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Gilchrist Eligible For USF Basketball Beginning With 7th Game

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 5, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida freshman forward/center Gus Gilchrist was ruled eligible to play for the Bulls this season beginning with their seventh game against Niagara.

Gilchrist transferred to USF from Maryland. The Bulls were hoping to have him eligible at the start of the season, but there was also a chance the NCAA would require him to sit out the entire 2008-09 season.

The 6-foot-10 Gilchrist's first game will be Dec. 14 against Niagara in the Sun Dome.

"We are thrilled with the news that Gus will join our team in time for the meat of our schedule," USF coach Stan Heath said.

Gilchrist initially signed with Virginia Tech while still in high school. He got out of his letter-of-intent and signed with Maryland, but left there after one semester. Had Gilchrist remained at Maryland, he would have been eligible at the same time that he was ruled eligible at USF.

Gilchrist came to USF along with Terrelle Woody, his personal trainer, adviser and spokesman.

Woody has been aligned with Gilchrist for the past three years. In that time, Gilchrist, the highest-rated recruit in USF history, attended two high schools and signed letters-of-intent with three universities. Woody, 38, also had Gilchrist, 18, serve as his best man in his April wedding.

Woody was hired by Heath as USF's video and conditioning assistant and was also paid to work some of USF's summer camps.

USF also will gain the services of Georgia transfer Mike Mercer, who becomes eligible on Dec. 14 as well.

The Bulls play their final exhibition game Monday against the U. of Tampa before opening the season Nov. 14 at home against SMU.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928.

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