DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Little League star Mo’ne Davis says she’s “sad” Connecticut received a secondary NCAA rules violation for coach Geno Auriemma’s congratulatory phone call to her during the Little League World Series.
Davis said they talked last month about her success in the World Series for Philadelphia’s Taney Dragons, and there was no recruiting talk.
“I heard about that this morning, and it’s sad,” Davis said. “There wasn’t anything about recruiting in the call, he was just congratulating me.”
On Thursday, the NCAA announced the recruiting violation after a complaint was brought to the attention of the American Athletic Conference. Davis mentioned during the World Series she’d like to play basketball for UConn and eventually in the WNBA.
UConn officials said they’re not sure whether the NCAA will impose any sanctions. Conference spokeswoman Chevonne Mansfield says the complaint did not come from an AAC member.
The 13-year-old Davis was a guest of the WNBA on Friday at its annual luncheon, which honored retiring player and future San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon, retiring Indiana coach Lin Dunn and political strategist Donna Brazile.
It capped a whirlwind week for Davis, who went to the WNBA conference finals in Minnesota to meet players Maya Moore, Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi.
The Little League star pitcher also flew to Los Angeles to visit the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw. She threw out the first pitch at the game against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday.
“It was really cool to meet him,” Davis said of the Dodgers’ ace. “We talked baseball and other things.”
Davis, who recently graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, attended the game with her mother and stepfather.
Davis will head home and return to school, where she hopes life will return to normal.
“I’m happy to be going back home and seeing my friends and just being Mo’ne,” she said.
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