By JOSH NEWMAN
St. John’s guard Felix Balamou has been deemed ineligible for game competition due to an NCAA violation. The University is seeking reinstatement and Balamou is permitted to practice with the team during this process.
“We understand Felix’s disappointment and we are here to support him,” St. John’s general counsel and interim athletic director Joseph Oliva, Esq. said in a school-released statement. “St. John’s will work in concert with the NCAA through the reinstatement process.”
Balamou has appeared in 54 games in his three seasons with the Red Storm. The Conakry, Guinea, native has career averages of 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds playing 9.1 minutes per game. In 2014-15, Balamou played in 22 games, including 12 Big East appearances, and made three starts. He averaged 1.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in conference play last season.
The Balamou suspension leaves the Red Storm with just two returning players at the moment, sophomore forward Amar Alibegovic and redshirt junior forward Christian Jones.
St. John’s opens the season Friday night against Wagner before taking on UMBC on Monday. Both games are at Carnesecca Arena.
