It seems as if the NCAA has a mind-set of guilty-before-innocent when it comes to player investigations.
That’s the only way to explain the collegiate athletics governing body’s track record with investigations and what is currently happening with UCLA men’s basketball freshmen Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson. The two prize recruits cannot play while the NCAA continues to investigate allegations of impropriety around the pair.
Even though all the NCAA has at this point are allegations, both are considered ineligible to play ““ simply because of charges that they violated their amateur status by receiving improper monetary benefits ““ and will be sidelined if the NCAA doesn’t have a ruling come UCLA’s Nov. 9 season opener.
We understand that the NCAA is an independent body and doesn’t have to be fully transparent in its process, but this board wonders why investigations can’t be expedited so they are resolved in a timely fashion.
After all, the investigation of Muhammad began all the way back in February when teams recruiting Muhammad were notified that an investigation was underway. UCLA coach Ben Howland pressed on, landing the player he hoped for as a part of a banner four-man recruiting class meant to reverse his team’s recent misfortunes.
The investigation involves a connection between Muhammad’s family and a pair of financial advisers who provided money to Muhammad, according to a CBSSports.com report from February. The Los Angeles Times reported on Oct. 21 that Muhammad’s parents have yet to be interviewed for the NCAA probe.
If a familial connection is questioned, why aren’t the family members the first people asked about it?
Anderson is reportedly being investigated for his family’s ties to an NBA agent, but his situation differs slightly. He arrived on campus this summer and appeared to be cleared to play by the NCAA, but was later put in the same limbo Muhammad is in.
With less than two weeks until the start of the season, no one is willing to take any guesses as to whether the talented freshman duo will be eligible to play. But the NCAA’s history shows that investigations into top players have no timetables and some last well into the season.
For an organization that stresses the accountability of players and coaches, the NCAA itself has never been accountable in its handling of investigations. This process is unfair to the young student-athletes and a change of policies is in order.
The NCAA should let these players start the season without future penalty and immediately remove them if an investigation culminates in a critical finding.
After all, Muhammad and Anderson are teenagers who have committed no crime and are simply focused on their future, just like other students who recently arrived in Westwood.
Without that sort of a concession, this trend of holding athletes hostage will only continue.
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board.