Marcus Camby, who entered the NBA draft after winning college player of the year honors last season, has admitted accepting cash from one agent and jewelry that another agent bought, according to a newspaper report.
In a tearful interview with his hometown newspaper, The Hartford Courant, Camby admitted accepting the money and expensive gifts while still a player for the University of Masschusetts.Camby is attending the NBA predraft testing in Rosemont, Ill., and is projected as one of the first three picks in the June 26 draft.
His eyes swollen with tears, Camby made the admissions from his airport hotel room.
"I know that's wrong," he said. "I really wasn't thinking. The opportunity was just there and I took it."
Accepting such inducements from prospective agents is against NCAA rules and could result in penalties against UMass, which reached the Final Four this season for the first time.
However, Camby's representative, James Bryant of ProServ, said Monday night the 6-foot-11 center "alleged that he never received any such benefits, and any reports to the contrary are false."
Bryant said Camby did receive $1,000 after the season from an attorney, but categorically denied that he received anything from any agent or representative before then.
"These allegations stem from a failed attempt by an agent to (blackmail) a fine young man into signing with him," Bryant said.
Courant managing editor Cliff Teutsch said Monday night the newspaper is standing by its story, which was published in today's editions.
"The facts as reported in our story are correct. The story is based on a tape-recorded interview with Mr. Camby," Teutsch said.