Valdes will redshirt
Well, the harrowing eligibility tale of Aaron Valdes seems to have met some resolution. UH coach Gib Arnold said after practice on Thursday that the freshman wing will redshirt this season, regardless of any possible last-second 180 by the NCAA on his eligibility for the 2012-13 season.
The hope for UH is, after staying in the academic system for a full year, he will be eligible next season without having expended a year of eligibility.
This all might sound disappointing for UH fans, but keep in mind Valdes was a strong redshirt candidate regardless of the NCAA’s call; this just means he still likely will be unable to practice with the team in the meantime.
The fact that he put on a pretty entertaining show in the Ohana Hoopfest dunk contest (a runner-up finish to Garrett Jefferson) probably makes it a little tougher to swallow.
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The season-opening exhibition vs. Hawaii Pacific is nearly upon us, raising the question of who else might be redshirting. Arnold has said anywhere between two and four players may sit out games this year.
However, standard redshirt candidates can play in exhibition games safely without worrying about their redshirt status. Besides Valdes, the most logical candidate at this point for a redshirt is freshman center Caleb Dressler, who’s been a scout teamer in the preseason.
It’s not a done deal, but should Dressler redshirt, it makes sense. He’s playing behind a pretty stacked frontcourt of Vander Joaquim, Christian Standhardinger, Isaac Fotu and Davis Rozitis. Any chance that he doesn’t redshirt probably hinges on how much time Joaquim will miss in the early portion of the nonconference schedule. As it is, the Angolan is probably out for the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. Any more than that, and Dressler’s chances of getting in a game go up.
Brian,
Am I reading your post correctly? Valdez to red-shirt but can not practice with the team?? I’m confused as to why that is.
Thanks.
Not a problem. Yes, the plan is to redshirt him academically so his freshman year isn’t burned. At the same time, the NCAA hasn’t cleared him as a member of the team so he’ll have to continue to sit out practices as well as games.
It’s a confusing and strange situation, I’ll admit.
I hope Vander gets well soon and stays healthy. The hopes of a successful season starts and ends with him.
Brian,
that’s another great read you got right there. I would guess/assume rs’ing academically means just that. Cause once you start college/university your athletic eligibility time clock starts running even if not playing sports.
Can Valdes do things on his own — lift weights? Hoops at Paki or Crane?
Might sound like dumb questions, a Grease’ll admit . . . but, uh, w/the Secret Poli . . . er . . . The Imperial Empi . . . no, that’s not it either, er, a Grease means, how the NCAA is in recent times, you simply gotta confirm, heh.
Valdes might be in a good position; a bit of culture of rebuilding going on lower campus nowadays. Of course, a Grease not complaining.
A wahine basketball/softball question. Just wondering if Stephanie will go on the road with the basketball team or will she play in the alumnae game this Friday.
Ricketts will be going on the Wahine basketball road trip.