ATER MAJOK LINKED TO AGENT IN MILES CASE

March 26, 2009


By Zach Smart

On the court, UConn has mastered the art of playing above the law.

Unlike the 1993 and 1996 Chicago Bulls, however, it's not due to preferential treatment from the boys sporting the zebra shorts. Let's not forget, Jim Calhoun wasn't too happy with one ref (apparently longtime Big East official Mike Kitts) when UConn suffered a bruising, black-and-blue brand of loss on Feb. 16 at the XL Center in Hartford against Pittsburgh.

While the Huskies have imposed their will and inside physical firepower on teams--thanks mainly to the tandem of monster bigs Hasheem Thabeet and Jeff Adrien--they've steered clear of foul trouble.

On the court, that is.

Off the court, allegations of potentially significant recruiting violations have made the Huskies look more like "cheetas," as they say on 125th St.

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If this Yahoo! Sports investigation comes to fruition and Calhoun and former UConn assistant Tom Moore--the aloof character who was paid a king's ransom to take over an ailing small Division-I program in Quinnipiac in 2007--are nailed....

Well, one legacy is tainted while another up-and-coming coach's reputation is severely dented.

According to a recent report by espn.com, since-expelled forward Nate Miles isn't the only player who UConn pulled dangerous strings to reel in.

Josh Nochimson, who's charged with providing Miles with representation, lodging, and so on is reportedly connected to UConn freshman Ater Majok as well.

Majok, a 22-year-old (and I thought I was the only dude to finish college late!)., a top prospect from the Sudan via Australia, was supposed to play this season.

Due to NCAA clearinghouse rules, however, Majok's 6-foot-10 frame was relegated to the bench.

Nochimsom, a sports agent and former team manager at UConn, allegedly catered to Majok.

ESPN's report states that Nochimson personally got Majok into a high school all-star game, the Kentucky Derby Festival in Louisville, Ky., last spring.

He provided him with transportation and freed up a spot for him with his influence, the report indicates.

Ironic that the two players that UConn bent the rules to reel in have not registered a second in a UConn game this season.

Majok will not be eligible to play until December.

Majok's youtube clip makes him out to be the second coming, while coach Ed Smith--who coached Majok in Australia and has been with him on several visits to UConn talks about what a special player he could potentially be.

Calhoun was not his usual mad dog self in the aftermath of allegations.

He was serene and meek when approached by the media, choosing to instead focus on the pivotal game against Purdue.

"The student-athlete (Miles) is not involved with our program, he was cleared by compliance people, an outside source-a legal source-and the NCAA," explained Calhoun.

"Something was written. We take very seriously our responsibility as NCAA members."

The loquacious, longtime Husky coach continued, "All I know is to go forward, stand up and be counted. That's exactly what I plan to do, and get my team as ready as I possibly can to play Purdue (tonight). That's what I know how to do.

This is nothing short of a royal mess.

Of intriguing note, however, is that two of the Yahoo.com writers who unraveled the report--are former UConn beat writers.