Jarvis Varnado has been the best shot-blocker in college basketball for the past two years. He also really loves his Mississippi State Bulldogs. To the tune of giving up his scholarship and taking out a student loan to pay for his senior year in Starkville. At least he is probably doing that.The Bulldogs found themselves facing a possibility of having 14 players on scholarship. One over the thirteen player limit, assuming John Riek and Renardo Sidney are fully cleared by the NCAA to play this year. Varnado, came back to Mississippi State after an exploration of the NBA Draft.
Apparently the Varnado family discussed the matter with coach Rick Stansbury around the time of Varnado's draft decision and the commitments from Riek and Sidney. They offered to take out a student loan to pay Varnado's way for the good of the team and essentially make Varnado a walk-on.
Of course, while Riek and Sidney are in Starkville and eligible to take classes, they have not been cleared by the NCAA to play for the Bulldogs. If either is denied, it is certain that Varnado will be back on scholarship.
Still the cost of a year at Mississippi State including the tuition, room and board and books -- what the scholarship covers -- is nearly $14,000. This is not some wealthy family that could afford to make the decision easily. Varnado's father is a high-school basketball coach. Even if Varnado remains a second-round NBA Draft pick in 2010, that is quite the commitment to the team.
