by Indianapolis Star, USA TODAY

The NCAA has upheld the nine-game suspensions of Indiana freshmen basketball players Peter Jurkin and Hanner Perea, according to a press release.

The pair has sat out the team’s first five games and will miss four more, becoming eligible to play against Butler on Dec. 15.

Jurkin and Perea accepted approximately $6,000 and $8,000, respectively, in impermissible benefits from Mark Adams, the players’ AAU coach, including plane tickets, meals, housing, a laptop, cell phone and clothing.

Adams is considered an Indiana booster by the NCAA.

A $185 donation to the university triggered the booster’s status. Recent interactions reinforce his unique access and continuous involvement with the men’s basketball program, according to the NCAA.

A press release announcing the decision said Adams signed financial aid documents required for two former Indiana basketball student-athletes in 2008 and 2010.

Further, Jurkin and Perea lived with the booster in Bloomington, Ind., during multiple summers. Indiana University also provided the booster with permissible, complimentary men’s basketball tickets. The university has suspended the relationship with the booster until July 1, 2013.

The reinstatement committee is the final appeal opportunity, according to the press release. The independent committee is composed of representatives from NCAA member colleges, universities and athletic conferences.

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