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Clemson assistant basketball coach Steve Smith was caught on FBI wiretap discussing the recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and potential payments to his family. In the video, Smith also mentions Clemson's football program, saying, That's why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight. The university responded to the developments, stating that they would “immediately conduct a review” of the situation. The wiretap was part of an FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball, with Clemson basketball and football being dragged into the federal trial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Assistant Coach | Steve Smith |
| Topic of Conversation | Recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and Clemson's football program |
| People Involved in the Conversation | Agent Christian Dawkins and an undercover FBI agent |
| Nature of Conversation | Potential payments to be made to Zion Williamson's family and Clemson's recruiting methods |
| Year | 2017 |
| Month | July |
| Day | Not Specified |
| Organization Involved | FBI |
| Type of Recording | Video wiretap |
| Outcome | Clemson to conduct a review |
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What You'll Learn
- Clemson basketball assistant coach Steve Smith was caught on FBI wiretap
- Smith discussed Zion Williamson's recruitment and payments to his family
- Clemson Athletics said it would review the matter
- Clemson's football program was mentioned in the wiretap
- Smith previously coached at Georgia Southern and USC Upstate
Clemson basketball assistant coach Steve Smith was caught on FBI wiretap
Clemson University was drawn into an FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball in 2019. Clemson men's basketball assistant coach Steve Smith was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing the recruitment of Duke basketball star Zion Williamson and potential payments to his family. The wiretap also revealed Smith talking about Clemson's national championship football program.
In the video, Smith is heard saying, "That's why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight." He also mentioned Clemson's small-town location, saying, "It's a small college town. You can come to a game one night, after the game, you see a dude out there in a nice-looking suit, you like, 'wait a minute now.'"
The wiretap was played in a New York courtroom during the criminal trial of Christian Dawkins, an agent, and Merl Code, an amateur basketball coach and former Clemson basketball player. Both were charged with paying bribes to assistant basketball coaches to help secure NBA-bound players as customers. Clemson Athletics released a statement saying they were aware of the developments and would conduct a review.
Steve Smith had been an assistant coach at Clemson for seven seasons, joining the Tigers prior to the 2012-13 season. Before Clemson, he had coaching stints at Georgia Southern and USC Upstate and played college basketball at Morgan State before serving in the Army from 1994 to 2000.
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Smith discussed Zion Williamson's recruitment and payments to his family
Clemson men's basketball assistant coach Steve Smith was caught on FBI wiretap in July 2017 discussing the recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and "potential payments to be made to Zion Williamson's family". Smith was recorded talking about Clemson's national championship football program, saying, "That's why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight."
In the recordings, Smith discusses a clandestine meeting with Williamson's stepfather, who was also the coach of Williamson's grassroots team with Adidas. Smith references how familiar he was with Williamson, even recalling a story about pretending not to know where he was going the first time he and Clemson head coach Brad Brownell visited. Smith was there to sell himself and his connections. Williamson was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
According to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, Christian Dawkins, who was charged with wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy, was also recorded on the wiretap saying, "Duke is gonna have their resources. UNC is UNC. Kentucky is gonna have their resources." Marty Blazer, a witness in the trial, testified that he understood Dawkins to be saying, "Duke, UNC, and Kentucky will have people in place to pay whatever's necessary for Zion Williamson. Whatever Zion Williamson's family needed, we would be able to step in and [help with money] if it was close."
The University released a statement saying, "We are aware of the developments in federal court today involving one of our men’s basketball assistant coaches. We take this matter seriously and will immediately conduct a review." Clemson's Board of Trustees scheduled a meeting to discuss contractual changes for men’s basketball assistant coaches and other sports coaches and directors.
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Clemson Athletics said it would review the matter
Clemson Athletics has been caught up in an FBI investigation into corruption in college basketball. Clemson men's basketball coach Steve Smith was caught on an FBI wiretap discussing the recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and the Clemson football program. Clemson Athletics issued a statement saying, "We are aware of the developments in federal court today involving one of our men’s basketball assistant coaches. We take this matter seriously and will immediately conduct a review."
The statement from Clemson Athletics indicates that they are treating the matter with the gravity it deserves and are committed to getting to the bottom of it. They recognize the seriousness of the allegations and the potential impact on the institution. Clemson Athletics' response is a responsible and necessary step in addressing the issue. It demonstrates their commitment to upholding the integrity of their athletic programs and ensuring any wrongdoing is addressed and rectified.
