BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California coach Mike Montgomery says forward Richard Solomon is expected back next season after he was ruled academically ineligible last week for the rest of this season.
Montgomery said Wednesday the sophomore forward already is doing extra work in the classroom and in study hall to improve his grades so he can rejoin the team for 2012-13.
Solomon, who also was suspended for a Dec. 4 loss at San Diego State for a conduct violation, started eight of the 13 games in which he played this season for the Golden Bears, who share the Pac-12 lead.
He averaged 6.0 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Cal (16-5, 6-3) will host rival Stanford on Sunday at Haas Pavilion. The Bears’ depth is thin without Solomon.
