Calling coach Cal, calling coach Cal...

[AntAltMike]

Kentucky denies payment for recruit

ESPN.com news services

The University of Kentucky issued a statement on Friday threatening legal action over a Chicago Sun-Times story claiming that recruit Anthony Davis negotiated a deal to receive $200,000 from someone who wanted him to commit to the school.

The initial Sun-Times story on Wednesday cited unidentified sources and stated:

"The rumors/sources that have Davis choosing Kentucky are also alleging that the commitment cost $200,000. [Anthony] Davis Sr. has flat out denied everything."

Kentucky responded in a statement.

"The University of Kentucky is dismayed by the continued lack of professionalism and responsible journalism exhibited by Michael O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times in running yet another false and defamatory story on August 6, 2010, regarding the University's recruitment of a high school student-athlete," the statement read. "Both the father of this student-athlete and the University have repeatedly told Mr. O'Brien that these unsubstantiated 'rumors' are untrue. Neither the University of Kentucky nor any member of its Athletic Department has offered or paid any money or other illegal benefits to the student-athlete or his family."...

That's a non-denial. The allegation is that the money was to be paid by "someone who wanted him to attend the school.", not by the school itself. In other words, by a booster.

The initial Sun-Times story also cited unidentified sources in saying that the NCAA was "checking" into the recruitment of Davis. Kentucky said this was a mischaracterization of the situation....

Despite Kentucky's statement, the Sun-Times stood by its story on Friday, and even elaborated:

"Sources from three separate universities told the Sun-Times that Davis Sr. asked for money in return for his son's commitment, with the amounts ranging from $125,000 to $150,000."

The newspaper reached out to an attorney for the family.

''Mr. Davis has not asked any university or college for any commitment fee for his son, nor has anything been offered to him or Mrs. Davis,'' Georgette L. Greenlee wrote Thursday, according to the Sun-Times.

Weak. The kid's father's lawyer says his father didn't ask any SCHOOL for money, and the clause that "nor has anything been offered" is vague enough to not include his father asking a booster for money.

More detailed accounts can be found on the Sun-Times site.

 

[Jimbo]

Isn't the kid getting a free ride thru college anyways ?

What would THAT cost the father if he didn't have the scholarship

 

[Ramy]

I don't believe anything until they have proof, like bank statements where he got a lump sum of money.