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  • Minnesota State’s Assem Marei has been cleared to play basketball by the NCAA, but he won’t play in the final seven games because it would cost him a full season of eligibility. John Cross

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February 2, 2012

NCAA clears MSU's Marei to play but he won't

New Maverick to wait until next season to suit up

By Chad Courrier Free Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — Assem Marei would love to play tonight, but he knows that’s not a good idea.

The 6-foot-9 transfer from Egypt was cleared by the NCAA on Thursday, and he was granted three full seasons of eligibility. If he were to play in the final seven games, it would cost him a full season.

“It would be stupid to waste a whole year for seven games,” Marei said, shortly before attending Thursday’s practice. “It was a little disappointing at first. I really wanted to play this year, but it would not be for the best.”

Marei transferred to Minnesota State in early January. He previously played for the Egyptian U19 team, where he averaged 18.5 points and 12.2 rebounds in the FIBA World Championships last summer. He was living in Cairo, and he made a connection to Minnesota State through a former coach who is now on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ staff.

Minnesota State coach Matt Margenthaler has been trying to get Marei cleared for the last three weeks, and had this decision come earlier, perhaps Marei would have played this season.

“I left it up to him to play or not,” Margenthaler said. “He’d love to play, and we’d like him to play, but (waiting is) the smart thing to do. He has three full years here, and he wants to get his degree here.”

Marei said he’s getting more comfortable in the United States and at Minnesota State. He said he enjoys his new teammates and has adapted well socially and academically.

“Everything is good,” he said.

Margenthaler said that Marei is a big part of the program’s future and will be a centerpiece on next season’s team.

“He has great instincts in the post, great hands, great feet,” Margenthaler said. “He has a knack for scoring, and he’s relentless. He has a great future at Minnesota State.”

Marei said he plans to return to Cairo after the semester for a month, then will return to start preparing for next season.

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