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Ben McLemore’s former AAU coach says KU knew nothing about middleman
Darius Cobb, the former AAU coach of Ben McLemore,
who told USA Today he was paid $10,000 and travel expenses from a middleman, who allegedly represented agents and financial advisers, on Monday issued a news release through Coburn Enterprise, LLC based in Florissant, Mo.
In the release, Cobb, who is not speaking directly to the media at this time, said Kansas University officials knew nothing about middleman Rodney Blackstock’s involvement with Cobb, despite the fact Blackstock attended three KU games using complimentary tickets on McLemore’s KU pass list.
“I want the media, KU Fans, and public to know University of Kansas, Head Coach Bill Self, nor any members of the Athletic Department had any knowledge or involvement,” Cobb said in an exact wording of his statement.
Repeating what he said in the USA Today article, Cobb added: “I don’t want to hurt the McLemore family, I want to protect the family. If there had to be a bad guy, if there had to be a fall guy, let it be me, as opposed to ruining a great kid who has busted his butt to get where he is. Let me be the crooked AAU coach. I was willing to take the brunt of it for the sake of this kid. I wanted to keep him pure.”
Cobb, who has been unable to reach McLemore — the KU player has reportedly changed his phone number and McLemore’s mother has changed her number — wants to get word to McLemore that Blackstock is not a licensed agent. The release, in fact, refers to Blackstock as an “alleged agent.”
Cobb believes it is possible McLemore is planning on having Blackstock represent him and says McLemore needs to know he is not licensed.
Cobb, in the release, says Blackstock gave him money to give to the family, because he wanted Cobb to steer McLemore toward Blackstock, which has happened. Cobb, 41, has known McLemore since the player was in the sixth grade, and he began coaching McLemore when the player was 15 years old.
Blackstock has been unavailable for comment. KU coach Self said Sunday he had no comment on the McLemore matter.