NCAA probe hangs over UCLA practice

10:14 AM ET 10.13 | Shabazz Muhammad and Kyle Anderson, the most polished among gems in UCLA's recruiting class, still have not been cleared for competition. The NCAA is examining the eligibility of both players. Muhammad, who is ranked at or near the top among all freshmen, has faced the most speculation. There are questions about money his family received from Benjamin Lincoln, the brother of an assistant at his high school, that helped pay for unofficial recruiting visits. Investigators may also be looking at Ken Kavanagh, a New York financial planner who partially funded the summer team Muhammad played for in his hometown of Las Vegas. With point guard Anderson, the NCAA reportedly is examining a connection to Thad Foucher, an agent who works with Arn Tellem for the L.A.-based Wasserman Media Group. Casey Wasserman, the company's founder, is a prominent UCLA booster. More than anything, the length of the Muhammad and Anderson investigations -- UCLA's opener is less than a month away -- has added fuel to published speculation that the Bruins must have cheated to attract such talent.

Los Angeles Times