Elite Kentucky Recruit Attracts N.C.A.A. Inquiry
By PETE THAMEL
Published: May 8, 2012
EVERETT, Mass. ? The N.C.A.A. sent two members of its enforcement staff to Massachusetts this week to inquire about Nerlens Noel, who is the country?s top basketball recruit and has committed to play at Kentucky.
Cindi Merrill and Frank Smith, assistant directors of enforcement with the N.C.A.A., went to Everett High School on Tuesday to meet with school officials about the 6-foot-10 Noel, who spent his freshman and sophomore years there. Merrill and Smith specialize in basketball-related issues.
The Everett High School principal, Louis Baldi, said the meeting lasted an hour and 15 minutes and centered on ?concerns we had as adults? for Noel. He said the conversation was similar to one he had with a reporter in February about Noel?s background and the people surrounding him.
?I didn?t get any sense,? Baldi said when asked about the conversation?s tone. ?It was a conversation, very collegial. That was really it. They didn?t ask me any investigative-type questions.?
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