FBI Probe Uncovers ASM Agency Emails Detailing Communication About Top Recruits

Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde and Pete Thamel published the contents of emails between former NBA agent Andy Miller and his associate, Christian Dawkins, on Friday that reveal how the two networked with top college programs to circumvent NCAA rules regarding impermissible benefits. 

The emails, which were reportedly obtained by the FBI in September when it raided ASM Sports in conjunction with its investigation into bribery and corruption in college basketball, highlight how Dawkins communicated with schools to try and steer players their way. 

One of close to 25 emails the FBI found between Dawkins and Miller purportedly shows Dawkins telling Miller he was working with Michigan State assistant coach Dwayne Stephens and former Indiana assistant Chuck Martin on separate deals to send then-5-star recruit Brian Bowen to one of their programs in exchange for those schools' top prospects signing with ASM: 

"Dwayne Stephens – Trying to close the deal on Brian Bowen for Michigan State. Trying to do a trade deal for (Spartans) Gary Harris, Miles Bridges, etc"

"Chuck Martin – Trying to close the deal on Brian Bowen for Indiana. I told him if we can work together and if he can push for us to get (Hoosiers) Thomas Bryant and OG Anunoby two projected first rounders from IU this year we can work something out."

"This is the first that we've heard anything about this," Indiana athletic department spokesman J.D. Campbell told Yahoo. 

A separate email from Dawkins broke down the potential quid pro quo involved with Arizona's attempt to land Bowen. 

"Now I can't promise that this kid that they want [Bowen] is going to Arizona, but [Arizona assistant] Joe [Pasternack] told me verbatim he will help us get all the Arizona players so put his feet to the fire," Dawkins wrote.

The release of the correspondence coincided with a report from ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach on Friday that the FBI obtained a wiretapped conversation between Dawkins and Arizona head coach Sean Miller where Miller discussed paying 5-star center and projected top-five pick Deandre Ayton $100,000 to secure his commitment. 

There was also a discussion regarding former Kansas swingman Josh Jackson and payments made to his mother by apparel companies. 

"His situation is going to get done at the very end," Dawkins wrote. "UA is giving her 10k a month and she's also getting paid by adidas now—so she's plenty taken care of. She actually works all of under armours events now and talks to the parents as a 'advisor.'"

NCAA president Mark Emmert issued a statement Friday following Yahoo's initial report detailing ASM's influence with major college programs. 

"These allegations, if true, point to systematic failures that must be fixed and fixed now if we want college sports in America," Emmert said. "Simply put, people who engage in this kind of behavior have no place in college sports. They are an affront to all those who play by the rules. Following the Southern District of New York's indictments last year, the NCAA Board of Governors and I formed the independent Commission on College Basketball, chaired by Condoleezza Rice, to provide recommendations on how to clean up the sport. With these latest allegations, it's clear this work is more important now than ever."

Recruiting information via 247Sports.