West enrolled at Tennessee, could be eligible next season

UT freshman point guard Daniel West, who was ruled academically ineligible during the fall semester, is enrolled at UT, according to a source in the athletic department.

Under NCAA rules, West could be eligible to play for the Vols next season should he finish the spring semester in good academic standing. West paid for his schooling the fall semester and is paying for the spring semester.

West's eligibility issue came about as a result of his standardized test score, when the testing agency flagged his score and required a re-take. West, who attended UT last summer and fall, did not score high enough when re-taking the test to validate his qualifying score.

West went through individual workouts last fall and was competing for the starting point guard position with junior college transfer Bobby Maze when the issue arose.

The Vols have struggled with their defense at point guard as of late, and could have used West this season. West led Saginaw (Mich.) High School to two consecutive state titles and appeared to be one of UT's best defenders in individual workouts last fall.

West has been placed off limits by the UT athletic department and has not been allowed to comment to the media. Coach Bruce Pearl said West would be made available to the media when it was appropriate.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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