Former University of Arizona guard Jawann McClellan says Lute Olsen's relationship with the late David Salinas was not a factor in his decision to attend the school, Bruce Pascoe of The Arizona Republic reports.
Jawann McClellan Denies Lute Olsen’s Relationship With David Salinas Swayed College Choice
Salinas, an investment adviser who had founded the Houston Select Basketball summer program in 1992, died of an apparent suicide on Sunday. Salinas was the subject of an investigation by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) for fraudulent practices that may have cost several college coaches who invested with Salinas millions of dollars.
Olsen reportedly invested $1.17 million with Salinas.
“Coach Olson was probably one of his biggest clients and (my committing to UA) caught a lot of people off guard,” McClellan said on Tuesday. “A lot of people thought I was going to Texas, but I was confident in my decision.”
McClellan said he chose Arizona over Texas and Kentucky because of Olsen and former assistant coach Josh Pastner. During his four-year career, McClellan averaged 7.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. McClellan is now coaching high school basketball and with the Houston Select team with plans to coach at the college level.
“Everything that I’ve heard is very shocking,” McClellan said of Salinas’ passing and the subsequent fallout. “I’m dealing with it, probably not well. It’s just shocking to me that everything came out about him.”
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