NCAA rules Jayhawks’ De Sousa ineligible

LAWRENCE, Kan.

The NCAA declared Kansas forward Silvio De Sousa ineligible for the rest of this season and next season late Friday, dealing a significant blow to a team that began the season with national title hopes.

De Sousa’s name surfaced last summer in an FBI probe into corruption in college basketball centered on officials linked to apparel company Adidas. The NCAA found that De Sousa’s guardian, Fenny Falmagne, had received a $2,500 payment from a “university booster and agent” and agreed to an additional $20,000 payment from the same individual and an Adidas employee for securing his commitment to Kansas.

The school, which has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the case, indicated in a statement late Friday that it would appeal the ruling. Falmagne has denied receiving any payments.

Staff/wire reports