NCAA reviewing Michel’s status

The NCAA is reviewing the status of junior college transfer center Guy-Marc Michel, announced in a statement from IU coach Tom Crean prior to today’s game with Franklin College.

Michel participated in club basketball in France, where he finished high school and enrolled in some college courses. After two years of participating on an amateur team, he was called up in his third season for limited participation with a team that included professional players.

“Given the experiences of other international student athletes who have participated in European basketball systems, we anticipated some extended review of Guy’s status,” Crean said.

Michel is not eligible to play right now and will not be until he is cleared by the NCAA.

Here is the full statement from Crean:

The NCAA is reviewing the status of Guy-Marc Michel.

Prior to attending North Idaho Community College, Guy participated in club basketball in France, where he finished high school and enrolled in some college courses. In three years with the French club, Guy participated as a member of an amateur team. In his third year, he was 'called up' for limited participation with a team that included professional players.

Given the experience of other international student-athletes who have participated in European basketball systems, we anticipated some extended review of Guy's status.

We have great respect for the NCAA's process, particularly because we know they have a practice of reviewing each individual student-athlete's case on its own merit, with a focus on what's best for the student. We also appreciate the NCAA's increased understanding of the circumstances facing international student-athletes, which led to recent rule changes that permit immediate eligibility for entering freshman with the same competitive experiences as Guy.

With these factors in mind, we are hopeful for a positive resolution to Guy's case within the coming weeks. While he is not eligible to compete at this time, he will continue to improve in practice, and he'll continue doing very well in the classroom, until the process is complete. We will have no additional comments until the matter is resolved.

— Ryan Winn