Nick Emery drives against LMU in the 2016-2017 season. Emery will sit out the first nine games of this season before returning to the team after a year away. (BYU Photo)
Junior guard Nick Emery has officially been reinstated by the NCAA and BYU basketball after missing a year following an investigation into improper booster benefits. Emery will be required to sit out the first nine games of the season as part of the NCAA ruling.
Emery withdrew from BYU last fall, citing personal mental and emotional issues, including his recent divorce. He announced quickly after that he was cleared by BYU's Honor Code office, but the NCAA investigation was ongoing until just weeks ago.
The return should not come as a surprise to fans, who began seeing the Utah native around the Marriott Center again in April. Emery himself announced his return to BYU basketball later that month over Twitter.
https://twitter.com/NickEmery04/status/990099217795317760
Though BYU has not released its official schedule for this season, Emery is likely to make his return in early to mid-December when the Cougars take on rival Utah at Vivint SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake City.
Emery's questionable conduct dates back to a game against the Utes in December 2015, when he appeared to punch Utah player Brandon Taylor. The incident caused the rivalry to be dissolved for one year before returning last season.
The Lone Peak graduate still has two years of eligibility remaining following a record-breaking freshman year and a solid sophomore season. Emery set the record for made threes by a freshmen and was named to the All-WCC freshman and second teams.
Following the departure of fellow guard Elijah Bryant, Emery will be a much-needed offensive option after averaging 14.7 points per game over his first two years and becoming the fourth BYU player to reach 1,000 career points as a sophomore.