LEXINGTON, kY. (WKYT) - Maryland's chances of beating Kentucky in Friday night's season opener in Brooklyn were boosted Wednesday when transfer Dez Wells was cleared to play immediately by an NCAA subcommittee. The NCAA denied his first request.

Wells faced sexual assault charges earlier this year and was thrown out of Xavier. A grand jury then rejected the charges but Xavier would not allow him to return. As Wells began his search for a new school he visited Kentucky but eventually landed at Maryland.

Wells is 6-5, an All-Atlantic 10 selection last season. As a freshman he averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Maryland put out a statement on the university's athletic website quoting coach Mark Turgeon. "We're excited for Dez, because at the end of the day, the NCAA made the right decision. Our staff did an incredible job in putting this NCAA waiver appeal together on Dez's behalf. Dez has been a welcomed addition, a great teammate, and has made a seamless transition in getting acclimated to our campus."

"This has been a long process for him and his family, and we're grateful he can put it behind him and focus on being a student-athlete at the University of Maryland."