A lawyer for the Ayton family tried to head the chatter off at the pass. He went full “Sergeant Schultz” in denying the allegations “I know nothing … I see nothing!”:
A lawyer representing the family of Deandre Ayton called allegations involving the Arizona star freshman false and urged the FBI, the NCAA and the university to come out publicly and clear his name.
In a statement, attorney Lynden B. Rose said Ayton’s family is “outraged and disgusted” by reports that “have falsely implied that her son or his family have any involvement in illegal or prohibited activities regarding his decision to matriculate at the University of Arizona.”
…Â In the statement released on behalf of Ayton’s family Saturday, Rose said Ayton told the FBI last year “that he never discussed or solicited payments from the University of Arizona, or any other university, or any shoe company or anyone on behalf of either — period. This includes basketball and anything else.”
Sergeant Schultz of Hogan’s Heroes was notorious for being clueless. Whenever Schultz exclaimed, “I know nothing”, it was difficult to hold him accountable for the goings on at Stalag 13. In legal parlance, the Sergeant Schultz defense connotes the ability to deny knowledge of the actions of others due to lack of evidence.
Former 5-star Louisville recruit, Brian Bowen, also denied any knowledge of a $100,000 payment to his family from Louisville. Bowen has not play a game for any college team this year. His next best option may be to play in Europe or the NBA D-League. It’s awful that teenager has to be caught up in this, but this is grown man’s business. Payments in the hundreds of thousands of dollars are nothing to scoff at. Sean Miller will likely be fired over this.
The Shock Exchange finds it hard to believe Ayton will be allowed to remain on the team if Miller is fired. The NCAA will like cut Arizona’s scholarships, put the team on probation and ban the school from post-season play for several seasons. Ayton will make millions in the NBA next year. Whether reputation will remain unscathed remains to be seen.
