By Bill Koch
Enquirer staff writer

Mike Pilgrim, forced to sit out his freshman year last season after being declared an academic non-qualifier, has rejoined the University of Cincinnati basketball program and is eligible to play this season.

But the status of senior center Robert Whaley is uncertain. Whaley, who left the program for seven games last season before returning in time for the NCAA Tournament, has not returned from his summer break with the rest of his teammates and is academically ineligible to play in the fall. He needs only three credit hours to be eligible and could earn those through summer school.

"Rob did not fulfill his (academic) requirements," associate athletic director Brian Teter said. "As of right now, he's ineligible. He's not on the roster."

Pilgrim, a 6-foot-7 forward from Brewster Academy and Purcell Marian High School, suffered a stress fracture in his foot during the Bearcats' first practice session last season.

He was declared an academic non-qualifier in late January, making him ineligible to play as a freshman.

"He can help us," interim head coach Dan Peters said. "... We need somebody to defend inside. We need some rebounders. He should be able to do those things."

Pilgrim averaged 17.9 points and 9.0 rebounds at Purcell Marian, where he was second-team all-state in 2001-02. He averaged 13.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots at Brewster Academy in 2002-03.

"I told the kid this is a wonderful opportunity to come in and play," Peters said. "There's minutes there."

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E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com