Georgia Tech Basketball: Self-reported NCAA violations in question
Georgia Tech Basketball Coach Josh Pastner claimed no knowledge of the benefits leading to the suspensions of Tadric Jackson and Josh Okogie. A long-time friend of Pastner’s, Ron Bell, told Gary Parrish of CBS otherwise.
Gary Parrish of CBS Sports.com reports Ron Bell provided the benefits violating NCAA rules to Georgia Tech basketball players Josh Okogie and Tadric Jackson.
Georgia Tech suspended Jackson and Okogie indefinitely and self-reported the violations to the NCAA. Tech said that the person was responsible for all violations was neither a booster nor a Georgia Tech employee.
According to the account given by Ron Bell to Parrish, he may not be an employee or booster. Bell is, however, a longtime friend of Georgia Tech Head Coach Josh Pastner.
Parish reports that Bell claims he spent $500 on groceries for Jackson and Okogie and provided photo evidence of Okogie and Jackson in his swimming pool. He also provided a 220-mile round trip ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Bell’s house in Tucson. Bell concluded, “he’s definitely given Okogie more than $750 and Jackson more than $525 in impermissible benefits.”
About the Georgia Tech claim that Jackson and Josh Okogie received $750 and $525 in impermissible benefits, Parrish quoted Bell, “It’s not even close.”
From Parrish:
"Georgia Tech officials said last week that Pastner, the reigning ACC Coach of the Year, had no knowledge of the violations until Oct. 2, and that he immediately self-reported them to Georgia Tech’s compliance office. Asked if that’s true, Bell told Parrish “Pastner ‘100 percent’ knew Okogie and Jackson were staying four nights at his home while it was happening.”"
CBS Sports inspected Bell’s online records. Pastner spoke ten times on Oct. 2, the day Pastner self-reported to Georgia Tech. Bell claims Pastner self-reported because he felt Bell may expose the violations and their relationship.
"“And basically what [Pastner] told me is, ‘Nobody is going to believe you because you were in prison, and I’ve never been to prison, and I have a great reputation, and I don’t cheat,'” Bell said. “And I said, ‘You don’t cheat?’ Yes, you do. Yes, you do.'”"
Why did Bell turn?
After being pressed by Parrish, Bell’s response reveals someone who feels slighted and poorly compensated for his help and friendship.
Is Bell’s account reliable?
Bell’s friend and former Georgia Tech point guard Kenny Anderson said he does not believe Bell would fabricate such a story.
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Georgia Tech told CBS Sports, “Georgia Tech highly prioritizes NCAA compliance and will investigate any allegations regarding NCAA rules violations thoroughly.”