LSU Basketball

Suspended LSU head men's basketball coach Will Wade will not speak to the university about his alleged involvement in a college basketball corruption scandal until after the FBI concludes its investigation.

According to ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach, Wade's attorney, Michael G. McGovern, sent a letter to LSU President F. King Alexander and athletic director Joe Alleva to inform them of the decision.

McGovern wrote that "upon conclusion of the pending [Southern District of New York] criminal investigation, Coach Wade will be happy to meet with you and LSU's Board of Supervisors and to answer any and all questions you may have."

Wade was suspended indefinitely last week after FBI wiretaps intercepted conversations between him and Christian Dawkins, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud for funneling payments to the families of college basketball recruits.

It is believed Wade and Dawkins had conversations about LSU freshman guard Javonte Smart, who did not play in LSU's final game of the regular season against Vanderbilt because of his alleged involvement in the scandal.

In one conversation between Wade and Dawkins that was provided to ESPN and Yahoo Sports, Wade expressed frustration that his offer was not being accepted in an alleged reference to someone who represented Smart:

"I was thinking last night on this Smart thing. I'll be honest with you, I'm [expletive] tired of dealing with the thing. Like I'm just [expletive] sick of dealing with the s--t. Like, this should not be that [expletive] complicated.

"Dude, I went to [the handler] with a [expletive] strong-ass offer about a month ago. [Expletive] strong.

"The problem was, I know why he didn't take it now. It was [expletive] tilted toward the family a little bit. It was tilted toward taking care of the mom, taking care of the kid. Like it was tilted towards that. Now I know for a fact he didn't explain everything to the mom. I know now, he didn't get enough of the piece of the pie in the deal.

"It was a [expletive] hell of a [expletive] offer. Hell of an offer. ... Especially for a kid who is going to be a two- or three-year kid."

Now that Wade has opted against speaking to LSU officials until after the investigation, it is unlikely he will coach in the SEC tournament or NCAA tournament.

The Tigers are ranked No. 9 in the nation, and they hold the No. 1 seed in the SEC tournament after winning the regular-season title with a 16-2 record. LSU is set to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2015 and for just the second time in the past 10 seasons.

Wade is in his second campaign as LSU's head coach after leading the Tigers to an 18-15 mark last season.

LSU fans weren't shy about sharing their feelings Saturday night regarding men's basketball head coach Will Wade's indefinite suspension during the team's 80-59 home win over Vanderbilt.

The Tiger faithful booed athletic director Joe Alleva and shouted "Free Will Wade," among other chants. Those came in response to a Yahoo Sports story that outlined an FBI wiretap that reportedly caught Wade saying he made a "strong-ass offer" while recruiting a prospect, among other remarks.

LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander and Alleva soon released a statement, in part noting they suspended Wade "until such time as we can ensure full compliance with the NCAA, as well as institutional policies and standards."

Alleva took in the boos as he found his seat inside Pete Maravich Assembly Center:

Students also hung a large anti-Alleva banner and changed lyrics from the LSU band's songs to "Free Will Wade," per Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune:

Amie Just of the Times-Picayune tallied the fans' chants during the night:

The 26-5 Tigers won the SEC regular-season title after beating the Commodores. They are ranked No. 10 in the nation.

Wade is in his second year as the LSU coach.    

LSU freshman guard Javonte Smart will not play Saturday against Vanderbilt due to his alleged involvement in a pay-for-play scandal that is being probed by the FBI, according to Stadium's Jeff Goodman.

On Friday, LSU suspended head coach Will Wade indefinitely for his alleged role in the potential corruption scandal as well.

Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com), it was reported Thursday that FBI wire-taps captured phone conversations that allegedly featured Wade talking about "taking care of" a player and his family. Wade reportedly referred to the player only as "Smart" in the conversations.

Wade's phone conversations were with Christian Dawkins, who was convicted in October of funneling illegal payments to the families of high-profile college basketball recruits. Dawkins is known to have worked with Louisville, Kansas and NC State.

Dawkins was sentenced to six months in prison for his role in the scandal. He is also the defendant in a bribery trial set to start April 22.

In one of the conversations between Wade and Dawkins, Wade said that the third party who received the offer involving Smart wasn't happy with his "piece of the pie."

Smart has been one of the No. 10 Tigers' best players as a freshman. He is fourth on the team in scoring with 11.5 points per game and is also averaging 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Smart is also third on the team in minutes per game behind only Skylar Mays and Tremont Waters.

LSU has missed the NCAA tournament in three straight seasons and eight of the past nine campaigns. In its second season under Wade, however, LSU is 25-5 and tied atop the SEC standings with Tennessee. A win over Vandy on Saturday would help the Tigers clinch a share of the SEC regular-season title.

Smart's absence represents a significant loss for LSU, especially if he ends up missing more than just Saturday's game against Vanderbilt.

The Tigers are still heavy favorites to beat a Vandy team that is 0-17 in SEC play this season, but if both Smart and Wade are out into the SEC tournament and potentially the NCAA tournament, a once-promising season for LSU could go south quickly.

