MIAMI — The recruitment of basketball playing twins and TikTok stars Haley and Hanna Cavinder has resulted in NCAA sanctions for the University of Miami women’s program — the first NCAA ruling regarding an NIL-related deal.
The school and the NCAA announced Friday that after a four-month investigation, it was determined that Hurricanes women’s basketball coach Katie Meier facilitated a meeting between the twins and high-profile booster John Ruiz, who provided the Cavinders an impermissible meal in April 2022 while they were in the transfer portal after leaving Fresno State.
Ruiz, a Miami attorney, drew attention to the dinner by posting a photo of himself with the Cavinder family on Twitter. Under NCAA rules, boosters are prohibited from associating with prospects or giving them improper benefits or inducements, including fancy meals.
