SMU's Keith Frazier says he wasn't aware of academic fraud
SMU guard Keith Fraziertold ESPN's Jeff Goodman that he didn't know a former basketball administrator was completing an online course in order for him to be eligible to play.
Frazier was a focus of the NCAA's recent academic fraud investigation into the basketball program. The NCAA examined whether former SMU basketball administrator and assistant coach Ulric Maligi assisted Frazier with his coursework.
The final report found that a former administrative assistant obtained Frazier's username and password to complete the coursework needed to be admitted into the university.
“I didn't even know what was going on,” Frazier told ESPN. “I didn't know she was doing that class for me. I wasn't aware of that. I know it looks that way on the outside looking in, but I didn't know.”
After finding multiple violations of academic fraud and unethical conduct, the NCAA banned the SMU men's basketball team from the 2016 postseason. It also suspended head coach Larry Brown for nine games of the 2015–16 season, and it stripped SMU of nine scholarships over the next three years.
• DAVIS: Larry Brown lucky to keep job amid scandal
Frazier added that he was “numb” after the NCAA's decision. The 6'5" junior was ruled academically ineligible halfway through the 2014-2015 season after averaging 10.5 points per game.
Brown's suspension will expire ahead of conference play.
• Excerpts from NCAA report on misconduct at SMU
- Beth Maiman