LSU has suspended head basketball coach Will Wade after an FBI wiretap was released in which he reportedly appeared to be making an unspecified offer during recruiting in 2017.

University president F. King Alexander and athletic director Joe Alleva announced Wade's suspension Friday, and assistant coach Tony Benford will take over on an interim basis:

In a text message sent to Amie Just of the Times-Picayune, Wade said there is more to the story that he is unable to talk about right now:

"Serving as the Head Basketball Coach at LSU has been the honor of my life. I love this university and all it stands for. From day one, I’ve been focused on building a winning program made up of excellent coaches and staff and a team of first-rate student athletes.

"I cannot comment at this time on various media reports, except to say that they do not begin to tell the full story. I understand the University had to take action before all the facts are in, but I would ask everyone to withhold their judgment until the record is complete.

“To my players and coaches, I support you 100%, and I will be with you in spirit as the season progresses. Your best response to this is to narrow your focus and make sure the last part of the season is the strongest part!”

Per Pat Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, the FBI intercepted a telephone conversation between Wade and Christian Dawkins discussing a "strong-ass offer" made during recruiting two years ago: 

"Dude, I went to him with a [expletive] strong-ass offer about a month ago. [Expletive] strong.

"The problem was, I know why he didn't take it now, it was [expletive] tilted toward the family a little bit. It was tilted toward taking care of the mom, taking care of the kid. Like it was tilted towards that. Now I know for a fact he didn't explain everything to the mom. I know now, he didn't get enough of the piece of the pie in the deal."

The report also notes Wade could be heard conveying frustration because "a third party affiliated with the recruitment had yet to accept Wade's 'offer.'"

Dawkins, considered a "basketball middleman with deep connections to grassroots hoops," Adidas executive James Gatto and Adidas consultant Merl Code were all convicted and sentenced to prison for their roles in an FBI probe into bribery and corruption in the NCAA. 

Gatto received a nine-month sentence; Code and Dawkins both received six months, per Larry Neumeister of the Associated Press. 

In September 2017, the FBI announced 10 arrests as part of a two-year investigation, including four assistant coaches—Anthony Bland (USC), Chuck Person (Auburn), Emanuel Richardson (Arizona) and Lamont Evans (Oklahoma State). 

Forde and Thamel reported in February 2018 FBI documents and bank records showed at least 20 Division I basketball programs and more than 20 players were involved in the pay-for-play recruiting scandal. 

Wade was hired by LSU in March 2017 after spending the previous two seasons at VCU. The 36-year-old has a 43-20 record in two seasons with the Tigers, including a 25-5 mark in 2018-19.

LSU will finish the regular season Saturday against Vanderbilt before playing in the SEC tournament, starting March 13. 

LSU Tigers head basketball coach Will Wade reportedly discussed an undisclosed "offer" for a recruit during a 2017 phone conversation with business manager Christian Dawkins, who received a six-month prison sentence Tuesday for his role in college basketball's pay-to-play scandal.

On Thursday, Pat Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports reported Wade was caught on a wiretap talking with Dawkins about a "strong-ass offer" made for a player believed to be Tigers freshman guard Javonte Smart, then a 4-star prospect.

"I was thinking last night on this Smart thing," Wade said. "I'll be honest with you, I'm [expletive] tired of dealing with the thing. Like I'm just [expletive] sick of dealing with the [expletive]. Like, this should not be that [expletive] complicated."

Wade responded to Yahoo Sports' report Thursday, via Amie Jost of NOLA.com: "I haven't read it. I don't have any comment on that. ... We'll move forward as we need to."

In February, Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com reported Dawkins' phone records showed three conversations with a number belonging to Wade between June 19 and June 30, 2017.

Smart announced his commitment to the Tigers in a Twitter post on June 30, 2017:

Wade denied any wrongdoing since taking over the Tigers program in March 2017 during an appearance on the SEC Network, per Schlabach.

"What I will say is that I'm very proud of everything I've done as the LSU basketball coach," he said. "I have never, ever done any business of any kind with Christian Dawkins."

The reported conversations between Dawkins and Wade, who allegedly stated the offer was "tilted" toward the family so the player could take care of his mom, didn't include any specifics or discussion about whether the recruit and/or his family accepted it in exchange for the commitment, per Yahoo Sports.

"The problem was, I know why he didn't take it now, it was [expletive] tilted toward the family a little bit," Wade said about a potential third-party involved. "It was tilted toward taking care of the mom, taking care of the kid. Like it was tilted towards that. Now I know for a fact he didn't explain everything to the mom. I know now, he didn't get enough of the piece of the pie in the deal."

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The Yahoo Sports report noted Dawkins declined comment via attorney Steve Haney. LSU athletic director Joe Alleva also declined to discuss the wiretap revelations, while neither Wade nor Smart's mother, Melinda Smart, replied to request for comment from Yahoo Sports.

