Apparently the University of Arkansas has received word from the NCAA Clearinghouse that freshman point guard Courtney Fortson of Montgomery, Ala., is athletically eligible for the 2008 fall semester.

All incoming freshmen must be certified by the Clearinghouse before they are eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletics.

Without specifically mentioning the Clearinghouse, Razorback basketball coach John Pelphrey discussed Fortson in a statement issued Tuesday through the UA’s sports information department.

“ We are very excited about Courtney as a student-athlete, ” Pelphrey said according to the UA. “ This is great news, but we never really anticipated any problems. There was a process he had to go through. It took some time, but he and his family did all the right things. We are looking forward to having Courtney as a Razorback. ”

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The UA closed the statement asserting nobody from the UA “ will be available for any more than this. ”

The UA apparently still awaits the Clearinghouse paperwork before incoming freshman forward Jason Henry, a West Memphis and graduate of Harmony High in Cincinnati, Ohio, can be certified eligible.

UA classes begin next week.

Though the UA has announced that junior twoletterman guard Patrick Beverley will not compete for the Razorbacks in 2008-2009, he is listed with an asterisk on the Razorback roster in the 2008-2009 preseason prospectus released Tuesday.

The asterisk designates Beverley will not compete during this season.

Listed on the roster in addition to Fortson and Henry are newcomers Rotnei Clark, a freshman guard from Claremore, Okla.; freshman forward Brandon Moore of New Orleans; junior college transfer forward Montrell McDonald and Andre Clark, a freshman from North Little Rock now eligible who attended the UA in the 2008 spring semester and was eligible then only to practice but not play.

Returning lettermen are junior for ward Michael Washington, junior guard Stephan Welsh and sophomore guard Marcus Britt plus forward Michael Sanchez of Springdale Har-Ber, redshirted as a freshman last year, and junior walk-on guard Stephen Cox of Jonesboro who didn’t letter but did log some floor time last season.