NCAA Men's Basketball

UCLA star freshman Anderson cleared by NCAA

10/31 3:34 PM

UCLA freshman Kyle Anderson has been cleared to play after a lengthy NCAA investigation, the school announced Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES -- After a lengthy NCAA investigation, UCLA freshman Kyle Anderson has been cleared to play, the university announced Wednesday.

There is still no timetable for a resolution in a separate NCAA investigation into fellow freshman Shabazz Muhammad.

"UCLA was informed by the NCAA earlier today that freshman guard Kyle Anderson is eligible to play this season," athletic director Dan Guerrero said in a statement released by the school. "The NCAA has found no evidence to substantiate violations in his case."

Anderson, a 6-foot-9 guard who was ranked No. 5 overall on ESPN 100 in the Class of 2012, has been practicing with the Bruins the past two weeks and will play in the season opener Nov. 9 against Indiana State.

Anderson was being investigated because of his family's relationship with NBA agent Thad Foucher, according to sources who are not authorized to comment publicly. Foucher is a longtime friend of the Andersons, the sources said.

Foucher is the executive vice president of basketball for the Wasserman Media Group, an agency headed by prominent UCLA booster Casey Wasserman. Foucher's clients include Anthony Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NBA draft out of Kentucky.

UCLA expected Anderson to be cleared almost two months ago, but the investigation dragged on unexpectedly. He traveled with the team on a three-game exhibition trip to China in August and played in each game.

Muhammad, a 6-6 shooting guard ranked No. 2 overall on ESPN 100 in the 2012 class, has been under review even longer. The NCAA is looking into whether he received improper benefits during his recruitment, a source said, although UCLA is not a part of that investigation.

UCLA barred Muhammad from its trip to China because of the ongoing inquiry. He was practicing with the team but injured his shoulder Oct. 24 and is expected to miss two to four weeks.

Muhammad and Anderson were the top two players in the Bruins' recruiting class, which was ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPN. Both players were expected to start for the Bruins, who were an early favorite among prognosticators for a Final Four run but have dropped in preseason rankings because of the uncertainty surrounding the freshmen.

UCLA was in practice at the time of the announcement, and neither Anderson nor coach Ben Howland was immediately available for comment. A school spokesman said Howland would address the matter at Pac-12 basketball media day Thursday in San Francisco.