Longwood redshirt senior point guard Quincy Taylor has been deemed ineligible by the NCAA for the first three games of the Lancers 2014-15 season. In a press release, Longwood Athletics said the NCAA-sanctioned ineligibility is due to Taylor’s participation in an organized basketball league not sanctioned by the NCAA.
Taylor, who was voted a team captain for the upcoming season, was a part of three games in a local recreational league during the 2013-14 academic year, which violates NCAA policy regarding student-athlete participation in organized outside competition. Taylor, a transfer from the University of Alabama-Birmingham who was a part of Longwood Head Coach Jayson Gee’s first recruiting class, sat out the 2013-14 season because of NCAA transfer rules.
Gee commented on the NCAA ruling, "As a department, we make a tremendous effort to educate our players on the numerous NCAA compliance regulations, but this was a case where Quincy's interpretation of the rule did not mesh with that of the NCAA.”
Longwood Director of Athletics Troy Austin talked about the NCAA's decision, "Quincy gained no advantage and received no benefits from his participation in the league, but our athletics department respects and adheres to NCAA standards.” He added, "We are in the process of appealing the ruling through the NCAA's established channels and hope to see a resolution soon."
In Longwood’s season-opening exhibition against Hampden-Sydney College, Taylor scored 22 points, shooting 9-11 from the floor adding six assists. Gee commented on the loss of Taylor, “Quincy is an exemplary model not only of our basketball program, but also this university, and we look forward to getting him back on the court soon.”
Taylor’s three games of ineligibility include Longwood’s home opener against division-three Averett University, an away matchup with in-state opponent James Madison University, and a road test against UNC Greensboro of the Southern Conference.
According to the Longwood men’s basketball official schedule, Taylor would be eligible to return Nov. 22 when the Lancers take on Youngstown State University of the Horizon League.
Taylor is the fourth Lancer who has been forced to sit out at some point this season. Junior Shaquille Johnson sat out during pre-season practice due to his then ongoing trial for malicious wounding. Teammate Victor Dorsey is currently suspended due to a violation of team rules, while Longwood Athletics announced just last week junior Jason Pimentel was suspended indefinitely after being arrested for sexual battery.
The Rotunda will update the story with future developments, including any results from the appeal of the sanction by Longwood Athletics.
The Lancers start their 2014-15 campaign Friday, Nov. 14, in a home game against Averett University.
