NCAA places Oklahoma hoops on 3-year probation

Indianapolis, IN – Oklahoma has received three years of probation and a $15,000 fine, among other penalties, for major violations in its men's basketball program.

The NCAA announced Friday that the case revolved around one athlete who received extra benefits and preferential treatment while ineligible. A former assistant coach, Oronde Taliaferro, failed to disclose his knowledge of the situation and was found to have acted unethically.

Other penalties include recruiting restrictions, scholarship reductions and a vacation of records.

Most of the penalties were proposed by Oklahoma when it admitted to two major violations in July. The program was already on probation from another infraction, and the school proposed two more years of probation, among other penalties.

The NCAA said a financial advisor wired $3,000 to the mother of the athlete, who was then a prospect, to pay a debt owed to his high school. That allowed his transcript to be released to Oklahoma and enabled the athlete to enroll.

He was therefore ineligible while he competed during the 2009-10 academic year, and received travel expenses.

According to the NCAA's report, Taliaferro knowingly provided false and misleading information about the situation. He received a two-year show cause order that restricts his recruiting activity.

In addition to the three-year probation, which runs through November 9, 2014, Oklahoma received multiple reductions. It will have one fewer scholarship, two fewer official visits, and 30 fewer recruiting days for the 2011-12 academic year.

The school must also vacate all wins in which that athlete participated during 2009-10, as well as all of his individual records.