Kentucky denies paying $200k for Davis recruitment
Kentucky is in trouble again.
Not even two months removed from a New York Times report that raised concerns over the recruitment of one-and-done Wildcats guard Eric Bledsoe, UK is in the news again, with the Chicago Sun Times reporting that incoming freshman Anthony Davis negotiated a $200,000 deal to commit to the school.
The original story, which ran last Wednesday in the Sun-Times, cited unidentified “sources/rumours that have Davis choosing Kentucky (and also allege) that the commitment cost $200,000.”
The university has flat-out denied the allegations saying in a statement released to the press that "both the father of this student-athlete and the University have repeatedly told (the story’s author) Michael 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."
"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 continued.
In light of the allegations, the university has also threatened legal action against the Sun Times and O’Brien and said that it would not interfere with any decision the family made to pursue their own lawsuit.
"The University fully supports any action the student-athlete and his family may take against Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times. The University is also evaluating all available rights and remedies it may have against Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times in responding to these false and defamatory statements."
Despite the threat of legal action, the Sun-Times has not retracted the story and even went so far as to elaborate on their findings in a follow-up last Friday.
"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," read the updated article.
An attorney for the Davis family, Georgette L. Greenlee has also denied the claims, saying in a statement that ''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.''
Davis had been keeping his university choice under wraps though his father had made it clear that he had made his decision. The 6ft 10in forward went unnoticed throughout his high school career at Perspectives, a Chicago public charter school, but gained national recognition from his AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) performances.
A history of violations
Despite Kentucky’s repeated denial of the claims, this would not be the first time Calipari has been linked to recruitment violations.
While the aforementioned Bledsoe case is still under investigation and could result in sanctions against Kentucky, two other programs headed up by Calipari have had to vacate Final Four appearances as a result of recruitment violations occurring while he was at the helm.
The University of Massachusetts recently had their 1996 appearance expunged because an NCAA investigation revealed that Marcus Camby had received illegal payments from an agent. Memphis had to vacate their 2008 appearance because a similar investigation revealed that star guard Derrick Rose had someone else write the SATs for him.
Despite his history and the rise of recent allegations, Calipari has said that he is not worried about his job security and will go on coaching the same way he always has.
"Coaching at Kentucky is like being in politics," said Calipari. "You've got your core group that absolutely loves you, and the others are trying to unseat you. I'm going to be at Kentucky next year. I don't need to say anything else."
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