NCAA reverses course, will allow Army veteran to play college hoops

Oakland University basketball player and former soldier Isaiah Brock was cleared by the NCAA initial eligibility committee to play for the Golden Grizzlies this year, the university announced Monday.

Brock, a four-year Army veteran, had appealed the NCAA's initial decision to make him sit out this year because of his below-qualifying grades when he graduated from a Baltimore high school in 2011.

A Detroit Free Press story made national headlines when Brock's initial eligibility at the Michigan school was rejected.

"We're appreciative of the NCAA initially awarding Isaiah with the ability to receive athletics financial assistance in addition to eligibility for practice," said OU athletic director Jeff Konya in a news release. "And we are even more thankful that the reconsideration has resulted in this decision for Isaiah."

"I just want to thank the NCAA for giving me the opportunity to play this year, and I also want to thank all of my teammates, family and friends for all of their support through this process," Brock said in the release. "I'm very grateful, and I won't let this opportunity go to waste!"

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