An official Sports Information Department statement read that “West Virginia University Basketball Forward Esa Ahmad did not meet NCAA eligibility requirements and is not eligible for game competition for the first half of the 2017-18 regular season.
Ahmad, a junior from Cleveland, played in 34 games in 2016-17, averaging 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.”
The loss is significant for the Mountaineers, who were already without four-star forward Derek Culver, who was academically ineligible and enrolled at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. Ahmad excelled offensively inside and out and much of the offense ran through the swingman at times.
The loss leaves WVU with forwards Teddy Allen, Magic Bender, Logan Routt, Wesley Harris, D’Angelo Hunter, Lamont West and Sags Konate.
None have the experience of Ahmad, who will now miss most of one of the most competitive nonconference slates in program history, including games against Texas A&M, Virginia and Pitt.
- WVU's Esa Ahmad suspended for half-season, could return Jan. 9West Virginia MetroNews
- Esa Ahmad ineligible for first half of WVU men's basketball seasonCharleston Gazette-Mail (subscription)
- WVU Basketball forward Esa Ahmed ruled ineligible for the first half of the ...The Smoking Musket (blog)
- WVU forward suspended for half the seasonwajr
- Esa Ahmad ineligible for half of WVU seasonWest Virginia Illustrated
- West Virginia's Ahmad ineligible for first half of seasonNew York Daily News
- Forward Esa Ahmad to miss first half of 2017-2018 seasonSpringfield News Sun
