Charlotte Hornets forward Nic Batum says he’s baffled why his name was included in a document regarding individuals who might be relevant to a federal trial in New York City this week tied to the FBI’s probe of college basketball recruiting.
During jury selection, a list of several dozen names was distributed as those that could come up during testimony. Among those names: former Louisville coach Rick Pitino, Dallas Mavericks guard Dennis Smith, and No. 1 overall pick and former Arizona big man De’Andre Ayton. The list is labeled “other relevant individuals,” and federal officials said inclusion on that list does not imply wrongdoing.