The University of Maryland is now also under scrutiny for their recruitment practices as part of an FBI probe into college basketball. 247Sports is reporting that Maryland was subpoena on two separate occasions regarding the recruitment of Ex-Terrapins center Diamond Stone and ex-Kansas player Silvio De Sousa who was also heavily recruited by Maryland.
Both players names were redacted in the subpoenas and Maryland issued a statement regarding the FBI investigation.
“On March 15, 2018 and June 29, 2018, the University received grand jury subpoenas for documents related to the ongoing federal investigation of college basketball. The University complied with the subpoenas by providing responsive records. None of the responsive records shows evidence of any violations of applicable laws or NCAA bylaws by University coaches, staff or players. The University has cooperated and will continue to cooperate fully with the ongoing federal investigation.”
A previous report by Yahoo Sports has Maryland being connected to Andy Miller of ASM Sports and his associate Christian Dawkins who was identified as a person of interest and whose offices were raided tied with the FBI probe into college basketball. Christian Dawkins has been accused of being the middle man between Miller and recruits and providing them with financial loans in exchange for their commitment to schools sponsored by Adidas and/or signing shoe deals with the company once the college players become professional athletes.
The first subpoena looks into the recruitment of Diamond Stone who was a 5-star recruit and is currently on the Utah Jazz summer league after being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. Stone averaged 12.5 points and 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks while at Maryland. Additionally the subpoena mentioned Maryland’s assistant coach Orlando Ranson’s personnel file.
The second subpoena inquired about the recruitment of potential student athlete Silvio De Sousa who eventually attended Kansas during his lone college season in 2017-18. there’s been rumors that De Sousa camp asked for Kansas to repay a loan they initially received to attend University of Maryland.
It appears that this FBI probe will be ongoing and remain fluid as many of the top college programs continue to be subpoena for information into their recruiting practices. College basketball appears to be a big business and everyone but the players appear to benefit. We’ll see if this ongoing probe will force the NCAA to identify ways to compensate all parties involved in providing the college basketball product.