ESPN: Convicted runner’s phone calls linked to Arizona’s Sean Miller

Arizona coach Sean Miller’s cell phone number made and received calls from former runner Christian Dawkins, who was convicted last Wednesday in the federal college basketball trial, ESPN reported Sunday.

Outside the Lines reports that from May 2017 to July 2017, Dawkins’ phone made or received “at least 13 phone calls involving a cell number belonging to Miller” and nine more associated with a cell phone of Creighton head coach Greg McDermott. All of the calls made to or received from Miller’s number lasted at least five minutes, ESPN said.

Dawkins was one of three men convicted Wednesday in the New York trial. He was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud in his attempts to pay high school recruits and send them to Adidas-sponsored college programs.

The timeline of the calls between Dawkins’ and Miller’s cell phones came during the peak of Brian Bowen II’s recruitment.

Bowen’s father testified during the first trial that ended last week that then-Arizona assistant Joe Pasternack offered $50,000 to land his son.

ESPN obtained the cell phone records from evidentiary files from the trial, which already revealed audio recordings where Dawkins and the other prosecuted men spoke of Arizona’s recruiting of players, including Nassir Little. Some of that audio released suggested that Arizona offered $150,000 to Little for his commitment, though there is no evidence to prove that happened.

Also revealed in the ESPN report from Sunday was an email from Dawkins to Munish Sood, a New Jersey financial adviser and potential business partner of Dawkins. In that correspondence, Dawkins said he planned to make $2,500 monthly payments to then-Arizona player Rawle Alkins and was set to make Alkins’ cousin and roommate, Rodney Labossiere, his business partner.

“Rodney will get 25% of net income we generate from Rawle as well as additional players he brings in moving forward,” Dawkins wrote. “Rodney has a bonus structure in his contract as well for delivering players at [$]10,000 for a first round pick. $2,000 for a second round pick.”

The University of Arizona issued a statement to ESPN upon the report on Sunday.

 “The University of Arizona is aware of the information that has appeared in media reports regarding the just completed trial in New York. We are continuing to review the matter and will take such steps as are deemed necessary and appropriate based upon credible and reliable evidence. Out of respect for the judicial and administrative processes involved, we have no further comment at this time.”

The school conducted its own investigation of its basketball program in February upon ESPN’s report that Miller discussed a payment of $100,000 to ensure a commitment from current Phoenix Sun and former Arizona center Deandre Ayton.

Ayton, who spent the 2017-18 season at the school before going on to become the top pick in the 2018 draft, was also named in the trial. T.J. Gassnola, a former Adidas consultant who was convicted, said during trial that he gave $15,000 to a family friend of Ayton while allegedly attempting to steer the big man to Kansas, an Adidas school.

Miller denied any wrongdoing and missed one game last season before returning as the university’s athletic director and president issued support for their basketball coach. In a statement he read that he’s since referred to, Miller strongly denied the ESPN report linking NCAA violations regarding Ayton.

I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach of this great program. I have never paid a recruit or prospect or their family or representative to come to Arizona. I never have and I never will. I have never arranged or directed payment or improper benefits to a recruit or prospect or family or representative and I never will.

I also understand that there is an ongoing federal investigation and because of this I cannot do anything that might compromise the integrity of this investigation.

However, on this point, I cannot remain silent in light of media reports that have impugned the reputation of me and the university and sullied the name of a tremendous young man, Deandre Ayton.

Let me be very very clear: I have never discussed with Christian Dawkins paying Deandre Ayton to attend the University of Arizona.

Arizona assistant coach Emanuel “Book” Richardson, who was arrested last year and fired from the school, is the only defendant linked to Arizona in the case. He is set to begin trial in April.

During the trial, it was revealed that Dawkins asked an undercover FBI agent for $15,000 to give to Richardson to influence recruit Jahvon Quinerly, who decommitted from the Wildcats in September 2017 after Richardson’s arrest.

The University of Arizona has declined record requests submitted by ESPN, indicating it was in the best interests of the state to release such information.

It’s expected that the NCAA will not begin investigations into recruiting violations until all the federal trials have been completed.

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