Southeast guard ruled eligible for upcoming season

Ryan Belcher received a waiver from the NCAA.

By Marty Mishow ~ Southeast Missourian

Southeast Missouri State University's men's basketball program received some good news Monday when junior college transfer Ryan "Fuzzy" Belcher was declared eligible for this season.

Belcher's eligibility had been held up because of a question over transferable hours from Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis. Southeast sought a waiver from the NCAA and it was granted.

Belcher, a 6-foot-2 guard, averaged 13 points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists per game last season to earn all-region honors. He has been able to practice with Southeast even while his eligibility was in question.

"I'm really happy for Ryan," Southeast coach Gary Garner said. "He had done everything he was told to do in order to be eligible. He's a good student and it's worked out like it should have."

Although Belcher played point guard in junior college, Garner said he is capable of playing both guard positions and could even slide over to the small forward spot. Garner said where Belcher figures to help the most is on the defensive end.

"We recruited him for his defense more than anything," Garner said. "We really needed help with our perimeter defense and he's really going to help us in that area."