Kristian Sjolund Receives NCAA Waiver to Immediately Play at UTEP

Earlier today, Kristian Sjolund received the news that everyone had been patiently waiting for. His waiver was approved by the NCAA and he is now immediately eligible for the UTEP men's basketball team. The former Georgia Tech forward will wear #12 and he will be a redshirt sophomore for head coach Rodney Terry this season.

Sjolund teamed with transfer point guard Jamal Bieniemy while both played their prep ball at Tompkins High School in Houston, and the pair helped lead the to the 6A State Finals. ESPN rated the 6'8 forward the 17th best prospect out of Texas when he originally signed out of high school to play for Georgia Tech.

"I love Kristian," Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution back in April. "We wish him nothing but the best. He was a great representative of Georgia Tech both as a student and as an athlete, and UTEP’s getting a really good person and player for their program."

Although he played his freshman season, Sjolund redshirted last year in order to get stronger. Although he considered transferring to another Division 1 school last fall, he waited until the spring to commit to UTEP head coach Rodney Terry. Now, he will bring a skillset that the Miners can use with his size and length to play on the wing.

UTEP is still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse on shooting guard Christian Agnew. The Miners will start their season on November 25th and they are expected to release their schedule at any time.