Senegalese standout Gaston Diedhiou has been denied admission by the University of Minnesota because of inadequate marks on his English profiency exams, the Star Tribune reported Tuesday.
Diedhiou, a 6-foot-9 forward who played in the Canary Islands last season, had been granted full qualifier status by the NCAA Clearinghouse, per the publication, but did not get the necessary entrance exam score to be admitted, a source told ESPN.
Director of admissions Rachel Hernandez told the paper that English proficiency test scores are reviewed for every applicant.
Sources told the Star Tribune that Diedhiou's scores were the major concern, but that he could be admitted and become eligible to play for a portion of the 2014-15 season if he passes the proficiency exam prior to the start of the second semester.
Last year, Richard Pitino's squad won the NIT crown in his first season as coach. The Gophers boast a solid backcourt with returning players Deandre Mathieu and Andre Hollins. The only experienced post players coming back are 7-footer Elliott Eliason and 6-10 center Mo Walker.