New evidence that came out in federal court today during the FBI’s college basketball corruption case could cause significant problems for Kansas, LSU and (gasp) Duke.
Particularly named in court today were Kansas assistant Kurtis Townsend, LSU head coach Will Wade and Duke freshman player Zion Williamson.
Here’s an excerpt about Townsend and Williamson:
Both could cause significant NCAA problems for the coaches involved – LSU head coach Will Wade and Kansas assistant Kurtis Townsend – and perhaps even one player, current Duke freshman Zion Williamson.
In a September phone call between Townsend and Adidas consultant Merl Code, the discussion turned to KU’s recruitment of Williamson, a top-five national recruit out of South Carolina. Mark Moore, one of the attorneys for Code, read a transcript of the call.
Code: “Hey, but between me and you, you know, he asked about some stuff. You know? And I said, ‘Well, we’ll talk about that, you decide’ … I know what he’s asking for. He’s asking for opportunities from an occupational perspective, he’s asking for cash in the pocket and he’s asking for housing for him and his family.”
Townsend: “I’ve got to just try to work and figure out a way because if that’s what it takes to get him here for 10 months, we’re going to have to do it some way.”
Whether the “he” that Code was discussing was Williamson or a family member was a bit unclear – presumably the player would not be seeking “opportunities from an occupational perspective.” By denying it be played for the jury, Judge Kaplan prevented the full context to be heard and even argued by attorneys. Who knows when more details might come out.
Here are some details about Wade and LSU:
As for Wade, the LSU head coach is on a phone call with Dawkins discussing the possible recruitment of Balsa Koprivica, a center who plays in Florida and is one of the top players in the Class of 2019.
“[Wade] is communicating to Christian Dawkins that he can get him what he needs – meaning money – if a player in Florida, Balsa Koprivica, agrees to play for LSU,” Casey Donnelly, one of Gatto’s attorneys, said. Donnelley then read a portion of the transcript of the call.
“Would you want Balsa?” Dawkins asked.
“Oh, the big kid?” Wade responded.
Dawkins confirms
“OK, but there is other [expletive] involved in it,” Wade said. “Wait, I’ve got to shut the door … I can get you what you need but it’s got to work.”
