Reuters |
Baylor’s would-be dream season is turning sour.
Less than a week after star guard LaceDarius Dunn was charged with aggravated assault and suspended indefinitely for an incident involving his girlfriend, FOXSports.com’s Jeff Goodman broke news that the program is being investigated by the NCAA for its involvement in the recruitment of a Colombia high school player.
The NCAA will be in Waco, Texas, later this month to interview coach Scott Drew and his coaching staff, Goodman reported. The school has already self-reported the violations.
Complicating matters is that Baylor just came off probation on June 22 stemming from the Dave Bliss debacle back in 2003. The new violation occurred in late July. Hard to imagine the NCAA’s happy about that.
The new problems stem from the recruitment of Hanner Perea, a junior from Colombia who transferred to an Indiana high school. Baylor assistant Mark Morefield reportedly sent dozen of texts to Perea’s AAU and high school coaches in July while they were coaching events, which is against NCAA rules.
More damming? There was at least one threat involved. From Goodman’s story.
Morefield also sent a text to LaLumiere coach Alan Huss, which was obtained by FOXSports.com, saying that if Perea didn’t go to Baylor, he wouldn’t be back in the United States.
“I guarantee u if he does [commit to another school] he will be in Colombia for the spring and summer and next year. Don’t forget it,” the text said.
Mike Miller’s also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller, usually talkin’ hoops. Click here for more.