Brother: UT recruit accepted cash, gifts
AUSTIN — The older brother of Texas basketball recruit Mo Bamba says Bamba took improper gifts and money from a Detroit financial adviser that would make him ineligible to play in college.
Ibrahim Johnson posted a rambling, profanitylaced, 20-minute Facebook video Wednesday, accusing adviser Greer Love of giving Bamba money and gifts. Love previously worked in New York and was involved in youth sports in Harlem, where he got to know Bamba’s family.
Love told 247Sports Bamba asked him to help manage his recruitment. Love says he consulted with schools to ensure he wasn’t breaking rules and wouldn’t jeopardize Bamba’s eligibility.
Texas officials said Bamba’s amateur status had previously been reviewed by the NCAA and that he’s been cleared to play, but the school did not release a statement from Bamba or address any specifics in the brother’s video. Bamba is one of the top incoming players in the country.
“We’re aware of the recent social media post regarding our men’s basketball student-athlete Mohamed Bamba,” the Longhorns said. “As is usual practice by the NCAA, Mo’s amateur status was previously reviewed and final certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center. The NCAA has not informed us of any pending issues or eligibility concerns at this time regarding Mo. If there are further questions, we certainly will cooperate with the NCAA to the fullest.”
Love did not respond to requests for comment. NCAA spokesman Chris Radford said the NCAA is “aware of the situation and we are working with the school,” but declined further comment.
Bamba, a 6-foot-11 forward, is considered the gem of coach Shaka Smart’s incoming class and a player who could make a huge impact on a program that went 11-22 last season. Bamba picked Texas over Kentucky, Michigan and Duke.
The allegations leveled by Johnson do not directly involve the Longhorns, but focus on Bamba’s relationship with Love. Johnson said Love gave his brother $200 a week, paid credit card bills and paid for a trip to California.
Johnson, a former Division II player at the University of Montevallo in Alabama, also complained of a falling out with his brother and said Bamba wouldn’t help him get into graduate school at Texas. Johnson said he reported his allegations to the NCAA and was scheduled to meet with NCAA officials soon.
“He’s not going to play” in college, Johnson said of his brother.