Nov. 8, 2010
NORMAL, Ill. -
Sophomore guard Candace Sykes has been granted an SLR waiver by the NCAA and will be able to compete for the Illinois State women's basketball team at the start of the 2010-11 season.
Sykes transferred to Illinois State from Alabama prior in January, just before the start of the Spring 2010 semester. Per NCAA transfer eligibility rules, Sykes was supposed to sit out one year, consisting of two academic semesters, before being eligible to play. Illinois State requested a waiver through the NCAA's Subcommittee for Legislative Relief (SLR) to allow Sykes to forgo the second semester and compete immediately. The NCAA granted the waiver Thursday and Sykes will be permitted to play for ISU once the season begins Nov. 12 at Illinois.
"Receiving the waiver from the NCAA allowing Candace to participate in games this semester is excellent news," said ISU head coach Stephanie Glance. "I know this is a relief for both Candace and her family! We look forward to having her eligible and able to participate in all contests starting with our opener at Illinois on Friday."
Had the waiver not been granted, Sykes would have had to sit out until the Redbirds compete in the Caribbean Challenge Dec. 21-22.
Sykes was a redshirt her first year at Alabama with a hip injury. She made her collegiate debut in the 2009-10 season-opener against Tennessee Tech, connecting on four three-pointers and leading the Crimson Tide with 16 points. She appeared in the first eight games of the season for Alabama, averaging 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 12.5 minutes per game.
