UK reports minor NCAA violation

Messenger-Inquirer (Owensboro) / Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer

University of Kentucky basketball player Darius Miller could face disciplinary measures from the NCAA after he was listed as a participant in an advertisement and on a flier for a basketball camp hosted by Muhlenberg County Coach Reggie Warford

At the very least, Miller won't be participating in the camp because of the incident, UK officials said.

Even though the mistake was made by Muhlenberg County officials and not by Miller, the use of his name in the advertisement could be a violation of NCAA rules, according to an article this week in The Times-Argus newspaper in Central City.

The flier and ad were released last month and listed Miller as a participant in the two camps, June 22-24 and July 13-15, at the newly consolidated high school.

NCAA rules do not allow a student-athlete to accept any fee or allow the use of his or her name or picture to advertise or promote the sale or use of a commercial product or service.

Warford will begin his first season as the Muhlenberg County boys' basketball coach in the new school year.

This situation could be similar to one in which former Indiana University star Steve Alford was pictured in a sorority calendar and had to serve a one-game suspension because of the NCAA rules violation.

Sandy Bell, UK senior associate athletics director and the person in charge of compliance issues, told the Times-Argus "Darius will not be there for either camp."

"We will have to jump through some hoops," she said when asked if he could be suspended for a game.

Bell was further quoted as saying "We have talked to (Muhlenberg County athletic director) Jim (Price) and explained to him that UK players can't be used in that manner. We will report it to the NCAA in Indianapolis."

Price had placed Miller's name on the camp pamphlets and ads, according to The Times-Argus, which published the story in Wednesday's edition.