NCAA Charges Kentucky Basketball With 17 More Violations

The University of Kentucky basketball program has been charged with 17 allegations of rule violations by the National Collegiate Athletic Assn., including claims of academic fraud and offers of cash to recruits, school officials said Saturday in Lexington, Ky.

The allegations also include charges of improper use of the plush Wildcat Lodge for basketball players, improper use of the university’s summer basketball camp, improper transportation of a potential recruit, and a member of the basketball staff providing false and misleading information to NCAA investigators.

The NCAA on July 22 charged that assistant coach Dwane Casey sent $1,000 to the father of Chris Mills of Fairfax High School, now a Kentucky freshman. The NCAA then said it would file about 10 additional allegations within 30 days.

The delay in the additional violations was because investigators found more alleged wrongdoing than expected, university President David Roselle said.

The university was given 60 days to respond to the allegations, after which it will be given a chance to defend itself before the NCAA Infractions Committee.

“Today I am a man of mixed emotions,” Kentucky basketball Coach Eddie Sutton said. “I am excited about the first day of basketball practice and the start of a new season. But I am obviously concerned over the content of the NCAA allegations.”

Kentucky opened fall practice with its traditional “Midnight Madness” session at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.