by Bill DiFilippo / @bflip33
Bad news for the Virginia Tech basketball program, as Malik Muller, a 19-year-old guard from Germany who was expected to compete for the team’s starting job, was ruled academically ineligible.
Muller is an incoming freshman for the Hokies who held offers from Rhode Island and Utah. The German international was in the mix to replace Erick Green, the nation’s leading scorer last season, as the team’s point guard. Green was drafted by the Denver Nuggets, but is currently playing in Italy.
From the Washington Post:
“I am extremely disappointed for Malik, “ [head coach James] Johnson said in a school-issued statement. “This young man has worked very hard this summer both in workouts and in the classroom. I know that Malik will use this year to improve as a better basketball player and will continue his strong work in his academics. He will help this team in practice and from the sidelines.”
Virginia Tech finished last in the ACC last season, going 13-19 (4-14 in ACC play) in its first year under Johnson.
