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LSU coach, Will Wade, says he should be allowed to train, even though he refuses to sit down to discuss his relationship with the convicted intermediary, Christian. Dawkins, until the end of the federal government's investigation into corruption in college basketball.
"Last week, when the University decided to place me on administrative leave, I accepted the decision without complaining, knowing that they wanted to have time to think about the burst of reporting in the media, "said Wade in a statement. "With the benefit of a week to review the circumstances, I think that university officials should allow me to resume my duties."
His claim comes one day after the letter from Wade's lawyer, Michael G. McGovern, in New York, to the SSU Chancellor, F. King Alexander, to Sports Director, Joe Alleva, and to D & ## s 39; others.
He stated that "at the end of the pending proceedings [Southern District of New York] Criminal investigation, coach Wade will be happy to meet you as well as the LSU Supervisory Board and answer all your questions
Wade's refusal to discuss what he said to Dawkins during phone calls intercepted by the FBI's wiretaps likely means that he will not be coaching at this week's SEC tournament, nor any of the No. 9 Tigers matches at the upcoming NCAA tournament.
LSU confirmed this in a statement from its vice president for legal affairs and its general council.
"Coach Will Wade has not yet denied any wrongdoing or publicly," said Thomas Skinner. "Apart from that, the university finds itself in a very difficult position with respect to meeting the requirements of the NCAA, and until coach Wade speaks to the management of the NCAA. At the university, he remains suspended and offers him a permanent offer, as well as his lawyers, to meet with LSU officials. "
LSU officials suspended Wade and appointed acting coach Tony Benford on Friday after Wade refused to discuss news reports about his involvement in so-called paid gaming deals.
"In this case, the truth is that I was put on leave because I exercised my right not to submit to a joint LSU / NCAA interview on the same subject at issue in a criminal trial. federal government in New York, "said Wade. says in the statement. "My legal counsel has informed the University that it would be totally inappropriate for me, or for anyone, to undergo an interview under these circumstances."
Last week, ESPN and Yahoo Sports reported that in one of the calls intercepted by the FBI's wiretaps, Wade had expressed his frustration over his inability to close what he described as a "fierce offer" "for a recruit.
According to people familiar with the calls, Wade would have been frustrated by the current head of Javonte Smart, the current LSU goalkeeper, then one of Baton Rouge's top 50 recruits.
Smart did not play in the LSU win 80-59 over Vanderbilt on Saturday night that won the SEC's regular season title for the Tigers. His status for the playoffs remains uncertain.
"I was thinking about that smart thing last night," Wade told Dawkins on one of the calls. "I'm going to be honest with you, I'm [expletive] tired of dealing with the thing. As I am just [expletive] sick of dealing with the s —. Like, that should not be that [expletive] complicated."
"Dude," Wade continued during the call, "I went to [the handler] with a [expletive] offer strong-ass about a month ago. [Expletive] strong.
"The problem was, I know why he did not take it now." [expletive] tilted towards the family a little. It was to take care of the mother, the child. As if it was inclined towards that. Now, I know for a fact that he has not explained everything to the mother. I know now that he did not have enough of the cake in the case.
"It was a [expletive] a hell [expletive] offer. Hell of an offer. … especially for a child who is going to be a child of two or three years old. "
In another phone call with Dawkins, Wade joked that the player would be better paid than the "rookie minimum".
Wade told Dawkins that he had made agreements "for players as good as him" that were "much simpler than that".
Steven Haney, Dawkins' attorney, told ESPN that he planned to assign Wade, Sean Miller, of Arizona, and possibly other coaches to testify. at a federal criminal trial in New York on April 22. Dawkins and Merl Code, a former Adidas consultant, are accused of corrupting the assistant coaches to entice their players to sign with the new sports agency Dawkins, once turned professional.
"Refusing to be interviewed was a difficult decision for me because I would like to cooperate fully with all parties, especially LSU," concluded Wade in his statement. "To be clear, however, all I have done is follow the careful advice of my lawyer to exercise my constitutional rights to due process." Given these facts, I do not think it's appropriate that I be relieved of my duties.
"We have an excellent basketball program made up of excellent student athletes and quality coaches, players who have donated everything to this institution, dedicated students and alumni of LSU, as well as fans across Louisiana and beyond deserve to see The team fills its destiny.I like LSU and all that it represents.What I ask is the right to do my job while exercising my constitutional rights, I do not think that's too much to ask. "
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