In August, Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne’s name was mentioned in documents controversial attorney Michael Avenatti submitted to federal court to support his claims Nike paid players to attend schools it sponsors. According to the exhibits, Payne had a conversation with Nike EYBL director Carlton DeBose, who told the Kentucky assistant which EYBL coaches he supplied money to in order to help families of players on the popular shoe circuit.
This morning at a preseason roundtable with reporters, Kentucky head coach John Calipari was asked about Payne’s name coming up in connection to the claims. Is he concerned?