USA Basketball, NCAA invite top 24 Class of 2019 prospects to compete in events at Final Four
By ADAM ZAGORIA USA Basketball and the NCAA
By ADAM ZAGORIA USA Basketball and the NCAA
By ADAM ZAGORIA The NCAA is a "ways
By JACOB POLACHECK N.C. State freshman guard Braxton
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal fraud and bribery scandal shaking college basketball has led to a key question of what will happen to recruits who received money linked to attending certain schools.
It could mean the permanent loss of college eligibility for some players for violating a core NCAA rule prohibiting improper benefits. But there’s also the chance that some ineligible players could go through the NCAA’s reinstatement process and eventually play after sitting out some games.
“Some of them will possibly not play depending on how large the benefits or inducements were,” said Michael L. Buckner, a Florida-based attorney who has worked on infractions cases. “Others, it’s going to impact them some, some of them may have to be withheld (from games). But I think overall, they’re going to have that stigma that they were involved in this fraud and corruption scandal.”
The case went public Tuesday, with federal prosecutors announcing that 10 men — including a top Adidas executive and four assistant coaches at power-conference programs — were charged with using hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to influence star athletes’ choice of schools, shoe sponsors and agents.
Louisville says it will cooperate with “any law enforcement investigation or NCAA investigation” into the latest scandal engulfing the school’s basketball program under head coach Rick Pitino.
“Today, the University of Louisville received notice that it is included in a federal investigation involving criminal activity related to men’s basketball recruiting,” a school statement says.
“While we are just learning about this information, this is a serious concern that goes to the heart of our athletic department and the university. UofL is committed to ethical behavior and adherence to NCAA rules; any violations will not be tolerated.
“We will cooperate fully with any law enforcement or NCAA investigation into the matter.”
Pitino later issued a statement through his attorney, Steve Pence: “These allegations come as a complete shock to me. If true, I agree with the US Attorneys Office that these third-party schemes, initiated by a few bad actors, operated to commit a fraud on the impacted universities and their basketball programs, including the University of Louisville. Our fans and supporters deserve better and I am committed to taking whatever steps are needed to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
