The NCAA has cleared sophomore forward Joey King to play this season for the Gophers.

 

“Received great news today. Eligible for the 2013-14 season. Go Gophers,” King tweeted from his Twitter account Thursday night.

 

King averaged 6.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game last season at Drake, while shooting 35 percent beyond the arc. He provides a legitimate stretch four to add depth to a thin front court. 

 

“King … has been physically very much ready to play,” Gophers head coach Richard Pitino said Oct. 1. “He’s the type of guy I think could come in and make an impact.”

 

Pitino previously said the team was “cautiously optimistic” of the 6-9 forward’s  waiver being approved. King filed the waiver with the NCAA to forego the required sit-out year because his transfer was for family reasons.

 

King is the second Gophers transfer to have a waiver approved by the NCAA this year. Senior guard Malik Smith’s waiver was approved in June. Forward Rakheem Buckles’ waiver was denied in September, making King’s waiver all the more important.