Oregon State expects that guard Roberto Nelson will not be able to make his long-awaited college debut until Dec. 12.
Barring "an outside chance the NCAA will clear him for the season opener," the highly regarded freshman is planning on sitting out the fall semester, according to the school's website.
Nelson redshirted last season and was relegated to impressing the team in practice while waiting for academic clearance from the NCAA. According to the school he was a half-credit short from becoming eligible.
The delay has kept coach Craig Robinson's rebuilding project at Oregon State from completely taking shape and his prized 6-foot-3 recruit from showing off what he can do after coming out of high school ranked ESPNU's No. 17 shooting guard.
"I'm a scorer," Nelson said in a statement. "I'm like a leader. I can pretty much do everything. Once I'm able to get out there, my game is going with the team, because we are playing very well right now and the team is looking good. I feel like I can be one of those spot-up shooters while everybody else is doing their thing. I can be an outlet and that's what I plan to be."