Manhattan ? Kansas State forward Dramane Diarra, suspended since November while the NCAA investigated his participation on teams in his home country of France, has been granted eligibility, coach Jim Wooldridge said Monday.

Diarra, a transfer from Cloud County Community College, had practiced with the team but had not played in the Wildcats’ first 11 games. The NCAA declared him ineligible Nov. 21 because he had played for a team in France that considers itself professional.

Athletic director Tim Weiser said Diarra received only expense money.

“He didn’t receive anything except actual and necessary expenses, which according to the NCAA doesn’t constitute a professionalized player,” Weiser said.

Diarra averaged 15.7 points and seven rebounds for Cloud County and had been expected to play a significant role at Kansas State this season.

Wooldridge said he expected Diarra to play between 15 and 18 minutes in the Wildcats’ Big 12 Conference opener Wednesday at Kansas University.