DAYTON – The University of Dayton has announced that freshman basketball player Steve McElvene will sit out the 2014-15 season.  The 6-foot-11 center from New Haven, Ind. will be able to practice but not play this year after being ruled as a partial qualifier by the NCAA.

McElvene will retain four years of eligibility, beginning with next season.

"We are disappointed for Steve, and of course Steve is very disappointed," Dayton coach Archie Miller said.  "But as a member of our team he will be involved in everything we do.  This is a great opportunity for him to spend the next year to develop on and off the court to be the best player he can be at the start of next season, and prepare himself for a very successful college career."

As a senior, McElvene averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks per game as he helped New Haven High win its second consecutive Northeast Hoosier Conference Championship. McElvene was first team all-conference and was Honorable Mention All-Indiana as a senior.

Dayton finished 2013-14 ranked 18th in the final USA Today Coaches Poll. UD's 26 wins were the third-most in school history. The Flyers return the bulk of UD's "True Team" 11-man rotation for next year. That includes leading scorer Jordan Sibert (12.2 ppg) at guard and NCAA All-Region selection Dyshawn Pierre (11.2 ppg) at forward.