AMES — The dream of a return kept Iowa State guard Bubu Palo going.

Palo, who saw second-degree sexual abuse charges dropped Monday, spoke with members of the media before Wednesday’s game against West Virginia.

“Definitely a relief,” said Palo, a 6-1 junior backup point guard from Ames who was consequently reinstated to the team by Coach Fred Hoiberg. “It was one of the things that would keep me up — the hope of rejoining my teammates and getting back on that basketball court. To have normalcy in my life and be able to have basketball back is something I’m excited about.”

Palo, who averaged 4.0 points and 1.5 assists in 13.8 minutes per game last season, sat on the bench Wednesday for the first time all season.

Iowa State's Bubu Palo. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

He said he hoped to be in shape to play in the Cyclones’ Jan. 23 game at Texas Tech.

When asked about the chain of events that led to him being charged last September, he said, “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“I’m just glad the truth has finally come out,” Palo added.