Texts between Kansas coach Bill Self and ex-Adidas rep show how high-level college basketball recruiting works
The Kansas coach wanted Adidas' help, in part, because he believed Nike was helping Duke and North Carolina
The most interesting text messages between Bill Self and T.J. Gassnola that were shared Monday in federal court were the ones that came after the former Adidas consultant thanked the Kansas coach for whatever role he played in getting KU's 12-year contract extension done with the apparel company in September 2017.
Self, according to
The Kansas City Star, told Gassnola he was happy with Adidas before adding "just need to get a couple real guys."
"In my mind, it's KU, Bill Self. Everyone else fall into line. Too (expletive) bad," Gassnola replied. "That's what's right for Adidas basketball. And I know I'm right. The more you have lottery picks and you happy. That's how it should work in my mind."
"That's how ur (sic) works. At UNC and Duke," Self replied.
Gassnola answered by saying Kentucky as well.
"I promise you I got this," Gassnola texted. "I have never let you down. Except (Deandre). Lol. We will get it right."
What that exchange features is Gassnola essentially promising Self that he'll help him land five-star prospects because Kansas is Adidas' biggest basketball program and what's good for Kansas is good for Adidas. Gassnola assures Self he will deliver because he's never previously let him down -- except for that time with Deandre Ayton, the five-star center who enrolled at Arizona, a Nike school, even though Gassnola paid one of Ayton's friends $15,000, according to testimony last week. And Self welcomes the help from Adidas because, he believes, North Carolina and Duke get similar help from Nike. So does Kentucky, Gassnola proclaims.
Simply put, this has been college basketball for a while.
Self was right.
That's how it works.
Now do I have proof that Nike has paid prospects to go to Nike schools, or that Under Armour has paid prospects to go to Under Armour schools? No.
(The feds might, though.) But what I do know is that coaches have long
believed both Nike and Under Armour assist Nike and Under Armour schools in recruiting exactly the same way it's been proven Adidas assisted Kansas, NC State and Louisville in recruiting.
Self's texts are evidence of that.
And this is a point I've made for over a year now -- since the day Jim Gatto, Merl Code, Christian Dawkins and seven other men were charged with federal crimes via an ongoing investigation into corruption in college basketball -- the point that shoe-company assistance, regardless of what's right or wrong, was largely considered acceptable behavior in the sport before the government said it's not.
That's the truth.
Entire article:
https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...gh-level-college-basketball-recruiting-works/
