The NCAA will conduct a preliminary inquiry...

The NCAA will conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations of ticket-selling and cash gifts to University of South Carolina basketball players during the tenure of ex-Coach Bill Foster, Metro Conference Commissioner Steve Hatchell said.

Seven former South Carolina basketball players have said one of Foster’s graduate assistants ran a program where players could sell the four tickets they received for each home game to supporters. One player, Jimmy Foster, also said he received cash, special loans, free meals, cars and trips from boosters.

The Columbia (S.C.) Record reported that three sources inside and outside the university said the NCAA has told Metro Conference officials that they will look into reports of improprieties during Foster’s five years at South Carolina, a period that ended in 1985.