Louisville Freshman Brian Bowen Reportedly Cleared by FBI in Bribery Probe

Federal authorities cleared Louisville Cardinals freshman forward Brian Bowen as part of the investigation into the bribery allegations that resulted in the firings of head coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich.

Bowen's attorney, Jason Setchen, told the Courier-Journal's Tim Sullivan that Louisville can launch its own investigation into Bowen before potentially adding him back to the active roster.

"Brian and I are excited with this development and look forward to working with the university and the NCAA to clarify any concerns or issues that they have in furtherance of Brian's prompt return to competition," Setchen said.

Setchen told ESPN's Jeff Goodman that Bowen "has not done anything wrong" and that he and Bowen are confident he'll be eligible to play for the Cardinals in 2017-18.

Louisville spokesman John Karman confirmed to Sullivan that Bowen is still enrolled at the university. Sullivan added that Louisville hasn't said whether the school temporarily suspended the 2017 recruit or declared him ineligible. In the latter scenario, the NCAA would need to sign off on reinstating Bowen to the team.

Bowen arrived at Louisville as the No. 13 player in the country and the No. 4 small forward, according to 247Sports' composite rankings.

According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, the FBI alleges four men collected $100,000 to give to a recruit's family at the behest of a Louisville coach. Schlabach wrote that the recruit, who was identified as "Player-10," was likely Bowen.

Sullivan reported that phone calls implicate Bowen's father, Brian Sr., in the recruiting scheme, but Setchen said Bowen had no part in or knowledge of the plan.

The Cardinals open the season Nov. 12 at home to the George Mason Patriots. Louisville officially fired Pitino last month after having already named David Padgett Pitino's replacement on an interim basis.