RIP: Enes Kanter's UK Basketball Career

Enes Kanter (UK April 2010- January 2011).

It's finally final. The process has gone through two appeals, two decisions, and month after month after month. But Enes Kanter was officially not freed by the NCAA today.

The appeals committee, which has the final say, declared Kanter permanently ineligible. Kentucky had refiled after the Cam Newton case, but UK AD Mitch Barnhardt was

"informed by the NCAA that the flexible decisions made by the NCAA staff in other high-profile cases could not be used in case precedent and were not binding on the NCAA going forward...The University of Kentucky was very hopeful that our student-athlete might receive the same type of consideration afforded to these other athletes but that did not happen."

Kanter is no longer allowed to practice, play, travel, or participate with the basketball team. He can still receive financial aid to participate in school - but as Head Coach John Calipari put it:

"The silver lining is that Enes will always be part of this team. My job will be to prepare him for his entry into the NBA draft, which this decision by the [NCAA] will likely necessitate. Enes will always be a part of our family and I plan to be by his side in the green room whenever he is drafted."

The Cats have said however that Kanter will remain as an undergraduate assistant coach. He will be allowed to work with the team in a limited capacity. His role will be similar to Wayne Turner's when he was in the spot. He will assist pre- during and post- practice and is likely to work primarily with the big men.

We miss you already Enes's UK career... and we miss you Free Enes