What’s next?
Q: Should coaches at other unnamed programs be worried?
A: For now, coaches at Adidassponsored schools should be extremely concerned, while those coaching at Nike schools should be wary, after it was reported federal authorities subpoenaed records and testimony from Nike employees connected to their Elite Youth Basketball League. For now, the focus is on the schools where the assistant coaches were arrested — Oklahoma State, USC, Auburn and Arizona — and the others, such as Miami and South Carolina, which also were implicated in the scheme. And there is no telling what information some of the others arrested, such as Adidas director of global marketing James Gatto (right), will be willing to offer in exchange for a plea deal.
Q: What happens to the players implicated?
A: There are three names universally believed to be involved in receiving money, Louisville freshman Brian Bowen, Arizona five-star recruit Jahvon Quinerly of Hudson Catholic (N.J.) and uncommitted five-star Florida wing Nassir Little. Bowen reportedly has been suspended indefinitely by Louisville, and it seems likely he never will be eligible to play college basketball. Quinerly and Little are in danger of a similar fate, both tied to accepting bribes to attend a particular school, according to the federal reports.
Q: What happens to the recruits connected to the programs named in the federal documents?
A: They quickly distance themselves from their respective programs, and hope they are not tied to any activity that could endanger their eligibility. It didn’t take long for a few of them to bolt. Five-star forward E.J. Montgomery decommitted from Auburn Wednesday morning, and fivestar recruits Courtney Ramey and Anfernee Simons did the same with Louisville shortly afterward. More recruits will follow. Fortunately for those players, this happened before the early signing period, so they don’t have to be released from a National Letter of Intent.
Q: Is college football next?
A: Not yet. The FBI’s investigation centered around bribery, not players getting paid to attend specific colleges. The system in football is different. Extra benefits are not believed to be delivered through apparel companies and sports agents. But there is concern the popular 7-on-7 leagues in the spring could spawn a similar problem that basketball has been dealing with.