Norman — Celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.com reported early Thursday morning it has obtained a document showing Oklahoma freshman forward Tiny Gallon received a $3,000 payment from a Merrill Lynch financial advisor who caters to professional athletes.
The Web site reported Gallon received the payment through a wire transfer last August that was deposited in a bank account jointly held by Gallon and his mother, Sylvia Wright.
OU officials gave no comment on the matter other than a statement released Thursday morning by athletic director Joe Castiglione.
“The University of Oklahoma is committed to ensuring compliance with all NCAA rules and regulations,” he sad. “Any activity not in compliance is taken seriously and is acted upon swiftly.”
Gallon, who averaged 10.3 points and 7.9 rebounds a game, was suspended for the Sooners’ Feb. 13 game at Oklahoma State. At the time, OU officials said the suspension was due to an “internal matter” and for an indefinite period.
Sooner coach Jeff Capel wouldn’t discuss that matter.
Gallon returned to the court four days later against Colorado. He was a starter in OU’s last four games of the season. It was the second time Gallon faced disciplinary action during the season. He was taken out of the starting lineup for the Sooners’ Dec. 31 game at Gonzaga. OU sources confirmed that was because Gallon arrived late for a practice.
TMZ.com has not shown the document that was the basis of its story. It alleges the wire transfer came from Tampa, Fla. based Merrill Lynch financial advisor Jeffrey Hausinger. According to Merrill Lynch’s Web site, Hausinger is a certified financial planner and a certified investment management analyst.
A phone call to Hausinger’s office and an e-mail sent to his Merrill Lynch account were not returned Thursday.
When reached by TMZ.com, Hausinger reportedly said: “I don’t think I want to talk to you.”
Attempts to reach Gallon and OU coach Jeff Capel Thursday were unsuccessful. Players are on spring break until Monday. Capel was in Norman Thursday morning to tape his coach’s show, but the rest of the staff was out recruiting. Capel is expected to join them on the road.
In an interview with WWLS in Oklahoma City Thursday, TMZ producer Charles Latibeaudiere said the Web site began investigating the story over a month ago after receiving a tip. He said the investigation produced evidence of only one transaction between Hausinger and Gallon’s family.
The Sooners’ season ended March 10 after a loss to Oklahoma State in the first round of the Big 12 tournament. The loss ended a disappointing 13-18 season in which OU lost its final nine games.
Gallon, who was one of the most highly touted recruits ever to sign with OU, admitted in February he wasn’t sure if he would return next season. But Gallon told The Transcript at last week’s Big 12 tournament he would return to OU for his sophomore season.
“I’m going to come back another year,” Gallon said March 9. “That’s for sure.”
Gallon is still enrolled and attending classes at OU. If he did receive a payment deemed impermissible by the NCAA, his status for next season could be in jeopardy.
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
