LEXINGTON - The text message from a Kentucky basketball assistant coach to Nike EYBL director Carlton Debose about the shoe company allegedly funneling money to AAU basketball coaches has been released as part of Michael Avenatti's motion to dismiss extortion charges against him.
The text message conversation on July 6, 2017 is between Debose and someone identified as "KP" in his phone. Kentucky basketball's associate head coach is Kenny Payne, and Avenatti's attorney characterized the text exchange as being with a UK basketball assistant in the motion to dismiss released Thursday.
In the exchange, Debose acknowledges payments to about "about 10" EYBL coaches who are "helping families to the total of about 200K annually.