The Baylor Bears officially announced in a press release that freshman Perry Jones III has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA and will not play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Baylor was informed of the decision on Wednesday afternoon, hours before they were set to tip-off against Oklahoma, and immediately appealed the decision.
The official cause of the suspension: "pre-enrollment amateurism violation/preferential treatment". Here's what the release said:
Jones III had no knowledge of three, 15-day loans between his mother and AAU coach that were provided while Jones III was in high school. The loans were repaid in a timely manner, according to interviews conducted by Baylor officials and the NCAA staff. Prior to his enrollment at Baylor, Jones' AAU coach also paid for Jones' travel to a professional pre-season football game in San Diego, Calif.
Baylor has been cooperative throughout and continue to support Jones III as their appeal is heard.
"Perry is to be commended for being cooperative and forthcoming during this unfortunate process," Baylor AD Ian McCaw said.
Appeal or not, Jones III won't be playing when Baylor needs him the most and that's at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday night.