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NCAA clears Daisha Simmons to play for Seton Hall

The NCAA declared former Alabama guard Daisha Simmons eligible this upcoming season at Seton Hall ending a five-month ordeal.
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The NCAA has declared former Alabama guard Daisha Simmons eligible for this season at Seton Hall, head coach Tony Bozzell told Jerry Carino of the Asbury Park Press.

The NCAA's decision ended a five-month ordeal, which saw Alabama come under scrutiny by the basketball world for its decision to reject Simmons' transfer.

Simmons, who is originally from Jersey City, N.J., graduated from Alabama in May with a business degree and transferred to Seton Hall in order to be closer to her brother, who is suffering from kidney disease, and her mother, who suffers from chronic arthritis. Alabama previously blocked Simmons' transfer, but relented this week, saying it would support a waiver allowing her to transfer.

“Obviously I’m thrilled for Daisha and her family and very appreciative of the NCAA and Alabama for doing the right thing,” Bozzella said.

Alabama had said that Simmons did not discuss her family's health issues with the school, but Simmons said that was not the case and provided emails stating her case.

Simmons will have one season of eligibility left. She was Alabama's second-leading scorer last season, averaging 13.8 points a game and added 5.4 rebounds per contest while starting 29 of the team's 30 games.

- Scooby Axson