Renardo Sidney declared ineligible by NCAA

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Former L.A. Fairfax basketball standout Renardo Sidney will be ineligible for the remainder of this season, 30% of the 2010-11 season, and must repay $11,800 in ‘benefits received from preferential treatment,’ the NCAA announced Friday.

Citing violations of ‘ethical conduct,’ Sidney’s university, Mississippi State, established that the freshman broke rules by providing ‘false or misleading information throughout the eligibility process,’ according to an NCAA statement.

According to the statement, Sidney and his family used money from a nonprofit organization for personal gain, Mississippi State reported to the NCAA.

The Times last year investigated Sidney and his family. The family at that time declined to answer numerous questions about how funds from Renardo Sidney Sr.‘s L.A. Dream Team Foundation were spent.

The NCAA found the nonprofit funds ‘would not have been available were it not for the student-athlete’s athletic skills and reputation.’ Hotel accommodations, travel expenses, free athletic gear and training were also provided to Sidney in violation of the rules on preferential treatment.

‘Our members have made it crystal clear that student-athletes who receive impermissible benefits, either directly or indirectly, and who lie to the NCAA must be held accountable,’ said Kevin Lennon, the NCAA vice president for academic and membership affairs. ‘This case is about more than a student-athlete. One of our core responsibilities is to ensure a level playing field for all student-athletes and their teams. No team or individual should have an unfair advantage.’

The NCAA said it made numerous requests for information connected to the eligibility of Sidney beginning in April 2009. The NCAA said Sidney and his attorney ‘failed to promptly report and accurately reply,’ causing numerous delays in reaching a resolution.

The NCAA noted that Mississippi State can still appeal the decision to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee.

-- Lance Pugmire