Solomon Expected To Return To Cal Next Basketball Season

BERKELEY (CBS /AP) -- California coach Mike Montgomery said he expects forward Richard Solomon to be back on the team next season after he was ruled academically ineligible last week for the rest of this season.

Montgomery said the sophomore forward already is doing extra work in the classroom and in study hall to improve his grades so he can rejoin the Golden Bears for 2012-13.

Solomon has been participating in team activities but doesn't go on the road trips.

"He's not in prison, he's ineligible," Montgomery said. "He's everywhere we are except for on the road. We've got Richard coming into the office at certain times to make sure he's doing what he's supposed to be doing. At the end of the day, it's still on him. Ultimately, he has to do the work. The motivation has to come from within himself. He knows that."

Solomon, who also was suspended for a Dec. 4 loss at San Diego State for a conduct violation, started eight of the 13 games in which he played this season for the Bears, who share the Pac-12 lead with Oregon.

He averaged 6.0 points and 6.2 rebounds.

Cal (16-5, 6-2) will host rival Stanford on Sunday night at Haas Pavilion. The Bears' depth is thin without Solomon, who is scheduled to take summer school classes to reach his 24 credit hours for the academic year.

"He's putting it behind him. It's in the past," teammate and friend Allen Crabbe said. "There's nothing he can do about it [now]. He's going to take this time to work harder."

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