Wade has compiled a 43-20 record at LSU, including a 25-5 mark so far this season with the Tigers currently ranked 10th in the country. He previously served as head coach of the VCU Rams and Chattanooga Mocs.

Dyteon Simpson, a 20-year-old Louisiana resident, reportedly admitted to killing LSU basketball player Wayde Sims on Saturday.

According to CNN's Kaylee Hartung, Simpson confessed to the Baton Rouge Police Department and was subsequently arrested.

Sims was shot and killed near the Southern University campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, early Friday morning.

Emma Discher of The Advocate released a video of the Baton Rouge Police Department announcing Saturday that Simpson was arrested due, in part, to DNA evidence:

The Advocate reported Sims was charged with second-degree murder.

Per Hartung, Simpson said he killed Sims following an altercation.

According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, WBRZ released a video showing several people fighting outside a restaurant. Sims was seen falling to the ground after a gunshot, and the rest of those involved fled the scene.

Sims, 20, played two seasons at LSU after a standout high school career at University Lab in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was named the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year in 2014-15.

Last season, Sims averaged 5.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Tigers.

LSU basketball player Wayde Sims died at the age of 20 on Friday due to injuries suffered in a shooting.

Per Danae Leake of New Orleans' Fox 8, Baton Rouge police confirmed Sims died after being transported to a hospital following a shooting near Southern University in Louisiana.

Leake noted the shooting occurred around 12:25 a.m. local time Friday morning. Detectives are treating the death as a homicide.

"Wayde Sims' loss is simply unbelievable to us right now," LSU vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva said in a statement. "There are no words that can express our sorrow for his parents and family. He was such a lovable young man who was full of joy. We are circling around his teammates and friends who need all the love and support we can give them. We are praying for his family, for his parents. God bless Wayde Sims."

Head coach Will Wade added: "We are all devastated. We need your prayers for Wayde, for his family, for all of us. We are heartbroken."

Sims was getting ready to start his junior year at LSU. The Louisiana native appeared in 63 games for the Tigers over the past two seasons. He averaged six points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

The NCAA is currently looking into the recruiting practices of LSU head coach Will Wade, according to Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports.

Members of the NCAA enforcement staff have been probing about the coach for the past six months, although the group is reportedly in the "exploratory and information-gathering stages" of the investigation.

Wade is in his first year with LSU after spending the previous two seasons with VCU.

The 35-year-old began his head coaching career at the Division I level in 2013-14 with Chattanooga and in his fifth season is already at a major conference program.

Although LSU is just 16-12 this season, the school has done extremely well in recruiting, both before and after Wade joined the program.

According to 247Sports' composite rankings, the Tigers had the No. 17 class in 2017 and already have the No. 3 class in 2018. The team has commitments from two 5-stars for next season, including Nazreon Reid from New Jersey and Emmitt Williams from Florida.

The NCAA reportedly has not found hard evidence of Wade's tactics, while LSU athletic director Joe Alleva explained that the school has not been notified of any recruiting missteps.

This news comes amid multiple scandals involving possible recruiting violations across college basketball. Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com reported Arizona coach Sean Miller was caught on tape discussing payments for Deandre Ayton. Thamel and Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports reported recent widespread funding of current and former players from the agency ASM Sports.

As Thamel noted, the NCAA's investigation of Wade is likely unrelated to these prior reports.

LSU got a huge boost to its 2018 men's basketball recruiting class Friday, landing 5-star power forward Emmitt Williams. 

He posted his choice of the Tigers on Twitter:

Williams is considered the No. 8 power forward and No. 24 player overall in the class of 2018, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. 

Evan Daniels of Scout broke down his game in July: "You won't find a tougher, more physical player on the Nike EYBL circuit than Williams. At 6'7", Williams plays with tremendous energy. He's active on the glass, races end to end for easy dunks and he doesn't back down from anyone."

What's even more impressive about Williams, however, is how far he's come as a player, given his relative inexperience on the court. As Adam Zagoria of the News and Observer wrote: "Williams, a former football player who looks like a middle linebacker, only started playing organized basketball in middle school and said he 'didn't start to get serious until two years ago.'"

And Williams also has displayed a desire to be a leader and team player at the next level.

"I wanna be that kid that brings that motor to the team, gets everybody on their feet and makes sure everybody is ready to play," he told Zagoria. "I wanna be that guy with the motor on the court. I wanna guard every position on the court, from 1 through the 5. The more people I can guard, the better player I am."

For a player who could rely on natural ability alone, those comments will be music to his new coaching staff's ears. That talent was on display during July's Peach Jam, when Williams posterized the top recruit in the class of 2018, Marvin Bagley III, per Overtime:

Williams' combination of talent and energy surely has LSU thrilled.

He should have an opportunity to garner a starting role right away with the Tigers set to lose senior power forward Duop Reath to graduation after the 2017-18 campaign.

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This year in college hoops there are some big names on the national scene. LSU has one talented diaper dandy who is leading the Tigers to a promising SEC season. Tremont Waters is name you must watch out for. Watch above.

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