New evidence has come out in the form of a wiretap obtained by the FBI that shows LSU basketball coach Will Wade discussing recruitment with middleman Christian Dawkins. The recording reveals Wade talking about a “strong-ass” offer for a recruit.
“I was thinking last night on this Smart thing,” Wade said. “I’ll be honest with you, I’m [expletive] tired of dealing with the thing. Like I’m just [expletive] sick of dealing with the [expletive]. Like, this should not be that [expletive] complicated.”
The “Smart thing” is likely in reference to current LSU freshman guard and former top-50 recruit Javonte Smart. He is averaging 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds this year for the Tigers. ESPN recently reported that Dawkins had contacted a number belonging to Wade at least three times between June 19, 2017 and June 30, 2017. Smart committed to LSU via Twitter on June 30, 2017.
“Dude,” Wade continued to Dawkins, “I went to him with a [expletive] strong-ass offer about a month ago. [Expletive] strong.
“The problem was, I know why he didn’t take it now, it was [expletive] tilted toward the family a little bit,” Wade continued. “It was tilted toward taking care of the mom, taking care of the kid. Like it was tilted towards that. Now I know for a fact he didn’t explain everything to the mom. I know now, he didn’t get enough of the piece of the pie in the deal.”
Dawkins responded by saying, “Hmmmm.”
“It was a [expletive] hell of a [expletive] offer,” Wade continued. “Hell of an offer.”
“OK,” Dawkins said.
“Especially for a kid who is going to be a two- or three-year kid,” Wade said.
Dawkins was found guilty earlier this week of felony wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October along with James Gatto and Merl Code. Dawkins was sentenced to six months. Wade admitted to speaking with Dawkins last fall, but said he has never done any business with him.
Smart is part of last year’s big recruiting class by Wade that ranked 4th nationally per 247sports. His first recruiting class at LSU in 2017 ranked 17th nationally. LSU finishes the regular season at home against Vanderbilt on Saturday as they look to win their first SEC regular-season title since 2008-2009.
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