The Chicago Sun-Times is standing by its story that the father of 6-foot-10 forward Anthony Davis of Chicago Perspectives Charter asked Kentucky for money in return for his son’s commitment.
In a story posted on its Website early Friday, reporter Michael O’Brien cites “sources from three separate universities …that [Anthony] Davis Sr. asked for money in return for his son’s commitment, with the amounts ranging from $125,000 to $150,000.”
When O’Brien reached Davis Sr. Thursday, the father reportedly said: ”Thanks for ruining my son. Thank you very much.”
Georgette L. Greenlee, an attorney representing Davis Sr. and his wife, Erainer Eberhardt-Davis, also denied the original Sun-Times story, which cited “rumors/sources” in support of the contention that Kentucky had paid $200,000 for Davis.
”Mr. Davis has not asked any university or college for any commitment fee for his son, nor has anything been offered to him or Mrs. Davis,” Greenlee told the Sun-Times.
In the latest story, The Sun-Times cited another “source” saying that the NCAA is ”checking” into Davis’ recruitment.
”The University of Kentucky has spoken with Mr. David Price, NCAA vice president of enforcement,” according to the letter to the Sun-Times, which was written by Kevin G. Henry of the Lexington, Ky., law firm Sturgill, Turner, Barker and Moloney. ”He advised that whatever inquiry you received from an NCAA person was merely asking you for information about your sources for your article, and that this is not confirmation of an ‘investigation’ of the University of Kentucky or an examination of the recruitment of the named student-athlete by the NCAA.”
Stephen Baker, another attorney from the same law firm, sent a letter to the Sun-Times demanding retraction of the initial story and threatening legal recourse if it did not.
“You have to question, what is (O’Brien) thinking?” Barker told the Chicago Tribune. “You have to know, working on an article like that, with no sources, and you have a strong denial from the father — I think that is a blatant breach of journalism ethics.”
Davis grew to 6-10 from 6-2 in the past year and became the hottest recruit on the summer circuit. He initially cut his list to Kentucky, Syracuse and Ohio State before visiting Kentucky Sunday and DePaul Monday.
Davis Sr. told ChicagoHoops.com the Kentucky visit went well.
”We spoke with the president of the school, looked at the living quarters where Anthony would be staying and saw some film on some improvements they are making within the basketball program,” Davis Sr. told the Website.
”We also met the entire coaching staff, from coach Cal [John Calipari] to the weight trainer.”
Calipari, who has had two Final Fours vacated at two different schools, declined comment Thursday on the matter to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
“No, no. I won’t bother with ridiculous things,” Calipari told the paper.
(Photo courtesy Sun-Times)
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TheFinger / August 6, 2010
wouldn’t be the 1st time a father asked for favors or cash money for his son’s services, but is this kid even worth that much? guess we’ll see what becomes of this as i’m sure the ncaa has already released some hairy dogs to go sniffing about.
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BostonCat / August 6, 2010
if they really stood by their story they would provide more then just “rumors” as source of information. the sun times is a joke and so is the author….pretty much everyone is in agreement with that. this standing by their story is just crap to generate more hits on their website. if they had something…they would show it. they dont.
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blasphemy / August 6, 2010
After threatening legal recourse, the Sun-Times still decided to “print” the story. I don’t see any party backing down at this point. UK is tired of seeing their name ran through the mud and are about to get “real.” If UK has cheated, which varies depending on who you asked, if this goes to trial…… cheating or no cheating will be revealed. For the first time, I think haters and lovers of UK/JC can agree on one thing….. please let this go to trial, PLEASE!
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blasphemy / August 6, 2010
And if you don’t want it to go to trial, either A) you are a fan and really do believe he is cheating or B) you are a hater who really believe he isn’t. This really is a binary situation in the “not” factory.
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alifmuhammad / August 6, 2010
All Sh….. ???
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Mr. Reasonable / August 6, 2010
Why are UK fans so surprised? Calipari has had TWO final fours taken away from and his former schools. The guy is dirty. It happened at UMASS. It happened at Memphis. It’s going to happen at Kentucky. Count on it.
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Wheatgerm / August 6, 2010
“Calipari, who has had two Final Fours vacated at two different schools …”
Jesus, Adam. That was gratuitous, wasn’t it? Are you suggesting there might be a third because of the Davis matter? How so?
