October 22, 2009

David Fox

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - SEC officials Thursday declined to comment on a report that Kentucky freshman guard John Wall is facing eligibility issues.

"We are not able to confirm it," SEC associate commissioner Charles Bloom said. "What's out there is out there."

ESPN.com reported that SEC commissioner Mike Slive said Wall's eligibility has been an issue for months. ESPN.com's report said his eligibility is being investigated because his former AAU coach is a former agent.

Slive was at SEC basketball media day in Birmingham earlier in the day, but had left by the time ESPN released the report.

Meanwhile, Slive also said Mississippi State freshman forward Renardo Sidney's eligibility is being questioned. Sidney's amateurism has been in question since before he signed with the Bulldogs.

The NCAA reportedly is investigating how the Sidney family paid for housing in Los Angeles after moving from Jackson, Miss.

Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury told media members in Birmingham that while Sidney was practicing with the team, the Bulldogs are preparing as if Sidney won't play this season.

David Fox is a national writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dfox@rivals.com.