Just five days ago, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters following Duke's win at Clemson that he had not paid much attention to Yahoo!'s reporting on the FBI's college basketball investigation.
He might want to take a look now.
In yet another bombshell report from Yahoo!'s Pete Thamel and Pat Forde, the Blue Devils were named as one of at least seven schools whose players and families may have received "impermissible benefits and preferential treatment." The nearly 2,000-word story details specific benefits given to several top college players of recent years, such as Duke freshman big man Wendell Carter Jr., Michigan State's Miles Bridges, Alabama's Collin Sexton and N.C. State's Dennis Smith Jr.
Carter, is listed as one of at least 10 players who met or had family that met for a meal with Christian Dawkins, a former associate of disgraced NBA agent Andy Miller who was arrested back in October as part of the FBI's initial arrests in the case.
"A Duke student-athlete was identified in a Yahoo! Sports report this morning about men’s college basketball. Duke immediately reviewed the matter and, based on the available information, determined there are no eligibility issues related to today’s report," Kevin White, vice president and director of athletics, said in a press release Friday afternoon. "Duke has already contacted the NCAA and will continue to work collaboratively with the NCAA and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Duke has an uncompromising commitment to compliance in athletics. That has not, and will not, change.”
An image of an expense report included in the Yahoo! report shows that Dawkins ate with Carter's mother at "Longhorn"—possibly Longhorn Steakhouse—in February 2016 and spent $106.36. It is unclear whether Dawkins only paid for himself or paid for Carter's mother's meal as well.
This story was updated Friday at 3:35 p.m. to include White's statement.
This is a developing story. Check back here and follow us @dukebasketball on Twitter for more updates.
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