Florida State University said Friday that its final appeal of the reinstatement of men’s basketball freshman Baba Miller was denied by the NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. As a result of the denial and based on the initial terms of his reinstatement, Miller will be required to sit out 50 percent of FSU’s regular season games this season, FSU said in a release.
“Prior to his recruitment by Florida State, Miller received travel to and from a training camp from his native Spain to the United States. Upon learning of relevant NCAA rules, Miller and his family immediately repaid the benefits received,” the release said.
Miller, the No. 43 prospect in the country, per 247Sports Composite rankings, was a projected starter for the program this year. Last summer while playing with the Spanish U18 national team, Miller averaged 11.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals in 21 minutes, while shooting 58.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from three.
“I am very disappointed with the committee’s decision based on the facts presented,” FSU’s vice president and director of athletics Michael Alford said in a statement. “The decision seems disproportionate and inconsistent in today’s modern environment. It’s unfortunate that Baba will have to endure this penalty.”
The news comes less than a day after Miller put up 11 points and seven rebounds during FSU’s exhibition game against Newberry College, and is a significant blow to FSU’s frontline, as Brown transfer Jaylan Gainey is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.
(Photo: Irina R. Hipolito / Europa Press via Getty Images)
