The father of top 2017 basketball recruit Brian Bowen said Thursday that he was told Arizona was willing to pay $50,000 for his son to play for the Wildcats. Brian Bowen Sr. testified during the federal trial in New York involving several college basketball figures.
According to Star correspondent Adam Zagoria and Yahoo's Dan Wetzel, Bowen Sr. also disclosed several payments he had received for his son to play high school and travel ball while detailing offers his son was receiving from colleges, according to agent Christian Dawkins.
Brian Bowen Sr. Said Christian Dawkins told him:
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 4, 2018
--Arizona offered $50,000
--Ok State $150K cash plus $8 for a car plus $ for a house
--Texas wd help with housing
--Creighton $100,000 'and a lucrative job'
--On Oregon, he said "I don't recall" a financial offer. https://t.co/9JfV4k9BsJ
Bowen Sr. said he was told Arizona would deliver $50,000 via then-associate head coach Joe Pasternack. Pasternack left UA in April 2017 to become the head coach at UC Santa Barbara.
Dawkins told him Arizona would pay $50,000 via asst coach Pasternack.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) October 4, 2018
Bowen Sr. also said that his son, nicknamed "Tugs," wanted to play at Arizona but believed that it would be hard to find minutes with both Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier returning for the 2017-18 season.
Bowen said Arizona was Tugs' favorite school but that w/ both Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins on the roster "there would've been a logjam & it would'be been tough for him to get minutes there."
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) October 4, 2018
HE said he never talked money or the $100,000 w/ Rick Pitino after picking Louisville. https://t.co/Rc5xGzBlx4
Bowen Sr. has cut a deal with the government and is immune from prosecution.
Dawkins, former Adidas executive Jim Gatto and former Adidas adviser Merl Code are all being tried on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Former UA assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson is facing similar charges in separate but related trial that is scheduled for April. Former Wildcat Rawle Alkins was mentioned in court Wednesday, and prosecutors say they expect to reference UA coach Sean Miller and former star Deandre Ayton in the coming weeks.
The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday.
