Player’s father: L’ville gave cash
The father of a blue-chip college basketball recruit testified yesterday that an assistant coach at the University of Louisville gave him a secret payment of $1,300 as part of a deal to get the son to sign with the school.
At a criminal trial about corruption in big-time basketball, Brian Bowen Sr. described meeting assistant Kenny Johnson two separate times in 2017 to try to collect cash in violation of school and NCAA rules.
Bowen testified that the first time, Johnson was “shocked” and “flabbergasted” when he told him that defendant Christian Dawkins had promised that the coach would help the father with paying rent. The next time, he said, Johnson handed over $1,300 — reluctantly.
“He made it clear that this was a one-time deal for him,” Bowen said in federal court in Manhattan. “He said Louisville didn’t pay basketball players.”
There was no immediate response yesterday to a message seeking comment from a lawyer for Johnson, who was never accused of a crime.
The testimony about the recruitment of Brian Bowen Jr. came in a case that prompted Louisville to fire both Johnson and its legendary coach, Rick Pitino. Johnson is now an assistant at La Salle.
Koepka earns Nicklaus award
U.S. Open and PGA champion Brooks Koepka added to his trophy collection by winning the Jack Nicklaus Award trophy as the PGA Tour player of the year.
Koepka is the sixth player in the last six years to win the award, the longest streak of different winners since PGA Tour players began voting on the award in 1990 . . . .
South Carolina got some good news about its quarterback situation with Jake Bentley expected to return as the Gamcocks’ starter against No. 22 Texas A&M after missing last week with a left knee injury.
Coach Will Muschamp said Bentley has moved well, looked strong and, unless there’s a setback, will play Saturday.
Humboldt author: I had good intentions
The author of a book about the Humboldt Broncos and the deadly bus crash that rocked the junior hockey team says he had good intentions in choosing to publish the story.
The crash in April killed 16 people and injured 13 more when the team bus collided with a semi-truck at a rural intersection in Saskatchewan.
“Humble Beginnings of the Humboldt Broncos and the 2017-2018 Team,” written by Barry Heath, came out last month. Several people who lost loved ones in the wreck say they didn’t want the book published and have asked people not to buy it.
Heath, a former veterinarian and community coroner, said he is sorry some of the families believe they had to give him permission to celebrate their loved ones . . . .
George Taliaferro, the star Indiana running back who in 1949 became the first black player drafted in the NFL when George Halas and the Chicago Bears took him in the 13th round, has died. He was 91.