Fighting Illini Basketball
Starks to Sit Out 2013-14 Season
Hardship Waiver Denied by NCAA
CHAMPAIGN, ILL.– Fighting Illini senior guard Ahmad Starks (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young H.S.) will sit out the upcoming season after the NCAA Subcommittee for Legislative Relief denied a hardship waiver requested by the University of Illinois. Starks, who transferred from Oregon State after a three-year career with the Beavers, will have one year of eligibility remaining with the Illini in 2014-15.
“Following a lengthy process, we have received final word from the NCAA on Ahmad’s status. We are all disappointed with the decision to deny the waiver and especially feel bad for Ahmad and his family,” Illinois head coach John Groce said. “Ahmad had a compelling case, returning to his home state to be closer to an ailing grandmother who played an instrumental role in raising him. However, we now have to move forward. Ahmad will focus on preparing our team in practice while also making individual improvement, fueled by the goal of returning to the court in 2014-15.”