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According to a report from Kevin McNamara in the Providence Journal, five-star Providence signee Ricardo Ledo has been ruled ineligible to play for the 2012-2013 college basketball season. McNamara writes:
White smoke has arisen from the NCAA's headquarters in Indiana and it's mixed news for Ricky Ledo and Providence College basketball fans.
The NCAA's ruling allows Ledo to be on scholarship and practice with the Friars but not play in games in his freshman season. Ledo began classes at PC this week and all indications are he'll remain at the school under the no-games restriction and play for the Friars in 2013-14.
The NCAA cannot comment on eligibility rulings. Providence College coach Ed Cooley said Ledo "is in good spirits. He's appreciative of being here but he knows he has work to do. This is a great opportunity for Ricky."
The ruling was not unexpected as many who recruited Ledo thought it would be difficult for him to qualify to play immediately. Providence signed two of the nation's highest rated players in Ledo and guard Kris Dunn. Ledo is now ineligible to play and Dunn has a lingering shoulder injury that could sideline him for much of the upcoming season as well.
New head coach Ed Cooley will still likely have a better team than he had last year, but that huge recruiting class will likely have to wait a year to make its impact, if it ever takes the court for Providence at all as speculation will turn to whether Ledo will redshirt and play in 2013-2014, or go play in either the NBA D-league or perhaps overseas.