PC rookie barred from playing in 2012

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- The resilient Providence College fan base took another punch to the gut yesterday with the news that Ricky Ledo will not be able to play this season. They, like head coach Ed Cooley, now have to pick up the pieces and get set to jump another hurdle on the road to rebuilding.

Ledo was a top-25 recruit by all the major recruiting services, picked by Rivals.com as the sixth best player in his class. He was ready to shine as a freshman for his home team, but after yesterday's ruling by the NCAA, the guard's dream has changed.

"He was a little disappointed, I'm pretty sure his family was, but for me as the coach here I'm happy with this decision, because the big picture for me is educating these young men to get them to become better people in the long run," said Friars head coach Ed Cooley. "I think this is a positive for Ricky, I think it's a positive for our community."

This news is actually the second blow to PC's top ten recruiting class, since point guard Kris Dun will be out until December as he recovers from shoulder surgery.

Although, the Friar head man is still confident about what his returning players can achieve this season.

"It's going to affect our depth more than anything," Cooley added. "It'll be challenging up front, but no one said it would be easy, you know. I think we just need to continue to believe, continue to fight, and I think in the end I'm very optimistic about success."