NCAA penalizes Miami for violation in recruitment of Cavinder twins

It is the first name, image, and likeness-related infraction since a Supreme Court ruling in June 2021 paving the way for student-athletes to monetize off their NIL. 

The school and the NCAA agreed to a resolution that included one year of probation, a $5,000 fine plus 1% of the women’s basketball budget, and a reduction of nine recruiting-person days in women’s basketball during the 2022-23 academic year.

The violations involve Haley and Hanna Cavinder, who transferred from Fresno State to Miami after the completion of the 2022 season, and Miami booster John Ruiz. Neither the Cavinder twins nor Ruiz was punished in the inquiry and the booster was not disassociated from the program.

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The school already suspended Meier for three games at the beginning of this season 

“The investigation did not develop any facts directly linking activities around name, image and likeness to the prospects’ recruitment to or decision to enroll at the University of Miami,” the Committee on Infractions said in its report. “During its review, however, the panel was troubled by the limited nature and severity of institutional penalties agreed upon by Miami and the enforcement staff — namely, the absence of a disassociation of the involved booster.’

The Hurricanes are 17-11 (10-7 ACC) with one regular season game left against Virginia on Sunday before the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

Haley Cavinder, a 5-6 senior guard from Gilbert, Arizona, is the team’s leading scorer with 12.9 points per game. Her sister, Hanna, is averaging 3.7 points a game.