Bill Self rips NCAA for ‘mean-spirited and vindictive’ Silvio De Sousa punishment
The NCAA ruled Friday that Kansas player Silvio De Sousa will now be allowed to play for the remainder of this season or the next one after his guardian took benefits from an agent.
In a statement, the NCAA found that De Sousa’s guardian had taken $2,500 from an agent and Kansas booster to secure the player’s enrollment at the school, adding that an additional $20,000 would be provided. Under NCAA rules, a player is responsible for the actions of any third party acting on their behalf in a recruitment process, even if they are unaware of any wrongdoing by the third party.
That did not sit well with Kansas, particularly coach Bill Self. He called the NCAA’s ruling “mean-spirited and vindictive” and vowed to support De Sousa, adding that the player himself did nothing wrong.
KU releases statement. AD Jeff Long says school will appeal. Says he's "shocked and incensed" by NCAA decision. pic.twitter.com/0FgXnvPFKh
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) February 1, 2019
The anger stems from a the fact that De Sousa hasn’t played all season as the NCAA investigated the allegations, as well as the fact that De Sousa himself has never been accused of wrongdoing, only his guardian, who appears to have taken advantage of him. Ultimately, De Sousa’s career will undoubtedly be harmed by allegations that come with no proof of his own involvement, and that’s not fair.
