Mississippi State’s Renardo Sidney Must Sit Out, Repay $11K To Play

The NCAA found that the former five-star recruit from Jackson received improper benefits and preferential treatment in high school because of his talent and that he proceeded to provide misleading statements about those benefits.

This from the AP:

“Our members have made it crystal clear that student-athletes who receive impermissible benefits, either directly or indirectly, and who lie to the NCAA must be held accountable,” said Kevin Lennon, vice president for academic and membership affairs.

The 6-foot-10 freshman forward has been with Mississippi State all season, but has only been allowed to practice while the school and NCAA conducted an often contentious investigation.

The sanctions could have been a lot worse, as the NCAA was reportedly trying to nail Sidney on even more violations.

Sidney attorney Don Jackson said the NCAA failed to nail the player on major accusations that his family received free housing and a loan based on Sidney’s future earnings potential, so they accused him of lying to cover up wrongdoing. Jackson said the accusation hinges on Sidney’s memory lapses of a single trip he took as a ninth-grader five years ago.

The NCAA did not give specifics on the violations.

“It’s like charging someone with murder, then when you can’t convict them of murder, you turn around and convict them of speeding and charge them with perjury for saying they didn’t commit murder,” Jackson told The Associated Press.

Mississippi State plans to appeal the decisions.