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LSU's Smart will not play vs. Vanderbilt amid FBI probe

Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / Getty

LSU freshman guard Javonte Smart won't play in Saturday's game against Vanderbilt, the school announced in a statement, courtesy of Mike Gaither of WBRZ.

The Tigers defended the decision to sit out Smart as an "abundance of caution" following a report of an FBI wiretap capturing Tigers head coach Will Wade referring to an undisclosed "offer" made to a recruit in 2017, believed to be Smart.

"This does not suggest, in any way, wrongdoing or knowledge of wrongdoing on Javonte's part or his family," the statement reads. "Javonte and his family have been fully cooperative and open with university officials. The decision to hold Javonte from today's game is a difficult and disappointing one for everyone involved. Javonte is a valuable member of the team, the university, and the LSU family.

"The university and NCAA continue to review the matter in order to come to a resolution as quickly as possible."

According to the Yahoo Sports report, Wade can be heard on a 2017 phone call with disgraced former agent Christian Dawkins talking about trying to entice a prospect with an illicit offer.

The Tigers suspended Wade indefinitely a day after the report was released.

"I was thinking last night on this Smart thing," Wade is reportedly heard saying on the recording. "I'll be honest with you, I'm (expletive) tired of dealing with the thing. Like I'm just (expletive) sick of dealing with the (expletive). Like, this should not be that (expletive) complicated."

Phone records suggest Dawkins and Wade had made at least three phone calls from June 19-30, 2017. Smart announced his commitment to LSU on June 30, 2017.

He has been one of the standout performers this season for the first-place Tigers in the SEC, averaging 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 30 appearances.

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