Zeidaks hit with lengthy NCAA ban

Mississippi State spokesman says Kristers Zeidaks has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the entire upcoming season and the first 11 games of the 2012-13 season.

MSU's Gregg Ellis made the announcement Thursday.

The 6-foot-8, 230-pound Zeidaks played with and against professional players in his home country of Latvia. He averaged 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in the Under-20 European Championships last year.

Zeidaks' lengthy suspension surprised Mississippi State officials, who didn't expect such a harsh ruling. The suspension is two games longer than the one given to current MSU forward Renardo Sidney, who sat out the 2009-10 season and the first nine games of the 2010-11 season after the NCAA ruled he received improper benefits.

Mississippi State opens its season Nov. 7 at home against Eastern Kentucky.