St. John's freshman Kassoum Yakwe cleared to play by NCAA

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) St. John's says freshman forward Kassoum Yakwe has been cleared by the NCAA to play immediately.

The school announced the decision Wednesday, meaning the 6-foot-7 forward from Mali will be available for the game at Fordham on Dec. 2. St. John's is competing in the Maui Invitational this week.

Yakwe is considered a top 100 prospect. He was cleared the same day Cheick Diallo, his teammate at Our Savior New American in Centereach, New York, was cleared to play for No. 5 Kansas.

Marcus LoVett, another at St. John's freshman, was declared a partial qualifier by the NCAA this month. He can practice with the team but cannot play in games.