W.Va. player to miss 20 games for violating rules

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) The NCAA has benched West Virginia freshman forward Deniz Kilicli for the first 20 games of the season after determining he violated an amateurism rule.

West Virginia said Friday that the NCAA determined Kilicli played on a Turkish team during the 2007-08 season that included a professional player, which isn't allowed under NCAA rules.

Kilicli, a native of Istanbul, attended Mountain State Academy in Beckley in 2008-09.

Coach Bob Huggins declined to comment on the NCAA ruling.

No. 8 West Virginia opens exhibition play on Nov. 8 against Mountain State.

Updated October 30, 2009