Allegations of “dirty” recruiting tactics have followed Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari throughout his coaching career. Calipari has consistently signed superstar high school talent such as Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins. His ability to sign all of these high profile prospects has led many observers to question whether everything is being done according to NCAA protocol.

It should be known that there is a basis for the allegations and rumors that swirl around Coach Cal. His past is littered with brushes with the NCAA and subsequent violations. In fact the two final fours that John Calipari has coached in (UMASS in 1995 and Memphis in 2008) have technically been removed by the NCAA and the respective schools have been forced to vacate the wins from the Final Four seasons. These Final Fours were removed after NCAA investigations concluded that major rule violations had occurred. The violations into the 96’ Final Four with UMASS involved star player Marcus Camby and an agent. While the 2008 violations at Memphis involved allegations that former star point guard Derrick Rose had a stand in take his SAT for him.

So you might understand why people are a little suspicious of John Calipari and why people are cynical about the manner in which he runs his program at the University of Kentucky. Calipari has landed eight five star prospects in his last two recruiting classes with the Wildcats. This unprecedented recruiting success has once again caused many to be skeptical of John Calipari’s method of attracting top talent to play for him. Kentucky fans will sum up why people are throwing these accusations at Calipari with one word JEALOUSY. It should be known and the Big Blue faithful consistently remind everyone of the fact that the University of Kentucky’s men’s basketball program hasn’t been charged or accused of any rules violations under Calipari’s tenure as Head Coach.

As of just recently allegations against the program had only come in the form of water cooler talk from average sports fans. Recently though, Michael O’ Brien of the Chicago Sun Times made a strong statement about some alleged shady recruiting practices by Coach Calipari that infuriated the University of Kentucky.

An initial Sun-Times story that ran on Wednesday said that recruit Anthony Davis received $200,000 from someone that wanted Davis to commit to a school.

"The rumors/sources that have Davis choosing Kentucky are also alleging that the commitment cost $200,000. [Anthony] Davis Sr. has flat out denied everything."

Once this story hit Lexington the university responded by issuing a statement about the alleged $200,000 commitment and UK didn’t tread lightly in letting their anger be known about the story.

"The University of Kentucky is dismayed by the continued lack of professionalism and responsible journalism exhibited by Michael O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times in running yet another false and defamatory story on August 6, 2010, regarding the University's recruitment of a high school student-athlete," the statement read. "Both the father of this student-athlete and the University have repeatedly told Mr. O'Brien that these unsubstantiated 'rumors' are untrue. Neither the University of Kentucky nor any member of its Athletic Department has offered or paid any money or other illegal benefits to the student-athlete or his family."

Upon hearing the statement by the University the Chicago Sun-Times reacted in an unexpected way. They didn’t back down and throw O’Connor to the wayside, but rather they dug in harder than ever and stuck by their journalist.

"Sources from three separate universities told the Sun-Times that Davis Sr. asked for money in return for his son's commitment, with the amounts ranging from $125,000 to $150,000."

Just to make everything clear Anthony Davis is a 6-10 220 lb prospect in the class of 2011 from Chicago, Illinois. Davis has not yet committed to a school and is choosing between Kentucky, DePaul, Ohio State, and Syracuse. Davis’ father Anthony Davis Sr. has said that Anthony had chosen the school he wanted to attend but didn’t make his decision public.

UK has also said that they are considering taking legal action against O’Brien and the Sun-Times and that they would support any recruit or his family that should choose to do so as well.

"The University of Kentucky has put Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times on notice that these published statements are false and defamatory," the statement reads. "The University fully supports any action the student-athlete and his family may take against Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times. The University is also evaluating all available rights and remedies it may have against Mr. O'Brien and the Chicago Sun-Times in responding to these false and defamatory statements."

It should once again be made clear that these particular allegations against the Kentucky men’s basketball program are just that, allegations. The NCAA has not launched any investigation into the matter. Still it is interesting, how adamant the Sun-Times was about sticking by this story. These are serious allegations though and for Mr. O’Brien’s sake I hope there is some substance to these charges because obviously Kentucky is not just going to turn a blind eye on this issue. No legal action has been taken yet but it isn’t out of the question that it could occur in the future. As of right now this is just nothing more than another rumor swirling around a John Calipari led program.

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