The NCAA is investigating allegations that Louisville basketball recruits were provided with prostitutes for sex during recruiting visits.
A book titled, “Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen,” spurred an NCAA investigation after the book claimed a woman named Katina Powell was hired repeatedly by former Louisville director of basketball operations Andre McGee to provide strippers and prostitutes for recruits during their recruiting visits to campus, according to an ESPN report.
Powell says she and her three daughters provided sexual services for Louisville recruits inside of player housing over a four-year period.
Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said during a Friday press conference in response to the allegations that, “To say I’m disheartened, disappointed would be the biggest understatement I’ve made as a coach.”
Louisville also released their own statement.
“In coordination with the University’s legal counsel and faculty athletics representative, Mr. Smrt’s review was quickly launched to assess the validity of the information and the potential for any NCAA rules violations. The University, on its own initiative, notified the NCAA Enforcement Staff regarding this matter and has been in regular communication with them. The University of Louisville will continue its review in full cooperation and coordination with the NCAA and if warranted, take any appropriate action. The allegations have been taken very seriously. In no way would anyone at this institution condone the alleged activities.”
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Book Publishing LLC, the company responsible for the book, tweeted a photo that is allegedly Powell with players and has said the book will name specific Louisville players that participated.
Breaking Cardinal Rules includes pix of dancers/escorts with players at what author says is #UofL dorm. Here’s one. pic.twitter.com/CB2FHk3Yan — IBJ News (@IBJnews) October 2, 2015
Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich said they were still in the process of uncovering all the facts. The NCAA has also begun interviewing individuals over the prostitution allegations including LSU freshman and ex-Louisville commit Antonio Blakeney about what his recruiting visit was like.