Poor Silvio
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@truehawk93 Please note from Mellinger’s rehash that he makes a wild assumption – that SDS did not know of the payment. It’s like saying Self didn’t know. All involved try to protect the star. It’s just speculation that SDS supposedly didn’t know. I personally think it’s likely that he did know.
Aside from that, don’t buy this narrative. And don’t focus your anger elsewhere (at Duke). Think of this logically.
First, the NCAA isn’t perfect. Don’t expect that. It never will be.
The NCAA has rules. The NCAA is a creation of the colleges. The NCAA serves the colleges. The colleges own the product. The colleges own the contracts. The colleges own the stadiums and arenas. The colleges own the intellectual property. All of this funnels through the NCAA. All of this makes a lot of money. It is a business that supports a large number of other endeavors at the colleges.
The athlete has all of the power here. All the athletes has to do is say “no.” Say “no”, I don’t want to participate in this. If that happens, then the dynamic changes. Control changes.
As with most folks involved in a choice, the individual will weigh the positives and negatives. And even with all the stuff folks say about the NCAA, it’s amazing the choice these individuals make. Actually, it’s a no brainer. The players (all sports) gain immensely and disproportionately - from education, to experience, to connections, to a venue to showcase their talents. A potential lifetime of value. No other avenue provides such a benefit. None.
“Puke” and the NCAA aren’t your enemy. The natural impulse to react on something that feels unfair is the enemy.
I know we think differently on this. I understand how this makes you feel. Seeing SDS on the bench makes me mad too. But understanding that the NCAA isn’t perfect, and that SDS is sitting there by choice, is a good starting point for this analysis.
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Let’s say for a second SDS does know of the payment. A payment that helped him fulfill his high school requirements so that he could enroll in college and play basketball asap. Does that constitute a 13 game suspension?
I believe it’s more then the payment or the idea of trying to figure did he or did he not know. His guardian, as we have discussed before could have likely cleared this all up but he could also be a dirtbag that doesnt want his other dirty laundry coming to light. Whatever the case SDS sits and maybe nobody even Self knows why at this point.
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Did DeSousa’s guardian return the money he got from Under Armour? If not, then we’re talking total benefits of over $60,000 which means DeSousa won’t play college ball again anywhere.
In the NCAA’s eyes, it’s not simply the $2,500 for the online class, it’s also the money reportedly given to persuade DeSousa to go to Maryland as well. I’m not going to hold my breath on DeSousa ever being officially cleared to play.
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Well, this is all fun to discuss, but it seems clear to me that Silvio is NOT playing because neither him nor his camp (handler) are speaking to the NCAA. If they were or have, the NCAA would have come out and clearly stated that Silvio accepted cash and would be suspended forever, or for a certain amount of games. I know crap, and i’m pissed like the rest of you, so we’ll see. Fingers crossed we’ll see him this year.
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True… and if that is the case, who thinks that $60k was just banked and available for return. So, potentially, we can see the possibility of commiting a “crime” to fix a past crime. Where would the $60k come from to repay the “debt?”
I don’t see Silvio becoming eligible unless his people become proactive to make this situation better… and that means… stepping up and fixing his “loans.” That might open the door for the NCAA to make a quick exception to their earlier comment about addressing this after the season.
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@drgnslayr I have read that the NCAA allows loans to pay the “fines” for receiving impermissible benefits, but those were far less than 60 large. Also, I believe it is not usually repayments to the provider–often they have payments to a local charity or somerhing.
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Loans from?
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@Crimsonorblue22 The school can arrange them directly with the student. The NCAA knows the kids don’t have the cash, but now they have some stipend money. Verification is pretty strict, and if the student defaults, the school can’t do it again with anyone for 4 years. Defaulting means paid off by the time set in the plan. Has to be completed by the end of the kid’s eligibility. I don’t know whether that changes based on theoretical 4 yr eligibility or if is required to be done within a single year.
http://www.ncaa.org/student-athlete-repayment-plan
http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Repayment Agreement TEMPLATE.pdf
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@mayjay so, unless they are not even looking at his case, this does not look good. He’s certainly sat long enough to cover the 2500, and we know he could have gotten a loan. Wonder why he doesn’t leave? I do think he values the education.
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@Crimsonorblue22 He probably is eating up what the coaches can teach him, too. I suspect they will finish this in time to rule him eligible for next year, and if there is a repayment plan, he will have all next year to do it. I think he would come back and get the benefit of competition before going pro, but I am no doubt in a small minority.
