Loren Woods at Arizona
I don't mean to imply that this has anything to do with Loren
Woods in 2006, other than his 14 blocks in one game!! I just think it interesting to know some of the past history of Kings players.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2000/11/22/arizona_woods_ap/
Quote:< < Loren Woods will not be able to play until the Dec. 9 game against Connecticut. AP
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- The NCAA on Wednesday affirmed its six-game suspension of Arizona senior center Loren Woods for accepting money from a family friend last month.
Woods and school officials had appealed the NCAA decision, which came down Saturday as the top-ranked Wildcats were heading to Hawaii to open their season at the Maui Classic.
He will not be able to play for Arizona until Dec. 9 against Connecticut.
"I'm extremely disappointed at the inability of the NCAA to look at the welfare of the student-athlete in this case," Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood said. "This penalty just doesn't fit the specifics of Loren's situation."
The 7-foot-1 Woods set an NCAA record with 14 blocks against Oregon before missing the latter part of last season with a back injury that required two operations.
Woods, who grew up in St. Louis and transferred to Arizona from Wake Forest in 1998, reportedly has had a unidentified "mentor, adviser and family friend" who has given him financial support since high school.
Arizona officials said Woods' friend "provided Loren with meals, transportation and small amounts of money, sometimes in the form of a regular allowance" and "these ongoing financial contributions did not violate NCAA rules.
School officials said Woods "suffered a difficult spring and summer as a result of health and family issues" and "the family friend felt that providing additional money to Loren would be appropriate under the circumstances."
The friend reportedly gave Woods money twice in September that "were bigger than the permissible gifts," according to school officials who did not specify the amount.
The university learned of the larger contributions in early November and immediately notified the NCAA, seeking guidance regarding interpretation of rules relating to permissible gifts, school officials said.
Woods must repay the money given him by his friend last month as part of the NCAA sanction. >>