KNOXVILLE – Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl had to address more potential NCAA violations at his weekly news conference Monday afternoon.
According to reports, UT forward Renaldo Woolridge may have violated NCAA rules regarding improper benefits and preferential treatment by using the upstairs portion of an off-campus bar to film a hip-hop music video free of charge.
“Just heard about it ourselves, probably about the same time you guys (the media) did,” Pearl said. “We’re looking into it right now. We’re going to visit with Renaldo and visit with compliance and find out if there was anything that was done that was in any way a violation of NCAA rules or extra benefits.”
Woolridge’s talents as a hip-hop artist under the name “Swiperboy” are well-documented, and his music videos have been shown at UT football and basketball games in the past. The junior has been working exclusively with the scout team most of this season and did not dress for Saturday’s loss to Connecticut due to an ankle injury.
“This situation aside because we don’t know the details of it, we’re very supportive of Renaldo as a student and very supportive of him in his major and film and communications and particularly with a very unique talent,” Pearl said. “We encourage him to be the best he can be in both pursuits academically as well as through basketball (but) there’s got to be a balance there.”
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com or 901-581-7288. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/patrickbrownTFP