Attorney Sam Avenatti alleges Nike involvement in NCAA basketball payments amid his arrest

Attorney Sam Avenatti alleges Nike involvement in NCAA basketball payments amid his arrest The passage links a high‑profile attorney (Avenatti) to alleged improper payments by Nike to college basketball players and mentions a government investigation into NCAA basketball. While it provides specific names (Nike youth basketball head Carlton DeBose) and a court case number, the claims are unverified and lack concrete evidence of wrongdoing, limiting immediate investigative utility but offering a moderate lead worth follow‑up. Key insights: Avenatti was arrested (U.S. v. Avenatti, No. 19‑mj‑2927, SDNY).; He claims Nike made payments to the mother of Phoenix Suns player DeAndre Ayton and to Bol Bol while they were college athletes.; He accuses Nike youth basketball head Carlton DeBose of orchestrating a “diversion charade.”