Report: Kansas to Request Silvio De Sousa Be Reinstated by NCAA

Kansas is reportedly set to acknowledge an Adidas consultant paid Silvio​ De Sousa's guardian $2,500 and ask the NCAA for his immediate reinstatement.

Seth Davis of The Athletic reported Kansas came to the conclusion following a three-month investigation into the matter. The school plans to acknowledge De Sousa's compromised amateurism, declare him ineligible and appeal to the NCAA’s Academic and Membership Affairs Group to have him reinstated.

Kansas coach Bill Self announced in October that De Sousa would not play for the Jayhawks until the school completed an investigation into his eligibility. T.J. Gassnola testified he gave De Sousa's guardian $2,500 in order for him to commit to Kansas during a federal fraud trial on college basketball corruption.

"Information was presented during the current trial in New York—some of which we knew, some which we didn't," Self said in a statement at the time. "We have decided to withhold Silvio from competition until we can evaluate and understand the new information."

Gassnola and Adidas executive James Gatto were also involved in a $90,000 payment to former Kansas player Billy Preston.

The $2,500 payment to De Sousa was allegedly made to get him out of a similar pay-to-play agreement with Maryland.

De Sousa was the nation's No. 32 prospect in the 2017 class, per 247Sports. He did not sign his letter of intent with the university until November 2017 and did not enroll at Kansas until January 2018—well into the 2017-18 campaign.

De Sousa appeared in 20 games for the Jayhawks, averaging 4.0 points and 3.7 rebounds in a minor role off the bench. The Jayhawks expected him to help lead their frontcourt this season.

Davis noted De Sousa has already been suspended for more than 30 percent of the Jayhawks' season, which is the typical punishment for a player who receives an improper benefit similar to De Sousa's. The 6'9" forward has remained enrolled with the university and has practiced with the team despite the suspension. 

It's possible Kansas could wind up having to forfeit any games De Sousa previously played in, which would include the team's 2018 Final Four run.