Sidney verbally committed to USC in February but never signed a Letter of Intent. Both USC and UCLA reportedly backed off over concerns over his amateurism status, specifically how his family paid rent for a $1.2 million home near Fairfax. “We are pleased about Renardo’s opportunity to enroll as a student at Mississippi State, and we will continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA as we resolve his amateur status,” MSU athletics director Greg Byrne said. “As we said from the beginning, Mississippi State has pledged to do its due diligence in this matter and provide full cooperation from all parties involved, while continuing to keep in mind our first priority is to protect the integrity of our university.” A native Mississippian who moved to California in 2006, Sidney averaged 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots this past season in leading the Lions to a 27-5 ledger. In March, he was selected to the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team, while in mid-April he was tabbed co-MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden. If he becomes eligible he would join a massive front line that also includes 6-9 Jarvis Varnado and could include 7-1 John Riek, who has also yet to be cleared. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.
Sidney verbally committed to USC in February but never signed a Letter of Intent. Both USC and UCLA reportedly backed off over concerns over his amateurism status, specifically how his family paid rent for a $1.2 million home near Fairfax. “We are pleased about Renardo’s opportunity to enroll as a student at Mississippi State, and we will continue to fully cooperate with the NCAA as we resolve his amateur status,” MSU athletics director Greg Byrne said. “As we said from the beginning, Mississippi State has pledged to do its due diligence in this matter and provide full cooperation from all parties involved, while continuing to keep in mind our first priority is to protect the integrity of our university.” A native Mississippian who moved to California in 2006, Sidney averaged 23.4 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots this past season in leading the Lions to a 27-5 ledger. In March, he was selected to the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team, while in mid-April he was tabbed co-MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden. If he becomes eligible he would join a massive front line that also includes 6-9 Jarvis Varnado and could include 7-1 John Riek, who has also yet to be cleared. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.