LSU Plans to Work with the NCAA in Possible Basketball Investigation
LSU Athletics Director Joe Alleva says they are ready to work with the NCAA after basketball coach Will Wade’s name was linked to possible offers of improper benefits involving a high school prospect in Florida.
Wade’s name surfaced during a college basketball corruption trial in federal court in New York, where attorneys tried to present evidence of a phone call between Wade and one of the defendants in the case, Christian Dawkins. Wade has stated publicly, even going as far as appearing on radio shows to say he’s never done any business of any kind with Christian Dawkins.
Yahoo Sports reported what they believe to be included on a tape, that was not allowed in the Dawkins trail by the judge in the case, including this:
"As for Wade, the LSU head coach is on a phone call with Dawkins discussing the possible recruitment of Balsa Koprivica, a center who plays in Florida and is one of the top players in the Class of 2019.
"[Wade] is communicating to Christian Dawkins that he can get him what he needs – meaning money – if a player in Florida, Balsa Koprivica, agrees to play for LSU," said Casey Donnelly, one of Gatto's attorneys. Donnelly then read a portion of the transcript of the call.
"Would you want Balsa?" Dawkins asked.
"Oh, the big kid?" Wade responded.
Dawkins confirms.
"OK, but there is other [expletive] involved in it," Wade said. "Wait, I've got to shut the door … I can get you what you need but it's got to work."
Wade has denied ever working with Dawkins.