By JOSH NEWMAN
Kansas opened its Big 12 Tournament run Thursday afternoon in Kansas City against TCU, but it did so with no resolution on the status of Cliff Alexander.
Furthermore, it may be a while before the Jayhawks’ freshman big man sees the floor again as the NCAA investigates whether or not he received impermissable benefits.
On Thursday, Alexander’s attorney, Paul K. Stafford, said in a statement that his client has turned over his telephone records, text message records and bank statements but that the NCAA has refused to interview him, instead requesting more information.
“Mr. Alexander has been ready, willing and able to be interviewed since March 2, yet he has been informed that the NCAA will not interview him until they receive additional documents that are not his documents, the content of which he has no knowledge, and documents which have never been in his control or possession,” the statement read in part.
Thursday marked the fourth straight game Alexander has missed. The Jayhawks (24-7) are currently projected as the East Region’s No. 2 according to the latest version of Bracketology from ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.
A five star freshman out of Chicago Public League power Curie High School, Alexander was part of a 2014 Kansas recruiting class ranked third nationally. It included five-star shooting guards Kelly Oubre and Ukranian Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk
Alexander, who was once rated as a Lottery pick this June, is slotted at No. 3o overall in the latest 2015 NBA Mock Draft from DraftExpress.com. He is averaging 7.1 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.
Photo: USA Today Sports