He is still on scholarship, right?
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@mayjay with his size and athleticism I don’t think he needs to come back. If he had a guard’s body, then yes.
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While we don’t know if SDS knew … I think we can piece this together. As @BeddieKU23 and @Crimsonorblue22 suggest, there is likely more to this.
But one possibility is that the FBI’s involvement has impacted how the NCAA handles certain situations. A $2500 issue was handled one way yesterday, and another way today. It does seem that the SDS issue goes deeper than that.
@mayjay Perhaps he learned from Billy Preston’s experiment? Staying on the bench at KU might be the better long term path.
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jayhawkcsg said:
Well, this is all fun to discuss, but it seems clear to me that Silvio is NOT playing because neither him nor his camp (handler) are speaking to the NCAA. If they were or have, the NCAA would have come out and clearly stated that Silvio accepted cash and would be suspended forever, or for a certain amount of games. I know crap, and i’m pissed like the rest of you, so we’ll see. Fingers crossed we’ll see him this year.
The NCAA can play out this eligibility issue as long as they want. If both of them did cooperate already it doesn’t mean the NCAA will make a ruling. Enough time has passed now that either they are still not ready to give an answer or KU has received an answer and they are appealing. The lack of information out there leads me to believe that everything is still being kept private until a final ruling.
Miami’s player that was also being held out just had his appeal denied yesterday. Different circumstances to Silvio but KU should be prepared for a similar fate.
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I would agree that the FBI probably has an impact on this.
IF this was just about the $2500 I would like to think a ruling would have been made.
But what if this about the shadow of doubt surrounding the 60k Maryland Booster and the 20k payback to the guardian or the alleged pro contract in Spain. That would give the NCAA plenty of reason to pump the breaks.
What if the NCAA is waiting until the spring and the other trials to try and figure out if KU assisted in this class payment to get him enrolled early?
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@BeddieKU23 the Spain contract was approved, right?
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Play Silvio once Spring classes start.
Surely sitting out for the fall semester is enough punishment for whatever. This is ridiculous.
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Crimsonorblue22 said:
@BeddieKU23 the Spain contract was approved, right?
What do you mean by approved. I’ve yet to see any news clearing this issue up. Did he actually sign it or they couldn’t conclude whether he signed it or not?
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I thought he sat out in the beginning til they figured that out?
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This is not simply $2,500. If was just a matter of the $2,500 for the online class, Silvio wouldn’t have missed a minute this year because that money would’ve already been paid back. Silvio’s eligibility also involves the $60,000 Under Armour paid to get him to Maryland. I have no reason to doubt the testimony of a man who pled guilty to his charges and said that he was in the process of giving Silvio’s guardian another $60,000 to repay Under Armour, but couldn’t do so because of the announcement of the investigation. Silvio is never going to be cleared because the money tied to his camp is a minimum of $62,500 in impermissible benefits based on my understanding of this.
The next time anyone see Silvio DeSousa play a meaningful minute of basketball, he will be wearing a professional uniform.
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Gassnola only agreed to pay SDS’s guardian 20k for the UA 60k mess they got themselves into. Gassnola also testified he never gave his guardian the cash.
The 60k is seperate from the 20. As far as we know neither the 60k or 20k have been verified to have happened. Gassnola himself said he never did give him the 20. The cloud over all these alleged events is probably delaying any decision but who knows
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BeddieKU23 said:
I would agree that the FBI probably has an impact on this.
IF this was just about the $2500 I would like to think a ruling would have been made.
But what if this about the shadow of doubt surrounding the 60k Maryland Booster and the 20k payback to the guardian or the alleged pro contract in Spain. That would give the NCAA plenty of reason to pump the breaks.
What if the NCAA is waiting until the spring and the other trials to try and figure out if KU assisted in this class payment to get him enrolled early?
Agreed … this is likely deeper. We just don’t get the flow of info.
I still think SDS waiting all season to see if he’s cleared for next year is better than bolting. If he can come back, play well, it could be the best career move.
Unlike other perspectives, I don’t fault the NCAA here for their handling of this. Heck, they could be investigating KU and Self more directly here. Any investigator worth his salt would be.
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@BeddieKU23 Under Armour paid Silvio DeSousa’s guardian $60,000 before Silvio played college ball. Gassnola had zero reason to make up the $60,000 from Under Armour because he had already plead guilty. He wasn’t saving himself during his testimony, he was ratting everyone else out to reduce his punishment for cooperating with the feds.
