USC C Oraby cleared by NCAA to play

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Southern California center Omar Oraby (ore-ROB-ee) had his hardship waiver petition approved by the NCAA and will be eligible to play in the Trojans' season opener on Friday night.

The school says it was notified by the NCAA on Thursday that Oraby is eligible immediately. The 7-foot-2 center from Egypt transferred to USC in September after playing two seasons at Rice. He averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds for the Owls last season, and had a school single-season record of 54 blocked shots.

The Trojans host Coppin State on Friday night.