Arizona Wildcats freshman Deandre Ayton was deemed eligible to play Saturday against Oregon, in part because the UA β or at least an outside counsel hired to investigate the basketball program β believes he did not take a bribe to play at Arizona.Β
Attorney Paul Kelly issued a statement to the Star and other media on Sunday saying that the reports of Ayton involved in a pay-for-play scheme are "false and unfounded." Ayton has been interviewed by the UA, NCAA, FBI, Pac-12 and the independent counsel of Steptoe and Johnson, Kelly said.
"In each of these interviews, Mr. Ayton has credibly and consistently that neither he nor any member of his family, nor any representative thereof, received any money or extra benefit to influence his decision to attend the University of Arizona," Kelly said. "Not a shred of evidence has been adduced suggesting otherwise, which federal investigators and the NCAA officials have acknowledged."Β
Kelly informed the UA on Sunday that he planned to issue the statement on his own. Kelly's statement concludes with his opinion that Ayton is "an outstanding an honorable young man who has been truthful and cooperative in all our dealings with him."Β
The Ayton family's attorney issued a similar statement Saturday, shortly after the center was deemed eligible by the UA and a day after an ESPN report said Sean Miller discussed paying $100,000 to land the 7-foot Bahamian. Ayton's family said its "outraged and disgusted" by the allegation, which has put Miller's future at the UA in question. Miller did not coach Arizona in Saturday's game, and returned home separately from his team.Β
The Wildcats are also without guard Allonzo Trier, who is ineligible after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The UA plays Stanford on Thursday in McKale Center.Β