The issue with Silvio’s eligibility is at least $62,500 in impermissible benefits. Just because that $60,000 wasn’t from KU or to influence Silvio to KU doesn’t mean the NCAA is going to ignore that $60,000 and pretend like it didn’t happen.
Silvio’s college career is done.
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So you know for a fact he got the money, the 60k? Where you finding that
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I hope he does stick around and can play next year. However two recent cases involving Brian Bowen and Hernandez of Miami show the NCAA is not budging on eligibility even after missing a season. Bowen pursued professional avenues after being told he’d miss multiple seasons. Hernandez will miss at least this season and I cant imagine he’s coming back next year as well. I think if we continue to see this drag on, Silvio will have pressure to look for something else after the season and who can blame him. He could certainly use a full season to impress and improve his game and stock but he may not be in the position to gamble like that. Maybe he likes college and wants his education. I agree the lack of flow of info is concerning to ever seeing him suit up this season
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@BeddieKU23 I know a person who has already pled guilty to the charges against him has very little reason to lie about what he’s already pled guilty to. He’s not trying to save his own ass or throw others under the bus like the other two were.
Based on the circumstances, I have very little reason to doubt Gassnola’s testimony regarding that money so I’d put it at 95% that Silvio’s guardian got that 60k from Under Armour.
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IF (!) the allegations are even being investigated, I’d bet the guardian isn’t cooperating. Shades of Billy Preston’s mom…
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BeddieKU23 said:
I hope he does stick around and can play next year. However two recent cases involving Brian Bowen and Hernandez of Miami show the NCAA is not budging on eligibility even after missing a season. Bowen pursued professional avenues after being told he’d miss multiple seasons. Hernandez will miss at least this season and I cant imagine he’s coming back next year as well. I think if we continue to see this drag on, Silvio will have pressure to look for something else after the season and who can blame him. He could certainly use a full season to impress and improve his game and stock but he may not be in the position to gamble like that. Maybe he likes college and wants his education. I agree the lack of flow of info is concerning to ever seeing him suit up this season
Man I just really don’t know to think on Silvio’s situation. - -I just can’t figure WHY if Silvio is ineligible or if he pretty well knew - -after missing a half year last year while waiting a ruling to be eligible - WHY would he stick around so far ALL of this season if he thought he wasn’t going to be eligible . WHY ? 0 0there HAS to be something we are not hearing as far as positive news on Silvio.
I t just doesn’t make any sense for him to sit and continue to wait if he truly thought he WASN’T going to be - -I mean if he war going to be ruled eligible -then after him not being able to play half the year last year and now this - -If they screw around and he sits all year - -whether he is eligible or not - -I think for sure he will Still be gone after having to sit all year - there is going to be a time where he just says SCREW THIS and move on with his life. - I just feel/think there just has to be something positive for Silvio that isn’t being made public - -it’s not of IF - -but a matter of When… - -Yet like I say the longer this crap lingers on - -the less chance he will be here eligible OR not eligible. - -If it turns out they come down and say he has been cleared but nothing till the end of the year - - I am going to be so fricken hot. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY
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One important thing to remember is that the NCAA has not made us do anything with SDS. KU is choosing to sit SDS out of caution. It’s our choice. And that choice is made by folks with more info. The same ones that say Preston. And we now know some of that story.
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@HighEliteMajor I would agree with most of your NCAA facts in theory. But as you stated we all know your facts are never really true at this point.
You also make a huge assumption that SDS “knew.” Maybe so, but the kid is from another country. He’s not like a Ball kid or say Zion Williamson? I disagree totally, completely, and utterly with your argument that he knew. IF, IF, IF the guardian did anything which is plausible, but hasn’t been proven yet, SDS had no idea what was going on during the transaction. Those kids from foreign countries have no idea how corrupt and nasty these shoe companies can be in America. You’'re assuming guilt. You put SDS on trial, not the shoe companies. ADIDAS was the defendant, not SDS or even KU. But somehow, SDS and KU is guilty.
What was SDS going to do? Report the shoe companies and his guardian as corrupt snakes? It’s his guardian, which to a foreign national is much like a parent. Come on HEM, you’re being way too harsh. Also, didn’t SDS and his guardian in fact inadvertently report it by leaving Maryland and going to KU? Huge risks? If there was any wrong doing, why would KU risk “paying back” Under Armor? If KU in fact paid the Maryland debt, then it is KU, not SDS. If it is KU, we have a whole different problem.
