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Selby’s eligibility in question; freshman’s mom: ‘ … I don’t foresee any problems at all’
By Gary Bedore
The mother of incoming Kansas University freshman Josh Selby on Thursday responded to a CBSSports.com report that indicated her son has not yet been cleared by the NCAA to play basketball at KU because of questions about his amateur status.
“I think we all hope it gets resolved soon,” Maeshon Witherspoon told the Journal-World. “We’d like it to get resolved quickly like anybody would so Josh will be able to play.
“I personally don’t see any problems with the NCAA. Josh has not yet been cleared. I’m sure there are other kids have not been cleared as standard procedure. I don’t anticipate us having any problems whatsoever with the NCAA. I can’t control what people say. I can’t control hearsay. My statement is I don’t foresee any problems at all.”
CBSsports.com indicated the NCAA “is looking into, among other things, a relationship between Selby and Robert Frazier, the business manager for NBA star Carmelo Anthony."
Witherspoon told the Journal-World she’s already talked to the NCAA and other media outlets about the family’s friendship with Frazier, who said in an interview with the New York Times he served as an adviser to Selby in the recruiting process.
“With all due respect, I’m not talking about him (Frazier) because there’s nothing to talk about,” Witherspoon told the J-W. “I just don’t see any problems with my son.”
CBSsports.com sources said the NCAA has spent months looking into Selby’s relationship with Frazier to see whether Selby’s “amateur status has been compromised.”
The New York Times wrote a long piece about Selby and Frazier in April.
The paper reported that when a host of prospective agents were trying to talk to Selby’s mom, friends recommended Witherspoon speak with Frazier, business manager for Anthony, who like Selby, is from Baltimore.
Witherspoon, the Times wrote, “said she soon recognized Frazier from her elementary school, and now talks regularly with him.”
“Bay’s been a lifesaver; so glad we reconnected,” Witherspoon told the Times. “He’s behind the scenes providing a place for us to meet with coaches and giving so much information. He doesn’t need us. To be honest, we need him.”
Frazier, whose nickname is “Bay,” told the Times there’s been no wrongdoing. NCAA rules do not prohibit contact with an adviser.
“It’s a new hustle in Baltimore,” Frazier told the New York Times. “People think they can take a kid out for a meal or buy him something, but that’s not what I am about. I’ve had relationships with Carmelo and Josh since they’ve been young.”
KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said policy is to “not comment at all on prospects or recruits before they come to campus (in fall).”
KU coach Bill Self has been out of town and unavailable for comment. Selby is in Chicago with the adidas nations camp, working as a counselor. NCAA officials do not comment on eligibility matters.
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