Pelphrey comments on Fortson’s eligibility

Freshman point guard Courtney Fortson will participate with the Hogs’ basketball team this season. The Montgomery, Ala., native was recently ruled eligible by the NCAA Eligibility Center, according to an e-mail sent by the UA media relations department.

Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey is still awaiting word on the NCAA’s academic clearance of forward Jason Henry, however. The UA starts classes Aug. 25.

Here’s a statement from Pelphrey through UA media relations:

“We are very excited about Courtney as a student-athlete. This is great news, but we never really anticipated any problems. There was a process he had to go through. It took some time, but he and his family did all the right things. We are looking forward to having Courtney as a Razorback.”

Pelphrey said Aug. 7 that he didn’t anticipate problems with Fortson or Henry’s academic eligibility, going as far as to say that he felt “good about them” playing in the 2008-09 season.

Arkansas’ incoming freshman class was ranked the 11th best by ESPN.com.

The Razorbacks lost their lead scorer, Patrick Beverley, on Aug. 8. Beverley told FoxSports.com that he violated NCAA rules that, “went over the coaches’ heads. A lot of people thought it was because of grades, but I go to class every day.”

A report surfaced through FoxSports.com on Aug. 15 that Beverley had signed with BDA Sports and planned to go overseas to play professionally. But that isn’t the case… yet.

Here’s more from the Democrat-Gazette:

Kevin Bradbury, an agent for BDA who has spoken with Beverley’s mother concerning her son’s future plans, said no deal has been struck and that formal meetings haven’t taken place.

“It’s my understanding at this point Patrick and his mom are trying to decide what to do from a school standpoint, and then if not school, the agent process,” Bradbury said. “They’re going to bring in three firms, including ourselves, to meet with them this coming week or the week after.”

As soon as we hear something on Henry’s eligibility, we’ll let you know.

Filed under: Arkansas Basketball by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: August 19, 2008 at 3:29 pm