Beasley: Pay players, scandal won’t happen
In criticizing the NCAA for being hypocritical, Michael Beasley said there would be no scandals such as the current one enveloping college basketball if the legislative body did the right thing and paid its players. Beasley said the NCAA is “making billions.’’
Beasley, the new Knicks forward, said he helped put Kansas State on the map during its run to the NCAA Tournament and the city prospered, but he didn’t. Beasley swore he didn’t get paid a dime as a freshman when he averaged 26.2 points and 11.4 rebounds.
“I went to a small school in Manhattan, Kan., nobody ever heard of in 25 years [regarding basketball],’’ Beasley said Wednesday after his second Knicks practice. “The city of Manhattan has multiplied by five or six. Should I be compensated? [They] sell my jer- seys — not just mine.”
Beasley’s remarks came in response to the scandal at Louisville — and several other schools — where a recruit, reportedly Brian Bowen, was allegedly paid $100,000 to commit to the school, as part of an FBI investigation which has led to coach Rick Pitino’s apparent ouster.
“We bring a lot to these schools,’’ Beasley said. “We can’t even park in front of the arenas before games. They still make us as freshmen park two parking lots away from the dorm rooms when it’s freezing cold.
“Should guys be compensated for their work? Yes. Most of us don’t make it to this level. I do think guys should be getting paid. The NCAA is making billions, not just off basketball — football, soccer.’’
Beasley pointed out college golfers and tennis players have mechanisms for getting paid for participat- ing in professional tournaments. “Just not us,’’ he said. “I didn’t get paid to go to Kansas State. We did it the right way. Frank [Martin, the former Wildcats coach] is a morally humble guy. I have confidence in his ways of basketball recruiting. Him throwing a dollar out? Listen, he’s cheap.”
Beasley said if this scandal forces change, there should be “an audit” for 2007-08, his lone college season.
“Man, you guys are just catching on,’’ Beasley said of the illegal payments.
The scandal has hit home with the Knicks, with reports agent Andy Miller’s ASM offices were raided by the FBI on Tuesday. The Knicks have three players represented by ASM and Miller — Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez and Kyle O’Quinn. Porzingis’ brother, Janis Porzingis, works for ASM.