Nebraska Basketball: The Tale of Roburt Sallie

Hardcore college basketball fans may recognize the name Roburt Sallie. 

He is a 6'5", 200 pound combo guard who has populated the recruiting scene since way back in 2005.  Sallie is a triple-double talent with NBA potential who has been recruited by some of the best programs in the country not once, not twice, but three separate times. 

Originally, Sallie signed with the University of Washington in 2005 after playing for Patterson Prep.  He did not qualify academically and opted to spend another year in prep school, this time at the Laurinburg Institute in North Carolina. 

Let me go on record here as being fully aware that many of these prep schools are little more than basketball factories.  Still, the NCAA recognizes them as legitimate academic institutions—albeit with a warranted amount of skepticism. 

Anyway, Sallie spurned the likes of Memphis, Maryland, Wake Forest, and Kansas to sign with Nebraska in 2006.  I am a Nebraskaf an, have been for many years, and Sallie was easily the most anticipated basketball recruit since Tyronn Lue.

One problem quickly arose: the NCAA Clearing House did not like Sallie's transcript.  Sure, Roburt had the grades and the test scores, but that was not enough.  The Clearing House wanted homework papers and copies of tests. 

Quick show of hands from those of you who kept any of that more than the amount of time it took you to walk out of the classroom when you were in college.  Anyone?  Bueller?

Well, the Clearing House, apparently overwhelmed, just could not seem to make a decision on Sallie.  Would he be eligible or not? 

Time ticked by and August turned into September.  For those you not aware, the University of Nebraska starts classes at the end of August.   Nebraska changed head coaches and staff in August as Barry Collier resigned and Doc Sadler came onboard.  Sallie stuck with the school.

Roburt came to Lincoln, hung out with his future teammates and waited for the NCAA to say yes or no.  On Monday, September 11, Sallie attended classes, still waiting for his eligibility. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?