NCAA penalizes Ole Miss basketball program for recruiting violations

The NCAA has issued punishments to the Ole Miss men’s basketball program following Level I and II tampering violations. The infractions were committed by former assistant coach Wes Flanigan, who engaged in impermissible recruiting conversations with an advisor of a student-athlete from another school before that player had entered the transfer portal.

According to the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions, Flanigan participated in 16 phone calls and sent 10 text messages to the unidentified advisor during the offseason. While the player eventually entered the transfer portal, they ultimately signed with a different program.

Flanigan received a one-year show-cause order, which included a recruiting communication suspension and a two-game coaching suspension, both of which were served during the 2024-25 season. Head coach Chris Beard was found responsible for oversight of the program but received no direct penalties as the NCAA determined he was not personally involved in the misconduct.