TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The University of Arizona is self-imposing a one-year ban on its men's basketball team after an NCAA investigation found some members of its staff "displayed serious lapses in judgment," according to a statement from the university Tuesday.
The university released a statement on its decision:
“The University of Arizona is self-imposing a one-year postseason ban on the UA Men’s Basketball program as a proactive measure in its ongoing NCAA enforcement process. The decision is an acknowledgement that the NCAA’s investigation revealed that certain former members of the MBB staff displayed serious lapses in judgment and a departure from the University’s expectation of honest and ethical behavior. It is also in accord with the penalty guidelines of the NCAA for the type of violations involved. This decision also reinforces the institution’s commitment to accountability and integrity as well as serving the best long-term interests of the University and the Men’s Basketball program.”
In October, reports indicated the NCAA charged UArizona with nine total allegations, five of which are Level 1 violations, in connection with the arrest of Book Richardson -- a former UArizona basketball coach. Richardson pleaded guilty that he accepted $20,000 in bribes to coax Arizona basketball players to hire aspiring agent Christian Dawkins. Richardson spent three months in federal prison in accordance with a plea agreement.
Another former assistant coach, Mark Phelps, was placed on leave by UArizona after he reportedly tampered with a recruit's transcript and paid for a plane ticket for a student-athlete.
The allegations were set to be heard by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process, the NCAA said earlier this month.
"I understand and fully support the University’s decision to self-impose a one-year post season ban on our Men’s Basketball program," UArizona head coach Sean Miller said in a statement with the university. "Our team will remain united and aggressively compete to win a PAC-12 championship.”
