Steve Kerr ‘just disappointed' Arizona caught up in payment scandal

Share

OAKLAND -- Steve Kerr walked into the interview room Saturday afternoon, praised Kevin Durant for his philanthropy and then invited the inevitable.

“Who wants to ask me about Arizona?”

Kerr knew the question was coming. He spent four years playing basketball for the University of Arizona and received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1988. And as a member of the Alumni Association, he remains close to the school now embroiled in scandal.

“Just disappointed,” Kerr replied. “That’s my school. I love my school. I don’t really know what else to say.”

Arizona coach Sean Miller and members of his staff have been identified as arranging payment to secure commitments from recruits, according to reports by ESPN and Yahoo! Sports.

One report specifically cites a phone call between Miller and someone acting on behalf of former NBA player agent Andy Miller, with the two parties discussing a payment of $100,000 to get coveted recruit DeAndre Ayton to sign with Arizona.

The information was obtained through an FBI wiretap, according to the report, which is ongoing. Though Sean Miller reportedly will not coach the Wildcats during their game at Oregon on Saturday, Ayton, a potential No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, was expected to play.

One of Kerr’s assistants, Bruce “Q” Fraser, also was a member of the basketball team at Arizona in the mid-1980s.

Contact Us