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Logan Burtch-Buus | Tucson Local Media
Sean Miller faces new allegations.
A battered Arizona men’s basketball program took another hit Friday, when a bombshell report hit.
The ESPN report alleges that Coach Sean Miller discussed paying $100,000 to recruit seven-foot freshman Deandre Ayton.
The discussion, according to the report, was picked up by an FBI wiretap of former sports agent Christian Dawkins, a main source in the FBI’s investigation.
The FBI collected more than 3,000 hours of conversation between the former ASM agent and various subjects, according to the report, including Miller’s discussions.
Ayton, who’s averaging 19.6 points per game and 10.9 rebounds this season, was among the highest-rated prospects in the Class of 2017, highlighting Miller’s recruiting efforts.
The University, as of noon Saturday, has yet to say whether Miller or any players and assistants will be suspended or terminated.
The team is 22-6 this season, with a one-and-a-half game lead atop the Pac-12 conference standings. They play Oregon at 8:15 p.m. tonight.
According to ESPN, Miller’s contract has a buyout package that would cost $10.3 million to fire him for cause.
Oddly enough, Miller’s buyout would only be $5.15 million, should they fire him without cause, according to ESPN’s Darren Rovell.