Post Player Neville Fincher Ineligible To Play For K-State

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

If Bruce Weber’s first year as K-State’s basketball coach was a year to remember, his first offseason has been anything but. Faced with three transfers (including star point guard Angel Rodriguez) and a recruiting class that appeared manageable but had nothing truly spectacular. At least there was one big man coming in to help replace the graduating Jordan Henriquez and transferring Adrian Diaz in 6’10” Neville Fincher… until now. It appears as though the three star recruit from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia will not be available next year due to eligibility issues.

Fincher averaged 12 points and eight rebounds for Hargrave, but will not meet academic standards necessary to attend K-State and will likely enroll in a community college this fall. That leaves the team with four incoming freshman – three of whom are guards. There is 6’7″ wing Wesley Iwundu, but Fincher’s absence still leaves a big gap in the anticipated line-up. Rivals.com announced earlier this week that Weber made a scholarship offer to 6’11” Nkosi Ali earlier this week, probably anticipating the Fincher news.

Fincher was the #26 center prospect according to ESPN, and it will be difficult for Ali to make up for that should he choose K-State. However, he has playing experience at a higher level at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College. He has received interest from BCS schools from all over the country, with offers from Minnesota, Murray State, and Pitt, among others. Ali started 25 of 30 games for A&M, averaging 10.6 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the field.