By ADAM ZAGORIA
NEW YORK — Former Arizona assistant coach Book Richardson told aspiring agent Christian Dawkins that head coach Sean Miller “bought” Deandre Ayton, according to FBI wiretap audio played for jurors Wednesday.
The recording was played Wednesday morning, before the prosecution rested. The defense then called Dawkins as its first witness. Dawkins and former Adidas exec Merl Code are on trial on federal bribery charges.
In the recording from June 20, 2017, Richardson and Dawkins discuss Ayton. The prized recruit had already arrived in Tucson after verbally committing to the Wildcats in September 2016.
Meantime, ESPN’s Jay Bilas asked on air of both Arizona and LSU, “What more do you need?” with respect to Miller and Will Wade, whose name has come up in both trials relation to paying players.
Jay Bilas asking Arizona and LSU ‘What more do you need?’ With regard to Sean Miller and Will Wade. pic.twitter.com/U325PUy0dZ
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 2, 2019
For my additional coverage from the trial, click on the links below:
**Witness: I never saw ex-UA assistant Book Richardson take bribes from men on trial
**Secretly recorded conversations show Book Richardson talking about chasing players, paying families
**On FBI-recorded call, would-be agent on trial says Sean Miller ‘fronted’ deal
**Sean Miller unlikely to testify; new FBI videos detail ‘crazy’ race to land Zion Williamson
**‘Nothing has changed’: Judge unlikely to compel Sean Miller to testify in bribery trial
**Agent boasted he did business with Arizona coach Sean Miller in FBI’s secret video
**On stand, Dawkins says he had a “pretty good relationship” with Sean Miller
