Pearl: Top Auburn recruit not yet declared eligible by NCAA
- Nov. 23, 2020 08:38 PM EST
FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2020, file photo, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl talks to players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Pearl has another rebuilding job of sorts at Auburn, but this time he starts out with a better foundation and assemblage of talent. The Tigers must replace virtually all their key players, including possible NBA lottery pick Isaac Okoro, after the best three-year run in program history. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2020, file photo, Auburn coach Bruce Pearl talks to players during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark. Pearl has another rebuilding job of sorts at Auburn, but this time he starts out with a better foundation and assemblage of talent. The Tigers must replace virtually all their key players, including possible NBA lottery pick Isaac Okoro, after the best three-year run in program history. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn's top recruit, point guard Sharife Cooper, hasn't been cleared to play by the NCAA.

Tigers coach Bruce Pearl said Monday on Auburn's weekly radio show that the NCAA is still conducting Cooper's initial eligibility review but didn't give details.

“We are hopeful for a resolution as soon as possible,” Pearl said. “But really there's not much more I can comment.”

Auburn is scheduled to open the season Thursday against Saint Joseph's in Fort Myers, Florida. The Tigers play preseason No. 1 Gonzaga on Friday morning in the Fort Myers Tip-off.

Cooper was a five-star recruit expected to start immediately for the Tigers and be one of their best players. He was rated the nation's No. 19 overall recruit by 247Sports.

Auburn announced on Sunday that it would self-impose a postseason ban this season, stemming from the 2017 bribery investigation into former assistant coach Chuck Person.

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