NCAA says Zags' Ballo must sit out this season

SPOKANE — Gonzaga freshman big man Oumar Ballo has been declared an academic redshirt by the NCAA for the 2019-20 season, according to a news release from Gonzaga.

Ballo, a 6-foot-10, 260-pound center from Koulikoro, Mali, is unable to participate in athletic competition this season, but will continue to receive an athletic scholarship and practice with the team. He will have four years of eligibility beginning in fall 2020.

“Oumar is an intelligent young man and a tremendous student,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said in the release. “International academic eligibility can be complicated. He will be a significant asset to our program. This is an opportunity for him to become a highly successful student-athlete.”

At the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, Ballo led Mali to a second-place finish. Mali lost to the U.S. in the tournament championship game, as Ballo totaled 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.