2 Kansas freshmen cleared to join team

Published: Friday, Sept. 5, 2008 12:19 a.m. MDT
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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Twin freshmen Markieff and Marcus Morris have been cleared by the NCAA Eligibility Center to enroll in classes at Kansas and join the defending NCAA champion Jayhawks.

Classes at Kansas began Aug. 21. With the certification of their academic eligibility, the two 18-year-old recruits from Philadelphia were preparing to enroll and begin classes Friday.

Jayhawks coach Bill Self said the school had been confident that the twins had successfully completed their required courses, "but we respect the fact that we had to go through this process."

"While it may have taken a bit longer than we had hoped, the important thing is that the process worked," Self said. "We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved; the main issue now is for them to begin their academic career at KU."

The twins didn't make the exhibition trip to Canada over the Labor Day weekend. Kansas went 3-0 on the trip.

"We've been waiting for this day for a long time, and we're excited that it is finally here," the twins said in a statement released by the university. "We're looking forward to getting to class and to begin playing with our teammates. We want to thank everyone involved who helped us reach this point."

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Markieff Morris faces a battery charge after allegedly firing an Airsoft BB gun from his dorm window. A lawyer entered a not guilty plea for him, and he has been ordered to appear Dec. 12 in Lawrence Municipal Court.

The Jayhawks will begin practicing for the upcoming NCAA season on Oct. 17.

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