USC Center Might Have His Suspension Reduced
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USC junior center Kostas Charissis may have his season-opening 15-game suspension reduced to a maximum of eight games if the NCAA adopts a recommendation made Tuesday by its management council.
Charissis, a native of Greece, violated NCAA amateurism rules prohibiting student-athletes from playing on the same team as professional players.
The sports’ governing body made a concerted effort this summer to check the playing backgrounds of international athletes.
Charissis was penalized for his experience--before he came to USC--as a reserve with the Papagou-Athens and Psihico club teams.
Penalties for such violations depend on the level of competition involved and range from suspending a player for a total of three games to benching them one intercollegiate game for each professional game played.
On Tuesday, the council recommended adopting a new policy, with a maximum penalty suspension of eight games.
The policy will be considered next week.
Charissis, a 6 foot 11, 250-pounder, has averaged 1.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 44 games at USC.
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