Head coach Lute Olson was able to give a sigh of relief yesterday, when freshman guard Chris Rodgers was deemed eligible by the NCAA to play in the 2002-2003 men's basketball season.

The ruling ended a three-week waiting period and reinstated the 6-foot-3 native of Portland, Ore., to four years of eligibility.

"We're pleased with the NCAA's ruling," Olson said. "With Chris' initial eligibility approved, we can now move forward with preparations for the upcoming season."

Rodgers was unavailable for comment.

Rodgers had contemplated transferring to a junior college if he was not going to be reinstated by the NCAA committee that was overseeing his case.

Rodger's playing status was in question because he failed to meet requirements twice on college entrance exams.

Arizona filed a wavier request on his behalf to the NCAA on Aug. 26 citing that Rodgers had a severe case of "test anxiety".

"I'm pleased for the young man and the successful outcome. In this case, it's a win because the youngster is eligible," said Bill Morgan, an associate athletic director of compliance.

The UA usually files one to three eligibility cases per school year and usually wins the majority of the cases, Morgan said.

Rodgers averaged 26.6 points and 5.2 rebounds to earn Portland Interscholastic League Player of the Year Honors in his senior season at Woodrow Wilson High School.

Rodgers is expected to be factor this year in the Wildcat guard rotation, sharing time with incoming freshman Hassan Adams and returnees Jason Gardner, Salim Stoudamire and Will Bynum.