The University of Missouri’s basketball recruiting success...

The University of Missouri’s basketball recruiting success in Detroit allegedly involves at least two men described as talent brokers or agents, which could leave Missouri in conflict with NCAA rules.

Since 1983, NCAA rules have banned anyone other than a head coach and two full-time assistants from recruiting. Boosters and other school representatives have been prohibited since 1987 from contacting recruits even by phone or mail.

But the Kansas City Star-Times said 23 people independently identified Vic Adams, a volunteer with the basketball program at Pershing High School, as a representative of Missouri’s interests in the Detroit area. Adams was credited in the interviews with steering former Tiger Lynn Hardy, current starting guard Lee Coward and recruit Daniel Lyton to Missouri, the newspaper reported Sunday.

Eight people described Greg Pickett as a talent broker and a friend and junior varsity coach who guided current player Doug Smith to Missouri and played a role in Lyton’s signing with the Tigers.