BOSTON -- Boston Celtics rookie Robert Williams’ name came up on Thursday in the trial of Christian Dawkins -- a runner who helped direct prospects to various NCAA schools.
According to Matt Norlander of CBS, former Texas A&M coach Amir Abdur-Rahim bought a pair of shoes at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and mailed the shoes to Williams with $11,000 stuffed inside.
Williams spent two years at Texas A&M before entering last year’s draft, where the Celtics selected him 27th.
On Friday, following the team’s practice, Williams denied receiving any money during his college career.
“Never took anything from anybody during my college career,” Williams said. “Honestly, just trying to focus on these playoffs. I tend to stop social media because it gets to you during playoff time, but like I said, never took anything from anybody. Hope this goes away as fast possible.”
Williams was asked if players in college should be compensated, which he said was not his primary concern at the moment.
“It comes out. It’s rumors, you know?” Williams said, of his initial reaction. “But like I said, I stay as far away from social media as possible. It’s a black hole. So I stay far away from it, focusing on this, expanding my career.”