Report says three UK players linked to possible NCAA violations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ/Yahoo Sports) – Documents into the ongoing federal investigation into NCAA violations name three University of Kentucky basketball, according to a new report by Yahoo Sports.

Yahoo Sports went through hundreds of pages of documents on the expenditures of prominent former NBA agent Andy Miller, his former associate Christian Dawkins and his agency, ASM Sports.

According to Yahoo Sports, the documents include expense reports and balance sheets that list cash advances, as well as entertainment and travel expenses for high school and college prospects and their families.

Former UK players Edrice “Bam” Adebayo and Nerlens Noel, and current UK freshman Kevin Knox are listed in the documents, according to the report.

Yahoo Sports says under the subheading “Loan to Players,” there is a listing that refers to “BAM” for $12,000.

“BAM” is later identified in the documents as Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, according to Yahoo Sports, and a later reference to Adebayo says he received $36,500 and the document reads:”Bad loan” likely in reference to Adebayo not signing with ASM Sports.

Nerlens Noel is listed as having received a $4,350 loan from ASM Sports, according to the report.The report says Kevin Knox was among the list of players or their families who had meetings or meals with Dawkins.

University of Kentucky officials sent out statements Friday morning regarding the report released by Yahoo Sports about a federal investigation into college basketball.

Statement from President Eli Capilouto:

“As I said to our Board of Trustees this morning, we learned late last night of a report from Yahoo Sports that provides more details regarding documents related to the federal investigation of potential NCAA violations. We began immediately to conduct our due diligence, and we will cooperate fully with any appropriate authorities. That is our commitment as a university to our Board of Trustees and to the Commonwealth. I will keep you informed of any developments should they arise in this matter.”

Statement from Mitch Barnhart, Athletics:

“We are aware of the report today by Yahoo! Sports. We have not been contacted by the FBI or the NCAA, but since learning of the report, we have reached out to both the NCAA and our league office. We will be conducting an internal review. At this time, we have no further comment.”

Statement from Coach John Calipari:

“I have no relationship with Andy Miller or any of his associates. Neither my staff nor I utilized any agent, including Andy Miller or any of his associates, to provide any financial benefits to a current or former Kentucky student-athlete. We will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.”