Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner could be in some hot water following allegations from a friend.
According to Ron Bell, who is “part of our family and part of our team.” according to Pastner, the Yellow Jackets head coach had him pay star players.
The friend stated the allegations to CBS Sports’s Gary Parrish.
News of the possible allegations come following Georgia Tech’s suspensions of guards Josh Okogie and Tadric Jackson.
From the report:
According to the school, Jackson accepted benefits totaling less than $525 while Okogie accepted benefits totaling less than $750. Bell turned over documents to CBS Sports that show he spent $233.40 on a plane ticket for Okogie, sent him three pairs of shoes totaling around $444 and ordered him two shirts totaling $56. Bell also provided CBS Sports with documents that show he spent $233.40 on a plane ticket for Jackson, sent him two pairs of shoes totaling around $271 and ordered him Knicks apparel worth $80.
He said he also spent “about $500” on groceries for the players when they stayed at his house from May 9-13, and he provided photo evidence of Okogie and Jackson in his swimming pool. The NCAA should also be considering, he said, a 220-mile roundtrip ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Bell’s house in Tucson, which Bell said he provided for both players, as an impermissible benefit. And after adding up other various expenses, including a $120 meal Bell said he had with Okogie and Jackson at a Houston’s in Atlanta, the 51 year-old who works in the real estate business concluded he’s definitely given Okogie more than $750 and Jackson more than $525 in impermissible benefits.
The news comes admid a current FBI investigation into the NCAA for fraud and corruption involved in college basketball recruiting.
Georgia Tech has yet to respond to the allegations as the team prepares for its season-opener Friday night against UCLA in China.
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