7-footer granted qualifier status with Rebels

In a way, the waiting game ended for 7-foot freshman Beas Hamga, who was granted qualifier status by the NCAA on Friday afternoon and joined UNLV’s basketball team for the season’s first official practice later in the evening at the Thomas & Mack Center.

But Hamga and the Rebels did not entirely get their way. He won’t be permitted to play in any games this season.

The NCAA questioned some of Hamga’s academic records from Cameroon and, in essence, reached a compromise with UNLV by allowing Hamga to receive a scholarship with the restriction that he must redshirt as a freshman.

"We’re excited about it," Rebels coach Lon Kruger said. "We would have preferred to have Beas playing right now, but given the time in mid-October and the alternative leaving Beas kind of hanging out there, at least he’s got a basketball family and he’s on scholarship and there are a lot of positives."

The NCAA Clearinghouse questioned whether Hamga’s ninth-grade schoolwork in Cameroon was equal to ninth-grade classes in the United States. By allowing Hamga to enroll as a full-time student at UNLV while practicing with the team, the NCAA is giving him the chance to prove he can meet college academic requirements.

Kruger said he is satisfied that Hamga can go to school and develop as a player as a freshman. He can’t compete in games until the 2008-09 season.

"Beas was kind of frustrated with the whole thing, but he’s pleased with the opportunity to get started," Kruger said.

Hamga, who turned 19 in July and was ranked as a top-50 prep prospect, attended high school at Decatur Christian (Ill.) last year. He spent the previous year at Cornerstone Christian in San Antonio.

While waiting for the NCAA to rule on his status, Hamga attended Findlay Prep in Henderson and practiced with the team.

"This decision definitely makes me happy," Hamga said. "It is really good news for me. I have been waiting, and now I can focus on just one thing, being part of the team and working hard in practice. I am looking forward to it, and next year I’ll be ready to play."