NCAA’s Probe of Cotton Expands

In an expansion of an on-going NCAA investigation, the parents of incoming UCLA basketball player Schea Cotton said they were questioned Monday about whether youth-league coach Pat Barrett purchased a stereo system for a late-model car driven by Cotton.

NCAA investigator Karl Hicks first interviewed the Cottons at their home in Long Beach on Aug. 10. The Cottons said they produced documentation to prove they are paying for the leased 1997 Ford Explorer Cotton is driving.

Hicks formally questioned the Cottons for the second time Monday, this time by phone. The Cottons said he requested copies of all contracts and purchase orders connected with the stereo to prove they paid for the equipment and its installation.

The Cottons said they will continue to cooperate with the investigation.

Barrett is a long-time friend of the Cotton family. He did not return phone calls Monday.

The NCAA does not comment on its investigations. If the car stereo were purchased by a third party, it might violate NCAA rules on amateurism.

“At this point, we don’t know what do to anymore,” said Gaynell Cotton, Schea’s mother. “We’ve cooperated with them from the start, we’ve given them everything they want, but they keep wanting more. This is just unfair.

“[The NCAA has] put this lingering fog around my child. We just want them to say we’ve done nothing wrong.”

Said James Cotton, Schea’s father: “We thought this would be over by now. They asked to speak with us and we spoke with them. They asked to meet with us and we met with them.

“Then they asked for papers on the car and we gave it to them. Now this. What else is next?”

The NCAA is also examining the Ford Eddie Bauer edition sport-utility vehicle driven by Bruin freshman-to-be Baron Davis and, sources familiar with the investigation said, Davis’ relationship with Barrett as well. Cars of several other standout Southland basketball players acquired through the same dealership, Ford of Orange, are also involved in the probe.

Hicks has conducted numerous interviews this summer while shuttling between the Southland and NCAA headquarters in Overland Park, Kan.

However, Hicks has not been able to complete his investigation because some people he wants to interview are not fully cooperating, several Southland prep and college basketball sources said.

Hicks is still hoping to speak with several players and at least one associate of Barrett’s, considered a key to the investigation, before presenting a final report to his superiors.