Mohamed Bamba accused of accepting gifts

The five-star recruit was recently accused of receiving money and other gifts for some time by half-brother Ibrahim Johnson.

Mohamed Bamba’s story just got a bit more interesting. His half brother, Ibrahim Johnson, has posted a 20 minute Facebook live video accusing Mo of accepting illegal gifts from longtime mentor Greer Love.

Posted by Ibrahim Johnson on Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Here’s what we know: Love and Bamba met while Bamba was in elementary school. Love has coached Bamba on the court, and the two have always been close.

What is not quite certain is whether Bamba has been receiving gifts from Love, and, if so, what exactly he has received. Johnson alleges that Bamba has received $200 per week for a long time.

Normally, this would constitute an NCAA violation, but since Love has known Bamba for quite some time– well before he became a future NCAA star– these gifts could be considered permissible.

Since beginning to make his accusations on Facebook, Johnson has accumulated charges from separate incidents in multiple states along the east coast, including forgery, falsification, and possession of dugs. The estranged half brother of Bamba spends a good amount of time in the video talking about himself. He details his separation from Mohamed, something he completely blames on Love, and says that he was “sized up business-wise” by NBA executives so that they could “do the nasty from [him].”

Based on Johnson’s acknowledgment of the duration of Love’s relationship with Bamba, it appears as though nothing occurred that should bar Bamba from NCAA competition. Johson’s criminal record indicates that he is, in fact, a liability for Bamba’s career. If Love did separate the two, it only serves as proof that he does have Bamba’s best interest at heart.

Lastly, it’s important to take a look at Love’s own collegiate affiliations in order to explore what one might call “The Blind Side” theory. In case you’re unfamiliar with the movie, NFL offensive lineman Michael Oher was taken in by Sean and LeAnne Tuey, two former Ole Miss athletes. Upon Oher’s commitment to play football for Ole Miss, the family was investigated for committing NCAA violations. Basically the argument was that the Tuey’s provided for Oher in order to send an athlete to their alma mater.

Love is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has reportedly never financially contributed to any university or athletic booster club. On top of that, he has financially supported other kids from Bamba’s elementary school.

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Everything to date indicates that Bamba and Love have committed no infractions, while Johnson angrily accuses them of having done so.