Thomas “T.J.” Gassnola, a former consultant for Adidas America, testified Wednesday in federal court that he made concealed payments on behalf of the shoe company to the families of five elite basketball prospects, including current Kansas forward Silvio De Sousa, former KU forward Billy Preston and former Arizona big man Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Also Wednesday, while a KU compliance director took the witness stand, it was revealed that De Sousa at one point had signed a contract with a pro team in Spain.
Gassnola, 46, said he worked with Adidas to make payments to those three along with Dennis Smith Jr.