Walton’s Gift Costs Jefferson
Richard Jefferson, starting forward for fifth-ranked Arizona, was declared ineligible for Saturday night’s 101-41 victory over St. Mary’s because of benefits he received from former NBA and UCLA great Bill Walton.
Jefferson and Walton’s son Luke, a top reserve for the Wildcats, are best friends.
According to the Arizona athletic department, the elder Walton gave his son and a group of his son’s friends, including Jefferson, tickets to attend the first game of last season’s NBA finals. Walton was a television commentator for NBC’s telecast of the finals.
Jefferson was at Walton’s home in San Diego to attend the high school graduation of Luke Walton’s brother. The university said Bill Walton apparently paid for Jefferson’s return travel to Tucson.
Even without Jefferson and suspended center Loren Woods, Arizona (5-1) handed St. Mary’s (0-5) its most one-sided loss.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