And to be clear, Calipari didn’t have them vacated. He did nothing to have them vacated. So please word that clause in way that does not make it appear he was the responsible actor. You know how haters glom onto stuff like that. “Zagoria says it was Calipari who had the Final Fours vacated!” No, Calipari had two Final Fours taken away from him when a player in each made himself ineligible. That’s cumbersome, but you get the point. Be careful what you write.
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DocBean / August 6, 2010
I hope he’s taking some of that money and getting Laser Hair Removal. Check out that crazy eyebrow!
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Mr. Reasonable / August 6, 2010
Wheatgerm, it’s not Adam’s fault that BOTH of Calipari’s final fours were vacated, it’s CALIPARI’S. Your comment demonstrates both your own naivety to the likelihood that Calipari had full knowledge of wrongdoing in both recruiting instances, and it makes evident that no matter what the facts, you’re a UK fanatic first and foremost. I wonder if you’ll still be singing coach Cal’s praises when he leaves your school with a heap of NCAA violations and vacated accomplishments.
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BlueCat32 / August 6, 2010
Hahahaha…
This whole story is just plain funny…
UK is NOT paying any recruits or their families…
There are reasons this type of Rumor(so called story)came out at this time.The same time as R.P. has been in the news lately..Hmmmmmm,just a coincidence?(I think not)
Here’s a point made by Marc Maggard at T.B.K.
http://www.truebluekentucky.com/index.php/basketball/926-guest-basketball/3507-is-michel-obrien-writing-his-own-blog.html
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RockChalkWoody / August 6, 2010
“Neither the University of Kentucky nor any member of its Athletic Department has offered or paid any money or other illegal benefits to the student-athlete or his family.”
This is legal speak for, “If $$$ really changed hands then it came from some dumba$$ alum or agent.” I personally don’t believe this story.
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blasphemy / August 6, 2010
Believe which story Woody, UK’s or the CST’s? Or should I even ask?
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RockChalkWoody / August 6, 2010
Yeah, you can ask. I think the Chicago Sun-Times story is crap.
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blasphemy / August 7, 2010
Ah, wasn’t sure. I’m of the opinion that it is crap too. As I pointed out in my earlier post though, I would welcome this to trial. A lot of things will air out, if they are there, and if Cal is ultra dirty as some people think he is, it will come out. I think everybody who believes or disbelieves Cal should WANT this to go to the courts.
Btw, heard about Selby, sorry to hear (we are still waiting to hear about Kanter too). Outside of that, who are your projected starters at each position and who would be the second team (assume Selby clears for this and give thoughts on the third string PG) You follow them a lot closer than I do and I want to get a head start on my basketball this season.
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RockChalkWoody / August 7, 2010
Hey, blasphemy. My gut feeling is Kanter & Selby will only miss a handful of games (if any). In typical NCAA fashion they will drag their heels and ultimately decide both players can play.
As for the Jayhawks roster Self once again is faced with almost too much depth. His system has “bigs” and “smalls.” The bigs are the Twins, Thomas Robinson, and Jeff Withey. He redshirted two 4 star wings last year (Travis Releford & Mario Little) and my guess is that one of those guys will get the nod at Henry’s spot (the 3). Then again, Brady Morningstar might get a lot of minutes at that spot too.
As for your question regarding PGs, again Self never really has a true “PG.” Obviously, Selby will have his hands on the ball most of the time and Tyshawn Taylor will probably be the other starting guard. Backing them up will be a combination of Elijah Johnson, Tyrel Reed, Brady Morningstar, and CJ Henry. I believe that our other freshman, Royce Woolridge, will redshirt.
My guess is this is what the depth chart will look like early on:
Markieff Morris/Jeff Withey
Marcus Morris/Thomas Robinson
Travis Releford/Mario Little
Tyshawn Taylor/Tyrel Reed/Brady Morningstar
Josh Selby/Elijah Johnson/CJ Henry
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blasphemy / August 7, 2010
Ok, ty.
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JessieWildcat / August 8, 2010
ROUND 1
—-Goes to………………
Didn’t I tell YOU.
The story is starting to grow….is it because…there is some TRUTH to IT.
From Kansas Gangster U to Univ. of wwwKentucky.
And NOT a word form B. JONES.
She is a WEAK attorney.
Any attorney from that state is little time…
I’ll take a Chi Attorney over this little Jones lady. Probably doing a Pitino with a Kentucky member or booster.
DOING a PITINO….LMAO.
Lets see what Kensucky DOES?
ROUND1 – $200k pay out to Davis.
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