Kansas gets three-year probation for NCAA violations

Columbus, OH (PSF) - The University of Kansas men’s basketball team has been ordered to vacate 15 wins and its NCAA Final Four appearance from its record for the 2017-2018 season as the end result of the six-year long investigation regarding recruiting infractions. The team is put on probation for three years. With the removal of the 15 victories, it means that Kansas is no longer the winningest basketball program in NCAA history.

The case began with an investigation into corruption in college basketball that implicated the program in pay-for-play allegations that involved potential recruits and Adidas. Former KU players Silvio de Sousa and Billy Preston were tied to tens of thousands of dollars in illicit payments from Adidas representatives, T.J. Gassnola and James Gatto. KU’s Coach, Bill Self, denied knowing about the payments. KU was accused of five Level 1 charges. However, the Level 1 and Level 2 charges were downgraded to Level 3. Kansas got lucky as they avoided more severe penalties, like long-term suspensions, that stemmed from an FBI probe into college recruiting practices.

Coach Self says he is “eager to move forward without this cloud hovering over [their] program.” The ongoing uncertainty about the case lasted for six years and it has finally come to an end, with better-than-expected results. Self claims it to be a victory.