NCAA says UCF player eligible next month

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - The NCAA says that senior basketball player A.J. Rompza will be eligible next month after being declared ineligible in the preseason as part of an investigation into Central Florida's football and basketball programs.

Rompza has not played this season after being the lone current Knight named in connection with the NCAA's probe. He is eligible beginning Dec. 30 and is being required to repay $900 in improper benefits.

UCF basketball coach Donnie Jones is sitting out a school-imposed penalty of three conference games.

Keith Tribble resigned as UCF's athletic director earlier this month, along with a football assistant coach David Kelly when the NCAA released a notice of allegations accusing both of unethical conduct for involvement with runners for sports agents that included cash payments and gifts to recruits.