It is being reported that the Baylor basketball program is being investigated by the NCAA for their involvement in the recruiting of nationally ranked junior Hanner Perea. According to the report, sources have confirmed that Baylor assistant coach Mark Morefield “sent dozens of text messages to Perea’s AAU and high school coaches in July while they were coaching events, which is against NCAA rules.” The story goes on to say that, “Morefield, according to sources, had already been suspended by the school and was not allowed to recruit on the road in July for previous texting infractions.”
In addition, a text by Morefield to Perea’s coach at La Lumiere HS, Alan Huss, has caused some controversy. The message said that if Perea, a Colombian native who transferred to La Lumiere in Indiana through the A-Hope Foundation, didn’t attend Baylor, he would be deported.
“I guarantee u if he does [commit to another school] he will be in Colombia for the spring and summer and next year. Don’t forget it,” the text message read.
Kevin Kunst, the athletic director at La Lumiere School, is quoted in the New York Times speaking on how the message will affect the school’s relationship with Baylor. Kunst made it clear that it would have an impact on “how much we have interaction with Baylor,” while also adding, “Is this what the world has come to? I understand college athletics is a serious business, and it’s a business that brings a lot of money to universities and that’s always going to bring out the darker sides of things. But this is a kid. He’s a kid, at the end of the day.”
The NCAA is expected to be on campus later this month to interview Baylor head coach Scott Drew and members of the Bears coaching staff.
