LOUISVILLE, Ky. (June 30, 2009)--The NCAA has informed Bellarmine University that it has approved a request for waiver and awarded men's basketball player Oladapo Fagbenle another year of eligibility. The 6-9 center from London, England transferred to Bellarmine last year after playing at Campbell University.
Fagbenle spent four years at Campbell, but competed only two years. He red-shirted one year and an injury prevented him from competing another year.
Fagbenle was eligible for the waiver under NCAA Division II bylaw 30.6.1.2, which states "For a student-athlete who does not use a season of competiton during his or her initial year of full-time collegiate enrollment at any institution, a waiver may be granted".
"I'm very excited to be back with the team," said a jubilant Fagbenle who was notified by phone of the NCAA's decision while he was home in his native London. "I'm looking forward to reuniting with my teammates and finishing my master's."
"Everybody associated with Bellarmine is delighted with the NCAA's decision," said Bellarmine Men's Head Basketball Coach Scott Davenport. "'Dapo' gets the opportunity to complete his master's degree, and with his experience, he is a tremendous asset to the basketball team both on the floor and in the locker room."
Last season, Fagbenle started 31 games, logging an average of 18.1 minutes per game while scoring 4.6 points and pulling down 4.0 rebounds a contest. He also was the team leader in blocked shots with 25.
With Fagbenle's return, the Knights get back nearly everyone from last year's squad that went 26-7 and set a school record for most wins in a season. The only players not returning are Chartrael Hall and Tim Dearlove, who both graduated in May, and walk-on Kevin Cain, who elected to transfer in hopes of getting more playing time. Last year Dearlove was limited to just seven appearances due to multiple injuries, but Hall was a first team all conference and all region performer from his point guard position.
An important addition for the 2009-10 Bellarmine men's basketball team is 6-3 guard Chris Dowe, who was an All-Stater for Eastern High School in Louisville. The Knights also expect to get Steve Pogue healthy for 2009-10. The 6-5 guard/forward from Cincinnati, Ohio missed 20 games last year due to injury.
Other returnees include2009 GLVC Freshman of the Year Braydon Hobbs along with Justin Benedetti, Nick Holmes, Luke Sprague, Andrew Patterson, Kevin Allen, Forrest Smallwood, Mark Veith, Doug Davenport, and Andrew Parks.
