Billy Edelin will not be back with the Syracuse basketball team next season, head coach Jim Boeheim told Syracuse’s WTVH television station Thursday.

Boeheim said he expects Edelin to transfer to a Division II school so he will be able to play the 2005-2006 season.

‘I think he’s got to try to go some place where he can play right away and drop down to an NAIA school or an NCAA Division II school,’ Boeheim told WTVH’s Kevin Maher. ‘I think at this point that’s what he’s planning on doing.’

Edelin never completed a full school year since he started at SU in the fall of 2001. Boeheim could not be reached for comment Friday. SU assistant coach Mike Hopkins said he talked to Boeheim on Thursday but Boeheim did not inform Hopkins of Edelin’s future at that point. Hopkins declined further comment.

Edelin’s father, William, also declined comment when reached by phone on Friday.

Edelin was suspended in October 2001 after two female students accused him of sexual misconduct. No charges were ever filed and Edelin was reinstated in June 2002.

Edelin was suspended for 12 games during the 2002-2003 season for playing in recreational games during his suspension. He returned to play in 23 games that season and was a member of the 2003 national championship team.

‘He’s always been part of the team,’ Boeheim said in the interview. ‘I don’t believe we would’ve won the national championship without Billy.’

Edelin started at point guard for the first 16 games of the 2003-2004 season before leaving the team for personal reasons. He took a medical leave from the university in the spring of 2004 and did not receive any credits for that semester.

Last fall, the NCAA granted Edelin a waiver to participate in the 2004-2005 season though he did not qualify academically. He appeared in 20 games this past season, starting three and scored 4 points per game

‘We did everything we could and I think Billy knows that and understands that,’ Boeheim said. ‘Sometimes it just doesn’t work out. I think it worked as well as it could under the given circumstances.

‘I believe he will go on and be a good person and do a good job wherever he goes.’

Published on May 28, 2005 at 12:00 pm