Basketball figure denies bribing coaches to get clients

NEW YORK (AP) A former aspiring business manager for NBA players continues to insist he never bribed college basketball coaches to help him get future clients.

Christian Dawkins was cross-examined Thursday as the last witness at a college hoops corruption trial.

Prosecutor Robert Boone confronted Dawkins with recordings in which he brags about his close relationship with several coaches. But Dawkins wouldn’t back down from claims he never paid them off.

Dawkins’ lawyer had earlier sought to ask him about his relationship with University of Arizona coach Sean Miller. The questioning went nowhere after a judge sustained objections to it.

Miller’s name came up on a wiretap recording played at the trial, but the government never alleged he was involved in the bribery scheme. He has declined to comment.