Today in federal court, FBI video wiretaps were played that included former USC assistant coach Tony Bland talking to Christian Dawkins about establishing a recruitment and payment scheme for then-prospect Marvin Bagley III.
Another video wiretap was played that included Clemson assistant coach Steve Smith talking to Christian Dawkins and an undercover FBI agent about the recruitment and potential payments to be made to Zion Williamson's family. These wiretaps were caught in July of 2017.
Clemson football was also discussed via wiretap by Clemson basketball asst coach Steve Smith like this, in relation to Zion hoops recruitment: "That's why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight."
Clemson asst Steve Smith knew the exact time it took to get from Clemson's arena to Zion's house—1 hour, 4 minutes—and is caught joking, telling a story about how had to pretend to Brad Brownell about not knowing the route/distance the first time they both went to see Zion there.
Christian Dawkins, who was in the Vegas hotel room caught on video wiretap, discussing Zion recruitment: "Duke is gonna have their resources. UNC is UNC. Kentucky is gonna have their resources."
Under oath, Marty Blazer said he understood Dawkins to be saying: "Duke, UNC and Kentucky will have people in place to pay whatever's necessary for Zion Williamson. Whatever Zion Williamson's family needed, we would be able to step in and [help with money] if it was close."
Blazer testified—testimony supported by video taps—that 13k was given to Tony Bland (USC), $11,700 was given to AAU coach for L'ville, 6k was given to Preston Murphy (Creighton), 6k was given to Corey Barker (TCU) an4 $4,500 to Lamont Evans (then @ Okla. St) in Vegas in July 17.
Other coaches from Arizona St (Anthony Coleman), Clemson (Steve Smith), UConn (Raphael Chillious), Texas A&M (Amir Abdur-Rahim) met w/ Dawkins, Blazer and undercover agents, but didn't receive $ b/c they weren't consider worthy enough yet, i.e. they didn't have pull w/ prospects
@MattNorlander
Lots of talk involving payment around guys like Bagley and Zion.... Wonder how one school was able to purchase... I mean, recruit them both
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@MattNorlander
Please note, there were/are no wiretaps, or ANY type of communication from Marvin Bagley III, or ANY member of his family agreeing to receive, receiving, requesting, or even discussing ANY type of payment.