Kansas Basketball Investigation: What We Know So Far

Learn about the latest findings in the Kansas Basketball investigation and what this means for the future of the program.

Introduction

The University of Kansas is currently being investigated by the NCAA for potential rules violations related to its men’s Basketball Program The investigation was launched in September of 2017, and has since been ongoing. Here’s what we know so far about the case.

In September of 2017, the NCAA launched an investigation into potential rules violations committed by the University of Kansas men’s Basketball Program The investigation is focused on whether or not members of the Coaching Staff engaged in impermissible recruiting practices, including offering improper benefits to recruits and their families.

So far, four coaches have been implicated in the case: current Head Coach Bill Self, Assistant Coach Kurtis Townsend, and former assistant coaches Jerrance Howard and Ron Anderson. All four coaches have denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation is ongoing, and it is not yet clear when it will be completed. It is also not clear what penalties, if any, the University of Kansas may face as a result of the investigation.

The Allegations

Since the college Basketball Recruiting scandal broke in September of 2017, several schools have been embroiled in allegations of wrongdoing. The latest school to be caught up in the scandal is the University of Kansas.

As of now, there are three major allegations against Kansas: that they knowingly employed an assistant coach who was paying players to come to the school, that they failed to properly monitor a booster who was giving illicit gifts to players, and that they offered illegal inducements to a prospect in order to get him to commit to the school.

Kansas has denied all of these allegations, but with the investigation still ongoing, it remains to be seen what will happen next.

The Investigation

Kansas is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly paying players to come to their school. The investigation became public in September of 2017 when federal prosecutors released documents detailing financial advisor Christian Dawkins’s Expense Report from October of 2016. The report showed that Kansas had paid $20,000 to then-assistant coach Kurtis Townsend for the recruitment of five-star player Billy Preston

Preston never played a game for Kansas, as he was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after it was revealed that his mother had received a payment for his use of a rental car. Dawkins was convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy in October of 2018, and the trial revealed further details of the scheme.

Townsend and current Kansas head coach Bill Self are mentioned frequently in the trial documents, as is current Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino. Pitino has not been charged with any crime, but the trial revealed that he was aware of the scheme and helped arrange a meeting between Dawkins and Adidas executive James Gatto.

The investigation is ongoing, and it is not clear if any charges will be filed against any individuals involved.

The Aftermath

The past week has been eventful for the Kansas Jayhawks After it was revealed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking into possible corruption within the program, Head coach Bill Self and his staff have been fighting an uphill battle to keep their jobs.

On Tuesday, it was reported by Jeff Goodman of ESPN that Kansas assistant coach Kurtis Townsend was caught on a federal wiretap discussing a payment to then five-star recruit Zion Williamson Williamson would go on to play one season at Duke before being drafted first overall in the 2019 NBA draft

While this is the most serious allegation against Kansas thus far, it is not the only one. The FBI has also been looking into a $20,000 payment from Adidas to former Jayhawk player Billy Preston. The money was allegedly used to help Preston buy a car, which is a violation of NCAA rules. Adidas has since fired executive Jim Gatto in connection with this payment.

In addition, it is believed that Self and his staff knew about issues within the program and failed to report them. It is unclear what kind of punishment Kansas could face if these allegations are proven true, but it is sure to be significant. Stay tuned for more updates on this story as it develops.

The Impact

In late September, the University of Kansas placed men’s basketball head coach Bill Self on administrative leave amid an ongoing NCAA investigation. The move came as a shock to many, as Self is one of the most successful and well-respected coaches in the country.

The investigation centers on alleged impermissible benefits given to recruits by Adidas employees. The FBI first began investigating the matter in 2017, and it has been ongoing since then.

So far, no charges have been filed and no one has been arrested or indicted. However, the impact of the investigation has already been felt by Kansas and the college basketball community as a whole.

Here’s what we know so far:

· In September of 2017, the FBI arrested four Assistant coaches from Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State and USC in connection with a corruption probe into college basketball recruiting.

· The criminal complaint alleges that Adidas employees conspired to funnel $100,000 to the family of a high-profile recruit in exchange for his commitment to play at an Adidas-sponsored school.

· The recruit in question is believed to be Kansas freshman Silvio De Sousa, who committed to play for the Jayhawks shortly after Bill Self was placed on leave.

· Federal investigators have interviewed multiple witnesses as part of their probe, including Kansas assistant coach Kurtis Townsend and former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola.

· While no charges have been filed yet, the investigation is ongoing and more details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks and months.

The Repercussions

The federal investigation into College Basketball has touched some of the biggest names in the sport. So far, four assistant coaches have been charged with crimes related to accepting bribes to steer players toward certain agents or financial advisers.

The investigation has also ensnared some of the biggest programs in the country, including Kansas, Louisville and North Carolina State The probe is ongoing and more charges are expected to be handed down.

The repercussions of the investigation have been widespread. Several schools have fired orsuspended assistant coaches who have been implicated in the probe. Louisville has put head coach Rick Pitino on unpaid leave and is seeking to fire him for cause.

Andrea Radrizzani, the owner of Leeds United Football Club, has tweeted that he is interested in buying scandal-ridden football club AC Milan.

The Outcome

The investigation into potential academic misconduct within the Kansas men’s Basketball Program is ongoing, but some information has already been made public. Here’s a look at what we know so far.

So far, three players have been named in the investigation: Silvio De Sousa, Billy Preston, and David McCormack All three have been linked to possible NCAA violations involving receiving impermissible benefits.

De Sousa, a sophomore forward, has been accused of receiving $2,500 from Adidas executive T.J. Gassnola in order to secure his commitment to Kansas. Preston, a freshman forward, was reportedly involved in a car accident in which he was driving a vehicle that did not belong to him and did not have insurance. It is believed that he was given the car by an agent in an attempt to get him to sign with that agent once he turned pro. McCormack, a sophomore center, is alleged to have received $1,750 from Gassnola.

All three players have been suspended indefinitely from the team while the investigation is ongoing. If they are found guilty of violating NCAA rules, they will likely be forced to sit out for at least part of next season.

The Future

What does the future hold for the Jayhawks?
This is a question that many Kansas fans are wondering as the NCAA continues to investigate potential rules violations within the men’s basketball program
At this time, it is unclear what sanctions, if any, will be handed down by the NCAA. However, if previous cases are any indication, Kansas could be facing serious penalties.
It is important to remember that the investigation is ongoing and no conclusions have been reached at this time. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

The Takeaway

The headlines have been shocking: “Kansas men’s Basketball Program under federal investigation.” “FBI looking into College Basketball specifically Kansas.”

UNC is also caught up in this scandal, as is Louisville, Miami, and others.

Yahoo Sports obtained documents that reveal star players have been receiving impermissible benefits from agents and financial advisors.

The question on everyone’s mind is: how bad is this going to be for Kansas?

Here’s what we know so far:

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Kansas Basketball Program is currently under investigation by the NCAA for potential rule violations. While the full extent of the violations is not yet known, it is clear that they are serious enough to warrant an immediate and thorough investigation. As more information becomes available, we will continue to update this article.