NCAA clears Indiana freshman to play basketball

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) Indiana freshman Bawa Muniru has been cleared by the NCAA to play college basketball this season.

The Hoosiers had been waiting for the NCAA's eligibility center to make its ruling on Muniru, a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center from Tumu, Ghana. Muniru played high school ball the last two seasons in the U.S. The decision takes immediate effect.

Coach Tom Crean said he understood it would take the NCAA time to do a thorough review and appreciated the work done both by the eligibility center and compliance officials at Indiana.

The Hoosiers host St. Joseph's in their final exhibition Monday night, then open the season at home against Howard on Nov. 13.

Updated November 5, 2009