Documents obtained by Yahoo! gave the public their first glance into an FBI investigation into possible corruption in college basketball. These documents centered around former NBA agent Andy Miller and his agency ASM Sports. It is reported that the FBI has information, including paperwork, detailing cash payments, and travel and entertainment expenses that were covered for recruits and then college athletes. More than 20 Division I programs are cited in the investigation including household names such as Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State. At least 25 players are named in the reported documents including current players Miles Bridges of MSU, Duke’s Wendell Carter and Collin Sexton from Alabama. Also cited are two lottery picks from last year’s NBA draft, Dennis Smith Jr. and Markelle Fultz. NCAA president Mark Emmert said, ”These allegations, if true, point to systematic failures that must be fixed and fixed now if we want college sports in America,” in a statement this morning.
I don’t think anyone thought that the NCAA was completely pure. If you thought this wasn’t happening anywhere in the country, you’re just naive. The startling part of this report is the scope of the corruption. The documents released implement some of the most successful programs of recent history. And this is just one part of the FBI investigation. There is more to come and most likely more bad news. The fallout will be interesting to see. With Louisville having just lost their 2013 National Championship in the wake of their own recruitment scandal, we could see more titles taken away. The teams mentioned in the report have been Final Four regulars and if it comes out that they competed with players who should have been ineligible, those wins could be vacated. It is also interesting to see what happens with players currently playing. Miles Bridges was a preseason favorite for the Wooden award and now his season could be done. This will definitely be a story to watch as it continues to unfold.
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