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USC violation alleged Junior college coach says he was offered money
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- College of Southern Idaho men's basketball coach Derek Zeck allegedly was offered money to help the University of Southern California recruit one of his players. Zeck said on Wednesday that the offer came from USC assistant coach David Miller when Southern Idaho visited the Adidas Double Pump camp July 28-30 on the campus of California State University at Northridge. Miller allegedly asked Zeck to help USC recruit Southern Idaho forward Jerry Dupree, a 6-foot-7 sophomore. "He said, 'I'll write you a check to donate to your booster club to recruit and get Jerry,'" Zeck said. "I said, 'I don't do that.'" Such a payment would violate NCAA rules. Paul Goldberg, USC's assistant sports information director, said it was the first time he had heard the allegation. He said USC coaches were barred from discussing any matters regarding recruits. Wally Renfro, the NCAA's public relations director, said that without details about the incident he could not discuss possible penalties if the allegation were proven. Zeck said he considered reporting the alleged offer to the NCAA immediately, but did not want to deal with the distraction of an investigation. Dupree left Southern Idaho last week. Reached by phone in California on Wednesday, he said he was enrolling at San Bernardino Valley College, which like Southern Idaho is a two-year school. John Smith, an assistant coach under Zeck last season, now is San Bernardino Valley's head basketball coach. But Smith said Dupree will not play for San Bernardino, thereby preserving three years of college basketball eligibility.
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