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Jeff Borzello
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ESPN Editor- Basketball recruiting insider.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Graduated from the University of Delaware.
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Mark Schlabach
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ESPN Senior Editor- Senior College Football Writer
- Author of seven college football books
- Graduated from the University of Georgia
Auburn star rookie Sharife Cooper has not been training for the Tigers in recent weeks pending the findings of an NCAA investigation into his eligibility, sources told ESPN.
Cooper’s representatives have contacted professional teams in Europe and Australia in case the NCAA does not allow him to play this season, sources told ESPN. A source said Cooper’s desire is to stay at Auburn this season, but that might not be a possibility if the NCAA doesn’t certify him to play.
Cooper, a 6-foot point guard from McEachern High School, Ga., Was a McDonald’s All American and a five-star rookie in the 2020 class. He was ranked No. 20 in the ESPN 100 and was expected to start immediately at the point guard at Auburn. this season.
Auburn announced on Sunday that he is self-imposed a post-season ban for this season due to the NCAA’s investigation into former assistant coach Chuck Person. The person was one of four assistant coaches arrested in September 2017 in connection with the FBI’s investigation into corruption in college basketball. He has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes to refer players to a financial advisor, and he has also been charged with helping facilitate thousands of dollars for families of two players.
“It was a difficult decision but the right decision,” coach Bruce Pearl said in a statement Sunday. “I hate it for our current players. They lost the playoff opportunity last year due to COVID, and now they will miss the playoffs again. That’s a two-year penalty for them. However, we have to take that penalty now to put it behind us. “
The Tigers open the season against Saint Joseph’s Thursday at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Fort Myers, Fla.
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