Recruit ruled ineligible

Karen C. Tully Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior guard Miles Simon holds up the Championship plaque during the welcome home celebration last spring. The Wildcats will receive their Championship rings at halftime of the October 4 Arizona home football game against San Diego State.

Arizona assistant coach Jim Rosborough said he was unable to comment on the situation because, under NCAA rules, Broom is eligible to be recruited by other schools. He did say, however, that the Wildcats would not look to fill the vacant scholarship with another athlete.

Broom, at 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds, was to be the bulk that Arizona lacked last season. He missed most of his senior season at Westwood with a knee injury but had been cleared to play in the fall.

Another night to salute champions

Roughly six months after the celebration began, the hoopla surrounding the men's basketball championship will get another jump start.

The 1997 NCAA National Champions will receive their rings in a special ceremony at halftime of the Oct. 4 football game against San Diego State.

Outgoing associate athletics director Butch Henry said holding the ceremony at Arizona Stadium rather than a McKale Center home game will give a chance for more fans to experience the excitement.

"At a basketball game we were limited to 14,600 people," Henry said. "And while it would enhance the crowd, up to 58,000 could see it at a football game."

The second phase of the national championship ceremony may take place at the UA-UCLA game at McKale Center on Jan. 3.

There are plans to unveil the national championship banner at the game although according to Brett Hansen of the UA's sports information office, no plans are yet set in stone. Henry said that the official schedule for the 1997-98 season is in the "final throws" and should be released sometime soon.

Should the banner unveiling occur against UCLA, the NCAA has ruled that all the Bruins will be in attendance.

UCLA freshmen cleared in new-vehicle probe

The eligibility of UCLA freshman basketball players Schea Cotton and Baron Davis will not be affected by their purchase of Ford Explorers, according to the NCAA enforcement director.

Richard Hilliard said Friday the NCAA is satisfied with documentation provided by Cotton and Davis regarding the Explorers they bought at the same dealership in Orange County, Calif. But Hilliard did not say the investigation is closed.

"The door is still open, as it is in all cases," he said. "If a week from now we hear that so-and-so got this or that, we'll have to look at the issues. But based on the information provided to date, it does not appear the purchase of the vehicles will affect their enrollment or their eligibility at UCLA."

Documents provided by Cotton's parents and Lisa Hodoh, Davis' older sister, regarding the cars have been reviewed to the NCAA's satisfaction, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

The data did not indicate that the trucks were provided as an inducement for the prep stars to attend UCLA, or that Cotton and Davis had violated rules regarding amateurism, the newspaper said.

Investigators still would like to speak with Pat Barrett, a longtime Southern California youth league coach, and an associate of his who works in the car buying business.

Hilliard said his office had informed UCLA officials of the investigation's findings Friday.

"It is our understanding that the NCAA will no longer pursue the issue," UCLA sports information director Marc Dellins said.

The Cottons said in their minds, the issue was over.

"Thank the Lord this is over," said Gaynell Cotton, the player's mother. "This weight has finally been lifted off my child. I finally feel good again."

The Cottons said during the inquiry they produced documentation, including canceled checks, proving that they are paying for the 1997 Ford Explorer their son is driving on a lease.

Wildcats dominate 1998 draft prediction list

The Wildcats and Kansas Jayhawks dominate the latest 1998 draft predictions from ESPNET draft analyst Dick Leventhal. Leventhal included underclassmen likely to leave early and has put Mike Bibby and Miles Simon at the No. 5 and No. 6 spots - both lottery selections - respectively.

Raef Lafrentz is listed as the top draft pick with teammate Paul Pierce following at the second pick. Arizona forward Michael Dickerson is listed 44th.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.