Big Ten denies waiver for ex-Iowa recruit

The Big Ten Conference denied a waiver today that would have allowed former Iowa basketball recruit Ben Brust a chance to earn a scholarship with another Big Ten school, Iowa associate sports information director Matt Weitzel said.

Brust, a high school senior at Mundelein (Ill.) High School, originally signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa. When Iowa fired men's basketball coach Todd Lickliter, Brust sought -- and was granted -- his scholarship release.

Brust then was recruited by multiple Big Ten schools but was informed he must pay his own way to any league school because he signed a letter of intent at Iowa. Iowa officials agreed to waive the Big Ten rule to allow Brust to earn a scholarship within the league, but the league denied it.

Brust, a 6-foot-2 guard, averaged nearly 25 points a game this year. New Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery continues to recruit him.