DETROIT – The brother of an elite 2017 college basketball recruit took to Facebook Live on Wednesday to expose the star high school player for allegedly accepting illegal benefits from a Detroit man in his inner circle.
Mo Bamba is a five-star power forward from New York and the No. 2 overall player in the 2017 recruiting class, according to 247 Sports. He committed May 18 to the University of Texas over Duke, Kentucky and Michigan.
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But now, Bamba is facing an unforeseen speed bump after his brother, Ibrahim Johnson, went on Facebook Live and spoke for 22 1/2 minutes about his brother breaking NCAA regulations throughout his recruitment.
Johnson said a Detroit man named Greer Love, a University of Michigan grad and Bamba's fourth-grade teacher, worked his way into Bamba's inner circle and drove a wedge between the family members. Johnson said Bamba grew distant with his siblings and mother, even telling them to go back to New York when they moved to Texas following Bamba's commitment.
In the video, Johnson said his brother accepted several impermissible benefits from Love, including a television, $200 per week and a trip to San Diego to see a girl he met on Instagram.
Johnson said in exchange for the favors, Love wanted to be in Bamba's inner circle when the young star made it to the NBA.
Johnson shot the video poolside from his new home, where he said he moved his mother, who is "elderly and disabled." He said the University of Texas could help his mother if Bamba would just give them the opportunity. Instead, Johnson accused Bamba of being a gatekeeper and closing the door on his family.
The friction apparently started when Johnson decided he wanted to be a sports agent, and Love didn't want him interfering with Bamba's career. Johnson said that's when Bamba started acting distant and telling his brother to simply sit back and reap the benefits that would come with Bamba's NBA career.
In retaliation for Bamba siding with Love over his brother, Johnson outed him in the viral Facebook post.
Johnson said he has already spoken with the NCAA on the phone and outlined all the alleged violations. He said he's meeting with NCAA officials this weekend.
"He’s not going to play this year in the NCAA, because I already reported him to the NCAA and I’m already going to meet with the NCAA," Johnson said. "He’s not going to play this year. I’m not going to lie to you. I exposed that kid."
In the video, Johnson said the NCAA called Bamba, and Bamba told them that Love does this for multiple players.
Johnson made it clear that the benefits did not come from the University of Texas, and it doesn't appear Love has ties to any of the other basketball programs who were recruiting Bamba.
WARNING: The Facebook video is full of explicit and racially insensitive language. You can watch it by clicking here.