St. John’s could have one of the most imposing front lines in college basketball next season now that the NCAA has granted 6-foot-9 forward Orlando Sanchez a year of eligibility.
Sanchez, 24, and St, John’s have fought a season-long battle with the NCAA, which refused on three occasions to waive its bylaw regarding eligibility for players 21 years of age or older.
But this week St. John’s retained high-powered attorney Robert Orr of the Poyner Spruill law firm, which presented reframed arguments in the form of documentation. The NCAA heeded those arguments and waived the bylaw, giving Sanchez one year of eligibility that he will use next season.
“It’s big news,’’ Sanchez said in a statement released by St. John’s. “I can play next year. I’m so happy. I’m going to call my grandma right now and tell her the great news. I’m going to tell them ‘I’m free. I can play.’ ’’
Sanchez could team with 6-9 Chris Obekpa, who already has set a single-season record for blocked shots, and 6-8 JaKarr Sampson, who likely will win Big East Rookie of the Year honors.
The Johnnies (16-11, 8-7), are an NCAA Tournament bubble team. But one significant flaw has been rebounding. They have been out rebounded by 3.4 boards a game.
Sanchez averaged 11.5 and 8.5 rebounds in subsequent seasons at Monroe College, which he helped lead to the Division II Final Four.
The NCAA had denied Sanchez eligibility under bylaw 14.2.3.1 which states a player 21 or over loses a year of eligibility for every season of organized competition. Sanchez played two years at Monroe, eight games with a Dominican club team and three minutes and 38 seconds for the Dominican National team.
The NCAA had deemed the 3:38 counted as a year of eligibility. It also was not convinced Sanchez did not move to Spain when he was 17 of his own accord and did not return to the Dominican Republic in a timely fashion — four years — to return to high school. Orr attacked those points.
“We nailed it,’’ he told The Post.
The NCAA staff, which twice denied the waiver request (an NCAA subcommittee denied a third appeal), was swayed by the new presentation submitted by Orr.
“In reaching its decision, the staff noted that both the student-athlete’s personal circumstances and his minimal amount of competition with the Dominican Republic National Team warranted relief from the rule,’’ the NCAA said in a statement.
“Specifically, the staff pointed to new documentation presented by the institution supporting the assertion that the student-athlete was unable to enroll in high school in Spain and continue his education at that time.’’
