USC Transfer Stephenson Will Have To Wait Until Next Season To Play For The Trojans

Alex Stephenson transferred to USC from North Carolina because he wanted to be closer to home and help out with his ailing father. Stephenson and his family are from Los Angeles.

But the NCAA denied Stephenson a waiver that would have made him eligible to play for the Trojans this season because his request did not warrant relief for a transfer year-in-residence waiver.

In an email by NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn published in today’s Los Angeles Times, she said that there was, “a lack of contemporaneous medical documentation to indicate that the family members needed extra assistance.

“NCAA guidelines state that a member institution must provide documentation regarding any injury or illness of a student-athlete or family member and how those are directly related to the student-athlete’s transfer waiver request.”

Stephenson, a 6-foot-9 junior, who was a reserve player with the Tar Heels for two seasons will be eligible to play for the Trojans in 2009-10.

USC is in Puerto Rico today to face Seton Hall at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off tournament at 4 p.m. Pacific Time.

In the meantime, Stephenson and USC can appeal the decision.