Cavaliers' Thompson paid for Kabongo trip By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

Cavaliers' Tristan Thompson during a 2011-12 game against the Toronto Raptors. (Stan Behal/QMI Agency)

Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson said that he paid for Texas sophomore guard Myck Kabongo to come to Cleveland, according to a Cleveland Plain Dealer report.

Kabongo is being investigated by the NCAA.

“Did I pay for him? Well, yes and no,” Thompson told the paper. “You know, I actually had to pay for it and then had his brother reimburse me, which is totally fine with the NCAA. We discussed that. Again, we want to respect the process. I think everything’s going to work out. I don’t see no eligibility issues, but that’s for the NCAA to work out.”

NCAA investigators have questioned Kabongo about his relationship with agent Rich Paul, who represents Thompson and Miami Heat star, LeBron James.

Yahoo! Sports reported that Paul called NBA offices on Kabongo’s behalf leading to the 2012 draft. Kabongo chose to stay in school rather than enter the draft.

In 34 starts for Texas last season. Kabongo was third on the team in scoring with 9.6 points per game and led the Longhorns with 5.2 assists a game. Paul also represents two former Longhorns, Thompson and San Antonio Spurs guard Cory Joseph.