After being linked to a federal investigation into fraud and corruption in recruiting, the University of Louisville has placed head coach Rick Pitino on administrative leave. Pitino, who is expected to formally be fired soon, has explored the idea of a return to the NBA in recent years, but there has been little interest and that’s unlikely to change, tweets ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
That federal investigation into the NCAA also affected player agency ASM Sports, where lead agent Andy Miller had his computer taken by the FBI, tweets Darren Heitner. Darren Rovell of ESPN confirms (via Twitter) that phone lines were shut off at the agency, which represents Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Kristaps Porzingis, and many other NBA players.
Former ASM representative Christian Dawkins, who was fired from the agency for racking up more than $40,000 in Uber charges on an NBA player’s credit card, was among those accused of bribery and arrested on Tuesday. The FBI’s raid of ASM is believed to be a result of Dawkins’ former employment there.
Here’s more from around the basketball world:
- Bobby Marks of ESPN breaks down the roster situations for every NBA team and examines some of they key preseason issues that each club will have to address.
- Several NBA insiders provided Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer with some of their thoughts on how they’d improve the league. Among the suggestions? Getting rid of two-way contracts, removing live-ball timeouts, and eliminating the age limit for the NBA draft.
- Former NBA forward Carlos Delfino will begin the season with Baskonia in Spain, as Orazio Cauchi of Sportando details. Delfino, who appeared in more than 500 regular season games, last played in the NBA for the Rockets in 2012/13.
Pitino has always been a schiester.
But he sure demands players do certain things. If he moves into commentating we will hear about many techniques! Not complaining.
I mean I’m not complaining. He should be good at it, but due to boredom, I bet he goes overseas to coach if the NBA doesn’t bite.
—
The two-way contracts will be a failed idea that we will wonder about down the road. (“What was that?”) It doesn’t allow for optimal player movement.
—
No need for teenagers. Let them find their own way… there is no obligation to them. Plenty of college scholarships are available, and a world of hoops franchises.