Kentucky Issues Statement Regarding Yahoo Report on Improper Benefits Probe

The University of Kentucky released a statement saying it will conduct an internal investigation into its program after being named in the FBI probe into college basketball corruption.

"We are aware of the report today by Yahoo! Sports," athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement Friday. "We have not been contacted by the FBI or the NCAA, but since learning of the report, we have reached out to both the NCAA and our league office. We will be conducting an internal review. At this time, we have no further comment."

Former Kentucky players Bam Adebayo and Nerlens Noel and current guard Kevin Knox are named in a report by Pat Forde and Pete Thamel based on FBI documents. The players were allegedly paid various sums by the sports agency led by agent Andy Miller in exchange for signing with his agency when they turned pro.

"I have no relationship with Andy Miller or any of his associates," Kentucky coach John Calipari said in a statement. "Neither my staff nor I utilized any agent, including Andy Miller or any of his associates, to provide any financial benefits to a current or former Kentucky student-athlete. We will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities."

Adebayo is said to have received at least $12,000 and possibly as much as $36,500. He played for Kentucky during the 2016-17 season. Noel, who played under Calipari in 2012-13, is listed as receiving a $4,350 loan from Miller's agency. The report also states Knox's father met with Miller and his associate Christian Dawkins, which he denied Friday.

"Obviously the investigation is still going on, but the only comment I can say is I've never met Christian Dawkins before or Andy Miller, and if they sat next to me at the grocery store, I wouldn't know who they were," Kevin Knox Sr. told Kyle Tucker of SEC Country. 

"Out of respect for the NCAA investigation and the University of Kentucky investigation into this, I'd just say that I've never met Christian Dawkins or Andy Miller before and leave it at that."

The university did not say whether Knox would continue to play despite the investigation. Knox is averaging 15.4 points and 5.6 rebounds for the Wildcats this season.