Key figures in the FBI's investigation into Sean Miller, Arizona's basketball program

How Sean Miller was linked to the FBI investigation into Wildcats basketball

When news broke Friday night that an FBI source told ESPN that Wildcats coach Sean Miller had been implicated in a years-long investigation into pay-for-play of high school prospects, Miller joined a growing list of characters caught up in the NCAA’s bribery scandal.

Here’s a look at who’s involved in the investigation and what role they are alleged to have played.

Book Richardson

Emanuel “Book” Richardson was indicted in September on charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, solicitation of bribes by an agent of a federally funded organization, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, wire fraud conspiracy and travel act conspiracy. If convicted, Richardson is facing a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine. The federal indictment says that Richardson participated in a scheme involving a financial manager and sports agents and took $20,000 in bribes last summer and paid a recruit to commit to Arizona.

Jahvon Quinerly

Miller wasn’t named in the federal complaint, except for an agent’s reference that Miller badly wanted a recruit who is believed to be New Jersey point guard Jahvon Quinerly. The indictment suggests that Quinerly was the player that Richardson paid at least part of the $20,000, in exchange for a commitment to the UA.

Dawkins and Sood

Christian Dawkins, a former sports agent with ASM, and financial manager Munish Sood were indicted alongside Richardson in September. The indictment says that the men paid Richardson so that the former assistant coach would use his influence over Wildcats players to pressure them to hire Dawkins as a manager when they turned pro.

Joe Pasternack

The indictment also says that a former UA assistant, believed to be Joe Pasternack, likely had multiple conversations with Dawkins. On Friday, Yahoo Sports released a report saying that Pasternack was repeatedly mentioned in a chain of emails between Dawkins and his boss, Andy Miller, during which the two discussed recruits. The report says Dawkins told Miller that Arizona wanted a five-star recruit and said, “Joe told me verbatim that he will help us get all the Arizona players so put his feet to the fire.”

Deandre Ayton

Miller was linked to the scandal Friday night, after ESPN’s report that he discussed with Dawkins paying Deandre Ayton $100,000 to play for Arizona. 

The ESPN story didn't say if UA freshman Ayton accepted the money, but he chose Arizona over Kentucky and Kansas.