Report on De Ridder inaccurate, still awaiting NCAA approval

By Jerry Ratcliffe

A report out of Europe concerning Virginia basketball recruiting target Thijs De Ridder’s eligibility is incorrect, according to Nick Kalinowski, an NBA Draft and NCAA basketball analyst.

The report claimed that the NCAA had denied De Ridder’s eligibility, and that the 6-foot-8 big man would remain in Europe and play for Paris Basketball.

Not true, reported Kalinowski on Tuesday night.

Kalinowski wrote:

“Update: sources with knowledge of the situation have refuted [previous] this report. The NCAA has made no such ruling on De Ridder’s eligibility at this moment and the plan remains for him to consider the college route this fall.

“As of right now, no firm decision has been made.”

Kalinowski said that he’s normally not a breaking-news reporter, but the source was very adamant that this report be cleared up.

De Ridder is a 6-8, 216-pound power forward from Belgium, a projected second-round NBA Draft choice who wants to give college basketball a try. Reports out of Spain a month ago claimed that De Ridder was likely leaving Bilboa for Virginia to play for new UVA coach Ryan Odom.

De Ridder is a 22-year-old standout who entered last year’s NBA Draft to receive feedback on his game and worked out for the Indiana Pacers.