Emanuel "Book" Richardson is fighting for his freedom.
The longtime Arizona basketball assistant is facing up to 60 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine if convicted on bribery, wire fraud and conspiracy charges after being one of four coaches arrested as part of a federal investigation in late August. Richardson, a member of the Wildcats' staff since 2009, was released from custody after posting $50,000 bond Sept. 26. He's accused of accepting money from a third party and using some of it to pay a player to commit to Arizona.
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Richardson is also fighting for his job. Monday, the Arizona Republic reported Richardson is appealing the pre-termination notice the university sent him shortly after his arrest. Brick Storts III, Richardson's attorney, said the paperwork has been filed, and he and his client are waiting to receive a date for a hearing.
The scandal that rocked college basketball, leading to the firing of former Louisville coach Rick Pitino, has already cost the Wildcats what would've been one of the nation's best recruiting classes. Once No. 2, the Arizona's 2018 class is now No. 22 in 247 Sports rankings. Five-star recruit Nassir Little, once considered a strong candidate to attend Arizona, chose North Carolina instead earlier this month. Another five-star recruit, point guard Jahvon Quinerly, though not named, is believed to be the player in question in the FBI's investigation. He lawyered up more than two weeks ago and decommitted this past Thursday.
Thank you! pic.twitter.com/PsKlU9IhUl
— Jahvon Quinerly (@RealJahvonQ) October 20, 2017
Shareef O'Neal, the son of NBA legend and Turner Sports analyst Shaquille and a five-star prospect in his own right, could be the next Arizona commit to defect.