The Big Lead is reporting that the NCAA is opening an investigation into the relationship between North Carolina’s P.J. Hairston and NBA agent Rodney Blackstock.
It appears the duo’s affiliation goes back some time.
From The Big Lead:
Blackstock was in Hawaii when the Tar Heels traveled there in November 2012 for the Maui Invitational, and in agent/runner circles, he is widely regarded as Hairston’s “gatekeeper,” as in, to get to Hairston, you have to go through Blackstock. Hairston’s mother and Blackstock are friends on Facebook, and up until recently, there was a photo of them together at the Maui Invitational.
In this modern era of AAU basketball, where high school stars get the celebrity treatment, there are a lot of relationships that blur the ethical NCAA lines. It’s not like this Hairston/Blackstock affiliation is a new thing.
So what brought the NCAA investigators out? Two things. First, Blackstone was the middle man in the mess that involved agents paying the AAU coach of Kansas star Ben McLemore. Now he’s permanently on their radar. Second, Hairston was recently arrested for pot possession and driving without a license. If you recall, he was driving a rented car that was not in his name. I guess the NCAA is curious…who rented that car for Hairston? If it was Blackstone, it could mean trouble for the Carolina star.
By the way, between this and the constant coverage of the academic scandal, I sure hope The Big Lead doesn’t plan on getting a invite to Roy Williams’ holiday party this year.
