Extra-benefits scandal: coach Josh Pastner accused by jilted friend Ron Bell
Bell said Pastner knew about the benefits
Ron Bell, a longtime friend of Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, has told CBS Sports he's the person who provided benefits in violation of NCAA rules to Georgia Tech players Josh Okogie and Tadric Jackson.
According to the school, Jackson accepted benefits totaling less than $525 while Okogie accepted benefits totaling less than $750 but, according to Bell, it doesn't tell the full story.
Via CBS Sports:
Bell turned over documents to CBS Sports that show he spent $233.40 on a plane ticket for Okogie, sent him three pairs of shoes totaling around $444 and ordered him two shirts totaling $56. Bell also provided CBS Sports with documents that show he spent $233.40 on a plane ticket for Jackson, sent him two pairs of shoes totaling around $271 and ordered him Knicks apparel worth $80. Those documents add up to around the estimates Georgia Tech self-reported, and any incongruities could be chalked up to estimation differences, which are allowable by NCAA rules.
He said he also spent "about $500" on groceries for the players when they stayed at his house from May 9-13, and he provided photo evidence of Okogie and Jackson in his swimming pool. The NCAA should also be considering, he said, a 220-mile roundtrip ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Bell's house in Tucson, which Bell said he provided for both players, as an impermissible benefit. And after adding up other various expenses, including a $120 meal Bell said he had with Okogie and Jackson at a Houston's in Atlanta, the 51 year-old who works in the real estate business concluded he's definitely given Okogie more than $750 and Jackson more than $525 in impermissible benefits.
Asked if he ever provided impermissible benefits to a Memphis player, Bell said he sent "about $300" in gift cards to Markel Crawford "for groceries." Bell provided a document to CBS Sports that shows he also sent a pair of Nikes to Crawford last February, during Tubby Smith's first season at Memphis, that cost $117.99.
According to the school, Jackson accepted benefits totaling less than $525 while Okogie accepted benefits totaling less than $750 but, according to Bell, it doesn't tell the full story.
Via CBS Sports:
Bell turned over documents to CBS Sports that show he spent $233.40 on a plane ticket for Okogie, sent him three pairs of shoes totaling around $444 and ordered him two shirts totaling $56. Bell also provided CBS Sports with documents that show he spent $233.40 on a plane ticket for Jackson, sent him two pairs of shoes totaling around $271 and ordered him Knicks apparel worth $80. Those documents add up to around the estimates Georgia Tech self-reported, and any incongruities could be chalked up to estimation differences, which are allowable by NCAA rules.
He said he also spent "about $500" on groceries for the players when they stayed at his house from May 9-13, and he provided photo evidence of Okogie and Jackson in his swimming pool. The NCAA should also be considering, he said, a 220-mile roundtrip ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Bell's house in Tucson, which Bell said he provided for both players, as an impermissible benefit. And after adding up other various expenses, including a $120 meal Bell said he had with Okogie and Jackson at a Houston's in Atlanta, the 51 year-old who works in the real estate business concluded he's definitely given Okogie more than $750 and Jackson more than $525 in impermissible benefits.
Asked if he ever provided impermissible benefits to a Memphis player, Bell said he sent "about $300" in gift cards to Markel Crawford "for groceries." Bell provided a document to CBS Sports that shows he also sent a pair of Nikes to Crawford last February, during Tubby Smith's first season at Memphis, that cost $117.99.
N. Lupo
@NicolaLupo99
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