Solomon Poole eligible to play Monday

Georgia Tech guard Solomon Poole was cleared by the NCAA eligibility center Friday. Poole, who has enrolled for the spring term after graduating from high school early, will be available to play in the Yellow Jackets’ game Monday against Alabama State at McCamish Pavilion.

Poole will join the team for his first practice Saturday. Ironically, Poole’s brother Stacey, who played one season at Kentucky and has been practicing at Tech for a year, will likely have to wait until Tech’s Dec. 22 game against the Citadel for his first game with the Jackets.

Thursday, coach Brian Gregory said that Solomon is physically ready to play at the college level, but downplayed expectations for playing time. He noted that the learning curve for a guard is steeper than it is for a forward or center.

“I think one of the big things that’s big with us right now is our team chemistry and different things like that, and I think he understands that,” Gregory said. “I think he’s willing to do anything in any role that we ask him.”

Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog