Portland Trail Blazers rookie Sebastian Telfair said Thursday he was offered money during recruiting by someone who claimed to represent Georgia Tech but wonders now if it just a hoax.
Telfair issued a statement through his agent, Andy Miller, which elaborated on the allegations made in a book that a Georgia Tech supporter offered the point guard $250,000.
Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt and Telfair denied the claims on Wednesday. A day later, the player put a different spin on the alleged incident.
“I was approached by a man who claimed to be associated with the Georgia Tech program and offered money. I dismissed the offer,” Telfair said in his statement.
“I’ve never had contact with coach Hewitt or anyone with the Georgia Tech program regarding this incident, nor was I ever approached by anyone or offered anything at any other time. To this day, I’m not sure if it was a joke.”
Ian O’Connor’s book, “The Jump: Sebastian Telfair and the High Stakes Business of High School Ball,” says Telfair claimed he was offered the money to attend a specific school.
More on Horton
The girlfriend of Michigan guard Daniel Horton told police he abused her several times before an incident that led to a domestic violence charge against him, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Horton is scheduled for a pretrial conference Monday in connection with an altercation Dec. 10 in which his girlfriend, Michigan student Deborah Johnson, said he choked her and threw her. But police reports obtained by the newspaper showed that Johnson also reported previous incidents.
Police said Johnson told them “that she had been abused several times during their dating relationship, where Horton primarily pushed” her, and that there “were also occasions where he drug her across the floor, and had once slammed her head against a wall.”
UConn update
Connecticut leading scorer Rashad Anderson was transferred to Hartford Hospital to continue treatment for a skin abscess and won’t play Sunday against North Carolina.
THURSDAY’S GAMES
RESULTS, SYNOPSIS
N.C. State 75 at #6 W. Forest 86
Justin Gray scored 18 points, Eric Williams added 15 and Demon Deacons (20-3, 8-2) held off Wolfpack (13-10, 3-7) despite Julius Hodges’ 27 points to move into ACC 1st-place tie.
#11 Washington 95 at Oregon 88
Nate Robinson had 24 points and Will Conroy 17 as Huskies (20-3, 10-2 Pac-10) had to battle through OT to beat Ducks (11-9, 3-8), led by Jordan Kent’s 19 points and 15 rebounds.
#13 Arizona 88 at USC 76
Salim Stoudamire scored 16 of his 26 points in 1st half and Wildcats (20-4, 10-2 Pac-10) gave coach Lute Olson 300th conference victory and 18th straight 20-win season.
#14 Gonzaga 82 at Pepperdine 75
Ronny Turiaf scored 20 points and had 11 rebounds and Adam Morrison added 19 points as Bulldogs (18-4, 8-2 WCC) cruised past Waves (13-12, 3-7) despite Yakhouba Diawara’s 24 points.
Xavier 54 at #21 Cincinnati 65
Eric Hicks scored 16 points and Jason Maxiell added 15 as Bearcats (18-5) dominated depleted front line of Musketeers (11-9) in Cincinnati’s annual cross-town grudge match.
#24 Pacific 56 at Idaho 78
David Doubley scored 21 points, hitting all 5 of his 3-point shots, to lead Tigers (19-2, 13-0 Big West) past Vandals (8-15, 6-6) and to 15th straight win and 26th straight in conference.
Centenary 66 at Chicago State 63
Tyler Hamilton came off bench to score 23 points and Curtis Tillman added 15 as Gents (3-19, 1-10 Mid-Con) surprised Cougars (6-15, 5-6), who were led by Craig Franklin’s 19 points.
Tennessee St. 61 at Eastern Illinois 82
Aaron Petterson and Bobby Catchings had 15 points apiece and George Tandy and Josh Gomes 14 each as Panthers (10-13, 5-7 OVC) never trailed in beating Tigers (11-14, 6-5).
Western Illinois 55 at Oral Roberts 85
Caleb Green had season-high 31 points as well as 12 rebounds and Golden Eagles (18-5, 9-2 Mid-Con) gained revenge for earlier loss to Leathernecks (7-15, 3-8), who trailed 44-21 at half.
Oakland (Mich.) 65 at Southern Utah 67
Tim Gainey’s layup with :23 left gave Thunderbirds (11-12, 4-8 Mid-Con) win after Grizzlies (6-15, 4-6) rallied from 11 points down at halftime to tie with less than 2 minutes to play.
Cleveland State 65 at Butler 56
Omari Westley scored 7 of his 21 points in final 5 minutes as Vikings (9-11, 6-6 Horizon) used late 15-5 run to pull away from Bulldogs (9-13, 4-8), who led by 7 early in 2nd half.
Niagara 80 at Iona 95
Steve Burtt scored 26 points and Greg Jenkins had 20 to help Gaels (11-12, 7-6 MAAC) to 3rd straight victory and snap 6-game winning streak of Purple Eagles (15-7, 10-4).
N. Colorado 63 at IUPUFW 71
David Simon scored 27 points and Quintin Carouthers added 19 as Mastodons (5-19) rallied in 2nd half by shooting 52 percent from field to beat Bears (6-18).
