There was no change in the eligibility status of Kansas sophomore forward Silvio De Sousa on Wednesday the day after the Jayhawks 73-63 loss to Texas in Austin, Texas.
Its beyond frustration, KU coach Bill Self said Wednesday night on his weekly Hawk Talk radio show. If we are frustrated, just think about how the kid is. Hes handled it beautifully. He comes in every day and asks whats new. He comes in happy and leaves out sad it seems like every day because we dont have any information to tell him.
Were still holding out hope that well have information for him, but certainly its been very disappointing we havent been told anything yet, Self added.
De Sousa has not played in a game during the 2018-19 season as he awaits a determination on his eligibility, currently in the hands of the NCAA.
Im sure in whoevers mind, theres good reason thats the case, trying to put everything (information on his case) together or whatnot. For the youngsters sake, its certainly been very frustrating, Self said of the wait.
The Jayhawks (16-5, 5-3), who have lost three of their last four games, obviously would love to hear word from the NCAA that De Sousa can play the rest of the season, starting with Saturdays 3 p.m. home game against Texas Tech.
The information is one phone call away from the NCAA. When that call will come or if the call will come is anybodys guess.
I do believe, speaking hypothetically, if it does happen it still is not going to happen overnight as far as impact, Self said, referring to De Sousa being able to produce big-time in games right away.
We have no indication its going to happen, though … although we still ask every day and are holding out hope, Self added.
De Sousa, a 6-foot-9 native of Angola, was declared ineligible by KU two weeks ago, according to sources. The university formally acknowledged to the NCAA that a violation took place involving De Sousa and submitted a request to the NCAA for reinstatement.
The NCAA has not yet ruled on possible reinstatement. Its been 13 days since De Sousas attorney issued a statement requesting De Sousa be cleared immediately.
I represent University of Kansas mens basketball student-athlete Silvio De Sousa, read the start of a statement written by Kansas City-based attorney Scott Tompsett. Silvio has cooperated fully and completely with the investigation of his NCAA eligibility, which has now caused him to miss over half of his sophomore season.
Silvio came to the United States from Angola at the age of 15, and he did everything he was supposed to do and was asked to do to become an eligible student-athlete at the University of Kansas. Silvio followed the rules. He did nothing wrong.
If adults did something illicit or against the rules, they did it without Silvios knowledge or involvement. Their actions and conduct can be dealt with through the courts and/or the NCAA major infractions process. Its time for the NCAA to be fair to Silvio and immediately reinstate his eligibility.
Adidas representative T.J. Gassnola said at a federal trial he provided $2,500 to De Sousas guardian, Fenny Falmagne, so De Sousa could enroll in an online course to assure his early graduation from IMG Academy in Florida and his eligibility at KU.
