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Nicolas Batum is just as confused as everyone else as to why he's on a list of “other relevant individuals” to a federal trial involving a college basketball recruiting scandal. There are a number of players, coaches, personnel, and other individuals who appear on the list, but Batum is an odd name to find.
Nic Batum shows up in the long list of individuals potentially relevant to the college basketball trial starting this week. Batum didn’t play college ball. He was, at one time, an Adidas player. https://t.co/7R3T35xIpI
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) October 2, 2018
But Batum has no idea why he is named on this list. When asked about it, he told Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:
Article Continues Below“You just let me know. I really have no idea. I’m shocked. It’s weird. I don’t know what to say.”
The case involves improper payments to college athletes, so it makes little sense that Batum would be relevant to the investigation. Batum played overseas before entering the NBA Draft in 2008. He has no connections to colleges or college recruiting.
The answer may be in his affiliation to Adidas. The shoe company is involved in the recruiting scandal as well. Batum used to be an Adidas athlete, which could explain his inclusion in the relevant individuals list. That being said, Batum is still unsure as to how his Adidas sponsorship would involve him. He told Bonnell:
“I was an Adidas guy from ’08 until last year. That’s it.”
Obviously, appearing on this list doesn't implicate Batum in any wrongdoing. He seems just as surprised as everyone else.
