Former Clemson forward Jaron Blossomgame mentioned in NCAA basketball scandal
The ongoing scandal in college basketball just got some new developments that will raise some eyebrows in the Upstate.
According to a Yahoo Sports report that dives deep into bank records and documents found during a federal investigation of former NBA agent Andy Miller and his former associate Christian Dawkins, big names have been linked to receiving cash advances while they were in school.
One of the names is former Clemson star Jaron Blossomgame.
According to the report, Blossomgame received a payment by Venmo while in school for $1,100.
"Dawkins filed expense reports seeking reimbursement for thousands of dollars that he reported as being paid to college and high school players and their families," the report says. "Several players, families of players or handlers received more than $1,000 in payments from ASM Sports before turning professional."
The report continues: "The documents show an underground recruiting operation that could create NCAA rules issues – both current and retroactive – for at least 20 Division I basketball programs and more than 25 players."
The report also says former South Carolina player P.J. Dozier received at least $6,115 while in school.
Blossomgame played at Clemson from 2012-2017 and was the Tigers' leading scorer three straight seasons averaging 17.7 points per game in his final season.
The six-foot-seven forward was a two-time All-ACC player. He scored 1,733 points over his career, fifth-most in Clemson history, snagged 831 rebounds, eighth-best in program history, and finished his career in the top 10 in Clemson history in starts (125), minutes (3,924), 20-point games (32), double-figure games (87), field goals (627) and free throws (383).
He was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs.
After penalties came crashing down on Louisville Tuesday afternoon after a separate scandal, causing the program to vacate a national title, Brad Brownell commented on the issue in college basketball.
"Clearly, it shows you need to do things the right way,” Brownell said. “I heard a generality of it, so I don’t know what they went into or any of those types of things, but it’s hard to go back and vacate wins and what does all that mean and taking down a banner and those types of things. But I do think there needs to be punishments for things."
"There have to be repercussions for things that aren’t being done the right way because there are a lot of people that are,” Brownell continued. “The playing field needs to be as level as it can be, so from that standpoint, I’m glad.”
It's also interesting to note that former Clemson point guard Merl Code, who was arrested previously because of this scandal is mentioned on this particular expense report. Code and several others implicated in the recruiting scandal maintained their innocence. Code is accused of bribing high school athletes in exchange for their agreement to play at certain colleges.
Brownell will meet with the media Friday afternoon, and we'll keep you updated as this story continues to develop.
You can read Yahoo Sports' report on the violations here.