Kentucky Players Say They Took Money

Twenty-six University of Kentucky basketball players said they received cash payments while playing for the Wildcats, according to a copyright story in the Lexington Herald-Leader Sunday.

The players said they received “$100 handshakes” in Rupp Arena after games, received as much as $500 on visits to boosters’ homes and offices and up to $1,000 each or more for their free season tickets.

The Herald-Leader interviewed 33 former players who played during the past 13 years. The players said the money came in various amounts, from as little as $20 to more than $4,000.

The newspaper said Fred Cowan, Scott Courts, Dirk Minniefield, Kyle Macy, Jay Shidler, Sam Bowie and Chuck Verderber were among those 15 former Kentucky players who said they took cash, received excessive speaking fees or sold their tickets in violation of NCAA rules. The others were Dwight Anderson, Bret Bearup, Tom Heitz, Bo Lanter, James Lee, Troy McKinley, Mike Phillips and Tim Stephens.