The review process will likely involve a thorough examination of the evidence, including the wiretap recordings and any other relevant information. Clemson Athletics may also seek to interview those involved, including Coach Smith and any other individuals implicated in the investigation. The review will aim to determine the extent of any misconduct, identify any violations of rules or laws, and assess the impact on the institution and its stakeholders, including students, staff, and alumni.
The review is expected to be comprehensive and impartial, conducted by individuals or entities with relevant expertise and independence. The findings of the review will be critical in determining the appropriate course of action for Clemson Athletics. Depending on the outcome of the review, Clemson Athletics may implement a range of measures, including disciplinary actions, policy changes, and improved oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The review process initiated by Clemson Athletics is a positive step towards accountability and reform. It demonstrates their commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fairness in their athletic programs. The review will help ensure that any wrongdoing is addressed appropriately and that necessary changes are made to restore trust and confidence in Clemson Athletics.
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Clemson's football program was mentioned in the wiretap
Clemson University's basketball and football programs were mentioned in an FBI investigation and subsequent federal trial in New York in 2019. Clemson's Board of Trustees met to approve several new contracts in the athletics department, including a new deal for head football coach Dabo Swinney. Clemson men's basketball coach Steve Smith was caught on a wiretap discussing the recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and potential payments to his family. Smith also referenced similar "pay-to-play" arrangements involving Clemson's football program, which had appeared in the College Football Playoff four years in a row and won national titles in 2016 and 2018.
According to Smith's comments on the wiretap, the success of Clemson's football program was due to its ability to "use resources" and "keep everything tight" in the small college town. Government witness Marty Blazer, a former financial advisor caught up in the #HoopsGate scam, interpreted this to mean that Clemson boosters would provide certain benefits. While the wiretap revealed concerning information, it did not prove that Clemson's football or men's basketball programs paid players.
The University released a statement acknowledging the developments and stating that they would immediately conduct a review. Clemson declined to specify whether a person or program was under review. The University's basketball team and national championship football team were mentioned in the trial, which involved college basketball corruption and bribery. Clemson was set to approve new contracts for assistant men's basketball coaches, but this was put on hold due to the ongoing investigation.
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Smith previously coached at Georgia Southern and USC Upstate
Clemson men's basketball assistant coach Steve Smith was caught on FBI wiretap in 2017 discussing the recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and "potential payments to be made to Zion Williamson's family". Clemson released a statement saying they would \"immediately conduct a review\" of the incident. Smith had previously coached at Georgia Southern and USC Upstate before joining Clemson's staff under Brad Brownell in 2012.
At Georgia Southern, Smith coached for three seasons under current Seminole assistant coach Charlton "CY" Young. During the 2011-12 season, Smith helped Georgia Southern achieve a 12-6 mark in the Southern Conference, an 11-win improvement from the previous season—the second-largest single-season turnaround in Southern Conference history. Smith also coached Eric Ferguson to First-Team All-Southern Conference honours and Willie Powers III, a First-Team All-Southern Conference selection in 2010 and Third-Team pick in 2011.
Smith was an assistant coach at USC Upstate from 2002 to 2009, helping the Spartans transition to Division I and the Atlantic Sun Conference in his final two years on staff. USC Upstate moved into Division I in 2007, and the team advanced to the national tournament in 2005 with a 20-10 record and a PBC Tournament victory. Smith's coaching career also includes a stint as an assistant women's coach at Allen University.
Smith played college basketball for two years at Morgan State before serving in the Army from 1994 to 2000. After his military service, he began his coaching career and joined Clemson in 2012, where he helped the Tigers achieve notable successes, including advancing to the NIT Semifinals and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in 2018.
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Frequently asked questions
Clemson Athletics issued the following statement: "We are aware of the developments in federal court today involving one of our men’s basketball assistant coaches. We take this matter seriously and will immediately conduct a review."
The assistant coach involved in the FBI case was Steve Smith.
In the wiretap, Smith is heard discussing the recruitment of Duke star Zion Williamson and potential payments to his family. He also mentions Clemson's football program, saying, "That's why football is so successful, is if you do it and use resources at Clemson, like you can really keep everything tight."
As a result of the investigation, Clemson announced that contractual changes would be made for its men's basketball assistant coaches, head football coach, defensive coordinator, head women's basketball coach, and athletics director.
