointed that the NCAA has made this determination," UCLA athletics director Dan Guerrero said in a statement.
"The University and our compliance staff have fully cooperated with the NCAA throughout this entire period, and we believe the decision is incorrect and unjust to Shabazz. UCLA will expeditiously pursue its options to challenge this determination. When a final resolution has been reached by the NCAA, we will swiftly communicate the news to the entire Bruin family."
Muhammad, who has been out since Oct. 25 with a shoulder sprain, played at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
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