North Carolina State and former head coach Mark Gottfried are in NCAA trouble over the recruitment of Dennis Smith Jr.
State was hit with a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA earlier today.
Here are details from ESPN:
The NCAA has alleged two Level I violations against the school, the most serious violations under NCAA rules, including a failure-to-monitor charge against former coach Mark Gottfried, who now is coaching at Cal State Northridge.
Former Wolfpack assistant Orlando Early is also accused of helping facilitate a $40,000 payment from former Adidas executive T.J. Gassnola to Smith’s family in October 2015.
“It is alleged that from September 2014 through March 2017, Orlando Early, then men’s basketball assistant coach and lead recruiter, violated the NCAA principles of ethical conduct when he and members of the men’s basketball staff committed multiple recruiting violations and provided extra benefits during the recruitment and subsequent enrollment of [Smith],” the notice of allegations said. “Early and the men’s basketball staff members arranged for and/or provided Smith and individuals associated with him approximately $46,700 in impermissible inducements and benefits.”
The NCAA said Smith was ineligible while competing in 32 contests for the Wolfpack during the 2016-17 season, when he was named ACC Freshman of the Year.
The allegations regarding Smith’s recruitment were revealed in a federal indictment and criminal trial in New York last year.
Gottfried is currently the head coach at Cal State Northridge.