But here’s another horrible reality. If SDS didn’t opt for KU, who would’ve known that SDS was in fact paid to attend Maryland by Under Armor? Please answer me that HEM. If KU is involved in providing payment, I’m horribly ashamed and will be completely embarrassed. But Emmerts has already said NO PROGRAM MENTIONED IN THE GRAND JURY WILL BE PUNISHED. But hell, let’s punish the kid. He should be playing right now until they find something. You say the NCAA is “for” the college athlete, yet SDS sits. While Zion Wiliamson’s name was brought up in the Grand Jury as demanding payment and still plays at PUKE, who is having arguably the best season of any team. Then Rat Face says the Puke lawyers and legal has cleared Williamson of any wrong doing? Really? The NCAA took their word? Yet Self sits SDS? Do you see the problem here HEM? I hope so, because I cant make it much clearer. You seem to be defending a “Not so Perfect Institution” who, in your words, will never be so. SO, you just destroyed your comment by assuming this is being handled by an “imperfect” system, yet KU is getting SCREWED by this “imperfect” institution. Why? Why is KU the only program getting the screws HEM? L’ville is the only other program and maybe St John that have paid a price. What about Zona? That went away and got swept under the rug. Also, Ayton finished out the year and played, UNBELIEVABLE. No consequences at all.
I don’t think anyone is trying to hide anything right now. But what I argue is simply a fair and thorough investigation of all programs, maybe the top 10-15 programs. You say the NCAA will never be perfect, but yet there is so much politics with other programs because of $$$$$$$$ that programs like Puke get passes everytime. You don’t get the #1 recruiting class 5-6 virtually consecutively years without something shady. By the way, guess who has the #1 incoming 2019 class? PUKE. Come on HEM open your eyes, you’re a smart bball fan. Stop trying to protect the game and symptoms of corruption and start addressing the real problem. The game is fine. It’s the programs and big companies that need punished, not the players.
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@Crimsonorblue22 Exactly. It’s like double jeopardy. Dang, how many times does the kid need to be cleared. GEESH.
Yet Zion gets cleared once and plays after being mentioned in the Grand Jury as demanding payment.
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@truehawk93 Really it’s a morals thing not NCAA. Duke vs KU. Makes it easy to see the good guys in this story. Unfortunately I don’t know that there will be a happy ending or any form of redemption.
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@dylans You can call it or claim it in the name of whatever is right and good, but as HEM so clearly stated in his response to me the NCAA is “theoretically” responsible for holding the “best interests” of the colleges and student athletes. However, in the same statement we can all unanimously agree the NCAA is “NOT PERFECT.” Yet, they are charged with keeping “best interests” in check?
What’s worse, the NCAA basically admits they are not capable of keeping “best interests” in check, so they hire the FBI. This means the FBI is the new NCAA. If the NCAA is so inadequate, incapable, and incompetent to care for the “best interests” of the NCAA and their athletes, maybe they should have a major overhaul, purpose, or responsibility. They sure can’t seem to tie their shoes at this point and it’s clear college sports are out of control.
Yet, the athlete suffers at the “rules” of the NCAA. Sorry, I don’t buy it. YES, you’re right dylans, it is IMMORAL and highly suspect at this point. So, they bring in the FBI and now Emmerts isn’t responsible for the findings. The big bad FBI takes the NCAA heat and responsibility. Emmerts saves the NCAA relationship with his money making programs, like Puke. There are no enemies, only victims…the student athletes.
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You can argue against the rules, but until they are changed it is what it is. Silvio or someone acting on Silvio’s behalf allegedly took money. Either he plays and is ruled ineligible later forcing KU to forfeit games as they cheated by playing an ineligible player. Or he sits and awaits his punishment, hopefully time served. Or he plays like Ayton at Arizona or Zion at Duke and the fans have a moral dilemma -or not depending on morals (I prefer less gray area).
Say you don’t agree with the pot laws in KS - it doesn’t make weed any more legal. Right or wrong it is the law(rule).
Unfortunately this is a situation that trying to do the right thing is excruciating painful as the NCAA won’t just rule. Just as likely the NCAA has made a ruling and KU is appealing trying to save the kids eligibility, eligibility that his guardian may have thrown away. Silvio is the unfortunate victim, but his camp may not be without fault. - the getaway driver at a bank heist gone wrong can be charged with murder too.
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Really the annoying part of the entire process is that it’s not transparent.
Not a peep from the NCAA.
