Baylor coach Scott Drew and the Bears men’s basketball program are being investigated by the NCAA for their involvement in the recruitment of a high school player from Colombia, sources have told FOXSports.com.
Attorney Jim Darnell, who also represented former USC and current UTEP coach Tim Floyd in dealings with the NCAA, confirmed to FOXSports.com he was hired by Drew in September.
FOXSports.com has also confirmed through sources that the NCAA is expected to be in Waco later this month to interview Drew and members of the Bears coaching staff. NCAA representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
Drew declined to comment when contacted by FOXSports.com.
The ongoing investigation surrounds the recruitment of 6-foot-9 Hanner Perea, a junior from Colombia who transferred to LaLumiere High School in Indiana.
Multiple sources confirmed that Baylor assistant coach Mark Morefield sent dozens of texts to Perea’s AAU and high school coaches in July while they were coaching events, which is against NCAA rules.
Morefield, according to sources, had already been suspended by the school and was not allowed to recruit on the road in July for previous texting infractions.
Morefield also sent a text to LaLumiere coach Alan Huss, which was obtained by FOXSports.com, saying that if Perea didn’t go to Baylor, he wouldn’t be back in the United States.
"I guarantee u if he does [commit to another school] he will be in Colombia for the spring and summer and next year. Don’t forget it,” the text said.
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