Diallo to travel to Maui

Kansas freshman Cheick Diallo, center, laughs with Dwight Coleby as they watch warmups prior to tipoff, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas freshman Cheick Diallo has received a waiver from the NCAA that allows him to travel to Maui for the Maui Invitational, sources close to the program told the Journal-World on Thursday night.

It should be stressed he has not yet been cleared to participate games in the Maui Invitational or any other games this season. The waiver merely grants him the opportunity to travel with the team. The NCAA Eligibility Center continues to examine Diallo’s academic materials to determine whether he’ll be eligible this year or not.

Friday morning, before KU left for the Hawaii event, KU coach Bill Self said in a release that a waiver was granted to allow Diallo the opportunity to travel with the team, and that the NCAA case is ongoing.

Earlier Thursday, Self said: “I am very optimistic they’ll be able to let him go (to Maui), but I’m not optimistic we’ll have an answer on playing. I am optimistic we’ll have an answer on playing (this season) before the tournament is over.”

KU’s squad is to practice at 6 a.m., in KU’s practice facility then later in the morning fly charter to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. KU will meet Chaminade at 8 p.m., Central time, Monday.

Don Jackson, the attorney for Diallo’s guardian, told the Journal-World he is confident that the fact the NCAA reinstated another player — St. John’s guard Felix Balamou on Thursday — may bode well for Diallo. Various players nationally have been cleared the last couple weeks.

“I think this is a step in the right direction. Even though my client (guardian Tidiane Drame) has still not be interviewed (by NCAA) they are starting to review the information that has been provided. I am led to believe this is heading in the right direction. You could say I am cautiously optimistic (Diallo will be cleared soon),” Jackson added.