Kansas coach Bill Self wants NCAA’s Cliff Alexander investigation resolved quickly

Kansas coach Bill Self, in the moments after Saturday’s 75-73 loss at Oklahoma, expressed frustration with the slow nature of the NCAA’s investigation into Kansas freshman forward Cliff Alexander.

Self said he did not wish to point fingers or place blame, but he wished all parties involved could come together and help foster a resolution as the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments approach this month.

“I think we all would hope that all the parties would get on the same page and cooperate and do what needs to be done to get (Cliff) back out on the court,” Self said.

Saturday marked one week since Kansas officials announced that Alexander, a 6-foot-8 freshman forward, would be held out of competition while the NCAA investigated a potential “issue” that could compromise his eligibility. The NCAA’s investigation of Alexander, according to a source familiar with the situation, is related to possible impermissible benefits received by at least one member of Alexander’s family from a third party.

Yahoo Sports, citing anonymous sources, also reported Thursday that the potential impermissible benefits stemmed from a relationship with an NBA agent. The families of players are allowed to have contact with agents in an advisory capacity, but it would be a violation of NCAA rules to receive benefits or enter into any sort of financial contract.

The Alexander family has retained an attorney to navigate the process. But according to Yahoo, the NCAA has yet to interview Alexander, and the involvement of an attorney may be slowing the investigation.

While not confirming that detail, Self on Saturday expressed frustration that there had not been more cooperation from all sides in the case.

“The bottom line is, I just wish everybody would get together, talk it out,” Self said, “If there’s a problem, deal with the problem, but don’t run from it.”

The latest detail in the case emerged on Saturday, when Yahoo Sports, citing a Uniform Commercial Code filing in the state of Illinois, tied Alexander's mother, Latillia Alexander, to a Florida financial company that specializes in loans to professional athletes and agents. The filing was made last August. But the report, however, did not specify whether a loan was taken out using Alexander’s professional earnings potential as collateral, which would be an NCAA violation.

Self has declined to comment on specifics of the case, saying he has been kept “in the dark” on many details.

“If the ruling is negative, it’s negative,” Self said. “But the kid is going to have no chance to play in the NCAA Tournament. He’s going to have no chance to do what he came to college for. He’s going to have no chance to help his teammates if, in fact, all the parties can’t get in the same room.”

Alexander, who has now missed three games, was projected as a lottery pick in the 2015 NBA Draft when the season began, but his stock has dropped during an up-and-down freshman season.

“Here’s the deal,” Self said. “If it doesn’t happen this season, it’s done. If you’re not going to do it to give (yourself) a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament, what makes you think you’re gonna do it in the offseason to give yourself a chance to play (next season)?”

This story was originally published March 7, 2015 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Kansas coach Bill Self wants NCAA’s Cliff Alexander investigation resolved quickly."