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NCAA Grants Bryn Forbes Immediate Eligibility

Lansing native Bryn Forbes transferred from Cleveland State to Michigan State in June to be nearer to an ailing family member. Now eligible to play in the 2014-15 season and forgo sitting out, Forbes will be able to make a positive impact on an MSU team that could use more firepower in the backcourt.

Facing talented players in the Big Ten will be a familiar challenge to Forbes
Facing talented players in the Big Ten will be a familiar challenge to Forbes
Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Bryn Forbes recently transferred from Cleveland State to be closer to his family, and the talented 2 guard ultimately chose Michigan State. Bryn will have 2 seasons of eligibility remaining.

Because the Lansing native transferred to be closer to his home, it was always a possibility that the NCAA might waive their requirement that transfer sit a season out and allow Forbes to play immediately for the Michigan State Spartans. Today, that prognostication came to pass and MSU released a statement announcing that Forbes was granted an NCAA Waiver.

Forbes averaged 15.7 points per game at Cleveland State, a feat he isn't likely to replicate with the Spartans, but he has shot very well from behind the line in his two years and the Spartans will welcome that addition. Bryn will even help soften the blow of Kenny Kaminski's departure as Kaminski was one of the Spartans' best returning shooters.

Here's what Bryn Forbes had to say about the NCAA's decision and what it means to him.

I'm very thankful to the NCAA for allowing me to play this season. I also want to thank Coach Waters and the Cleveland State program for being supportive of my desire to return home. My family is extremely important to me and I can't think of a better situation than being able to play in my hometown. This is truly a blessing to me. I'm happy to have this behind me, so that I can focus on balancing basketball, school and family obligations. I just look forward to contributing to the team any way I can.

I've only been a Spartan for a few months, but it already feels like home. My teammates have been great and accepted me immediately as part of the family. It's great to be reunited with my old teammate Denzel, and my high school coach, Carlton Valentine, has been a great support to me throughout this process. I also have to thank Jen Smith for all her work in compliance and submitting my waiver and all the necessary information. I'm so excited; I can't wait for the start of the season.

Tom Izzo also made a statement.

This is certainly good news for Bryn. Family is very important to Bryn and we are supportive of those obligations. I'd like to thank Jen Smith in our compliance office for all her efforts. Sometimes you look at waiver cases and question the intentions, but if there was ever a case where one seemed to be in order, this is it. Bryn is sincere in his desire to be there for his family, and he and I have discussed the work that will be needed to balance that with everything that comes along with being a student-athlete at Michigan State.

On the court, he had a great summer shooting the ball, and we expect him to add that to our offense this season. There's still room for him to improve as a player, but I've already enjoyed coaching him in the limited time we've had this summer.