Villanova freshman Omari Spellman is cleared to practice with the defending national champions but cannot yet compete in games, Jay Wright said on Monday.
The coach said the issue has to do with Spellman's high school career, specifically "when his ninth grade year started.'' Per the NCAA, Spellman has been cleared academically to enroll at school, is OK to compete with the Wildcats and even on Monday participated in a summer scrimmage prior to Villanova's 10-day trip Spain. He cannot, however, take part in competitive games and therefore will not play on the team's visit to Barcelona and Madrid.