And that’s ridiculous. That’s why there’s so much animosity in this thread. We are all in the dark, waiting, speculating.
None of us have any idea if Self is holding Silvio out because that’s what he feels he needs to do, or if the NCAA is behind the scenes hinting that he should do so. Self won’t tell us the whole truth.
It’s all about student athletes and their right to privacy?
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The difference I see between Silvio’s case and many others in regards to KU is that the only money given to Silvio(indirectly perhaps) was $2500 for online classes involving KU. The other money was given to his guardian to get him to go to a different school. That may leave KU guilty by association only for the 2500 which would be minor in comparison to the total paid out. I still would not take the chance to play him.
The fact Silvio allegedly went against his mentor leading him to go elsewhere (was it Maryland?) and him deciding to go to KU leads me to believe he wasn’t involved in the first payment. In the past I have assumed the player was in the know from the get go this time I have some doubt.
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Read ku sports.com sounds just like Preston. We are not pursuing it. Sounds like to me.
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Maybe I missed it… but is Maryland under the spotlight?
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drgnslayr said:
Maybe I missed it… but is Maryland under the spotlight?
Not that I’ve seen.
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HighEliteMajor said:
One important thing to remember is that the NCAA has not made us do anything with SDS. KU is choosing to sit SDS out of caution. It’s our choice. And that choice is made by folks with more info. The same ones that say Preston. And we now know some of that story.
Correct me if I’m wrong here. Isn’t this a joint eligibility review between KU/NCAA? I believe that was the official designation of this thing but its been a few months so I might need to refresh the exact details. Not that I think it matters but in the case of KU choosing to sit out SDS is it really their choice? I think it was the only choice KU had after the trial all things considered. Protect the goods (program, brand, Self etc). Too much money at stake to risk playing him right?
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jayhawkcsg said:
Really the annoying part of the entire process is that it’s not transparent.
Not a peep from the NCAA.
And that’s ridiculous. That’s why there’s so much animosity in this thread. We are all in the dark, waiting, speculating.
None of us have any idea if Self is holding Silvio out because that’s what he feels he needs to do, or if the NCAA is behind the scenes hinting that he should do so. Self won’t tell us the whole truth.
It’s all about student athletes and their right to privacy?
Great post. I believe the privacy laws prohibit both sides from talking while its on-going.
Transparency from the NCAA is fools gold. Just look at the rule book.
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Self said today there’s no movement on Silvio’s eligibility that would lead him to believe he plays anytime soon. Pretty much Nail in the Coffin at this point.
Says he “asks everyday” and the response is “working on it”.
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I won’t be surprised if SDS leaves and heads overseas like Billy did last year. There is no reason to sit on the bench and wast your time and talents. It is absolutely absurd that it has come to this, but I think SDS needs to at least be considering moving on.
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@BeddieKU23 who is working on it?
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@Crimsonorblue22 Bill said the school is working on it everyday, but he is not privy to that information.
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Woodrow said:
I won’t be surprised if SDS leaves and heads overseas like Billy did last year. There is no reason to sit on the bench and wast your time and talents. It is absolutely absurd that it has come to this, but I think SDS needs to at least be considering moving on.
As much as I think that’s a possibility Preston didn’t last long overseas, get drafted, or last long in the NBA for that matter. I think Silvio might be waiting to find out what his eligibility for next season would be before deciding on his future here.
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Crimsonorblue22 said:
@BeddieKU23 who is working on it?
Probably the same turds that worked on Diallo’s case.
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Woodrow said:
I won’t be surprised if SDS leaves and heads overseas like Billy did last year. There is no reason to sit on the bench and wast your time and talents. It is absolutely absurd that it has come to this, but I think SDS needs to at least be considering moving on.
I-have to agree with you - -I have been thinking this for awhile now. - - I really don’t understand why he still hangs around. - The only thing I can think of that some how some way that he knows he will be eligible and just waiting. - if we go through the entire season with no answer - he for sure will be gone - -eligible or no - -and I sure the hell don’t blame him
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Why would we think there is any chance he will play at this point? We lost a big and took a RS off a guard. We need the big more…and he will never get out of NCAA purgatory.
Well actually we need both, charlie is terrible!
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From the Athletic. For those that have full article may be able to elaborate.
Multiple sources have confirmed to The Athletic that Kansas is preparing to formally acknowledge to the NCAA that a violation took place, declare De Sousa ineligible and ask for his immediate reinstatement. The request is expected to be submitted to the NCAA’s Academic and Membership Affairs Group as early as this week.
