Felix Balamou suspended for NCAA violation

Felix Balamou, the athletic fourth-year wing from Guinea who has been nursing an injury, will not be available because of an NCAA violation.

St. John's did not specify the nature of the violation in the press release, but indicated that the school will seek reinstatement.

Source: Felix Balamou violation was pre-existing issue with previous staff leaked to NCAA. Goes back ta few years. #sjubb

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) November 13, 2015

Balamou is permitted to practice with St. John's while awaiting reinstatement; he will join partial qualifier Marcus LoVett, Kassoum Yakwe (waiting on the NCAA's eligibility ruling) and Tariq Owens (sitting out the year due to NCAA transfer rules) to form a potent practice squad.

Balamou averaged 1.6 points per game in limited minutes over the past three years, but the 6'4" wing had an opportunity to earn major minutes on a St. John's squad that is low on experience. The Red Storm have eight scholarship players available tonight and walk-on Elijah Holifield, who played well in the preseason.

The Red Storm face the Wagner Seahawks tonight at 6:00 pm, using the preseason loss to St. Thomas Aquinas as fuel to help them focus and learn how to compete on the Division I level quickly.