When the FBI raided the offices of NBA super agent Andy Miller in connection with his involvement in a potentially huge issue for the NCAA. The subsequent investigation by the FBI shows that about 20 top programs – including UNC, Michigan State, Kentucky and USC – were in some way suiting up players who committed NCAA violations.
The probe revealed at least 25 players are linked to impermissible benefits including current NCAA stars Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton, Wendell Carter and Kevin Knox and current young NBA stars Malcolm Brogdon, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Kuzma, Dennis Smith Jr and Markelle Fultz. On top of that, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and unnamed Villanova coaches were named in the documents.
This new report revealed various financial records, documents and wiretaps tied to Andy Miller and Christian Dawkins, a former agent in the ASM agency, provided insight into how the relationship with these college basketball players, their families and some coaches.
Here are some of the notable findings in the probe, according to Pat Forde and Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports.
Dennis Smith, who would go on to play at North Carolina State in 2016-17, received $43,500 according to the documents. Another document headed “Pina,” for ASM agent Stephen Pina, says Smith received a total of $73,500 in loans, and includes notes about “options to recoup the money” when Smith did not sign with ASM.
Isaiah Whitehead, at the time a freshman at Seton Hall, received $26,136 according to the documents. The “Pina” document says Whitehead received $37,657 and was “setting up payment plan.” Whitehead signed with ASM but later left the agency for Roc Nation.
Tim Quarterman, at the time a junior at LSU, received at least $16,000 according to the balance sheet.
Diamond Stone, at the time a freshman at Maryland, received $14,303 according to the documents.
A listing that refers to “BAM” for $12,000 is later identified in the documents as Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, who would go on to play at Kentucky in 2016-17. He did not sign with ASM. There’s a later reference to Adebayo that says he received $36,500. “Bad loan,” reads the document.
Markelle Fultz, who would go on to play at Washington and become the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, received $10,000 according to the documents. He did not sign with ASM.
Current USC player Bennie Boatwright and/or his father, Bennie Sr. (According to documents, they received at least $2,000.)
Current USC player Chimezie Metu and/or adviser, Johnnie Parker. (According to documents, they received $2,000.)
Current Texas player Eric Davis. (According to documents, he received $1,500.)
Current South Carolina player Brian Bowen, who was ensnared in the initial federal investigation and started his career at Louisville last fall until the school withheld him from competition. His father, Brian Sr., also received money, according to the documents. (Dawkins’ expense reports also list more than $1,500 in plane tickets for Bowen, his father and his mother. He and his family received at least $7,000 in benefits, according to the documents.)
Former Utah star Kyle Kuzma received at least $9,500 while in school, according to the documents.
Former South Carolina player P.J. Dozier received at least $6,115 while in school, according to the documents.
Former Xavier player Edmond Sumner and/or his father, Ernest. Documents show they received at least $7,000 in advances while Edmond was in school.
Former Wichita State player Fred VanVleet. Documents show he received at least $1,000.
Former Clemson player Jaron Blossomgame received a payment by Venmo while in school for $1,100 according to the documents.
Apples Jones, the mother of former Kansas player Josh Jackson, received $2,700 according to documents.
Among those receiving hundreds of dollars in advances, according to Dawkins’ expense reports:
The mother of current Michigan State player Miles Bridges.
Among the players and/or families who are listed as meeting with or having meals with Dawkins:
Current Alabama player Collin Sexton.
Current Duke player Wendell Carter.
Current Kentucky player Kevin Knox.
Former North Carolina player Tony Bradley.
Former Creighton player Justin Patton.
Former Texas player Prince Ibeh.
Former Notre Dame player Demetrius Jackson.
Former Vanderbilt player Wade Baldwin.
Former Virginia player Malcolm Brogdon.
Former Iowa State player Monte Morris.
According to the documents, Dawkins has dinners listed with plenty of boldface names in the sport – Tom Izzo, “Villanova coaches,” Fultz and the family of wayward five-star prospect Mitchell Robinson.
The case has already led to Louisville firing head coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich. Assistant coaches across the country in Chuck Person (Auburn), Tony Bland (USC), Emanuel Richardson (Arizona) and Lamont Evans (Oklahoma State) were also fired due to their connection to this scandal.
In a statement released early Friday morning, NCAA president Mark Emerich said the following.
“These allegations, if true, point to systematic failures that must be fixed and fixed now if we want college sports in America. Simply put, people who engage in this kind of behavior have no place in college sports. They are an affront to all those who play by the rules.”
