NCAA rules Florida's Gak ineligible to play in 2016-17

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida center Gorjok Gak will not be eligible to play as a freshman next season. The Gators announced Tuesday that the NCAA cleared Gak

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Florida center Gorjok Gak will not be eligible to play as a freshman next season.

The Gators announced Tuesday that the NCAA cleared Gak for enrollment this fall but denied his ineligibility for the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-11, 205-pounder from Australia will be allowed to practice and take part in basketball-related activities, but not games.

He attended high school at Victory Rock Prep in Bradenton. If he meets progress marks, he will be cleared to play as a sophomore in 2017-18 and have three seasons of eligibility left.

Gak averaged 13.8 point and 9.3 rebounds last season at Victory Rock. He signed with the Gators in April after being released from a national letter of intent he signed with Oklahoma State last November. He requested his release after the Cowboys fired Travis Ford.