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Now, however, it appears the UA is more likely to let his contract simply run out.

Phelps, who makes $275,000 annually, has been on paid leave since UA removed him from coaching in early February. The UA never gave a reason for its decision, but ESPN reported that Phelps was accused of an NCAA violation regarding the academic transcripts of former recruit Shareef O鈥橬eal.聽

UA president Robert C. Robbins said Thursday that 鈥渢here鈥檚 a process to separate with (Phelps) and that鈥檚 ongoing.鈥�

When asked if the school might just let Phelps' contract expire on June 30, Robbins said that was "my understanding." Phelps, and all coaches,听are technically service professionals at Arizona, and the school鈥檚 dismissal policy for service professionals states that they must be given a chance to respond before being fired. Former assistant Book Richardson spent 119 days on paid leave while he responded to the UA's plans to fire him.聽

The Arizona Board of Regents announced in February that聽it supported UA's move聽to terminate Phelps.

The Star filed a public-records request in February seeking communication records between Phelps and UA and/or the NCAA regarding his indefinite suspension. But the school has not filled the request.

Phelps鈥� attorney, Alabama-based Donald Maurice Jackson, did not return messages this week seeking comment. He initially told ESPN that Phelps was a victim of entrapment.

鈥淢ark Phelps has done absolutely nothing in violation of NCAA rules,鈥� Jackson told ESPN in February. 鈥淗e has been fully cooperative with the NCAA. He has been in daily contact with the compliance staff. This is a direct response to a published story (about alleged NCAA rules violations at Arizona), and they鈥檙e trying to entrap a coach in something he had no involvement in.鈥�

UA athletic director Dave Heeke said at the time of Phelps鈥� removal that UA head coach Sean Miller 鈥渇ully supports this decision, which we agree is in the best interests of our men鈥檚 basketball program and the University.鈥�

Rim shots

鈥� Arizona State coach聽Bobby Hurley聽issued a statement Thursday night saying that he and school officials "are in discussions to extend our agreement" amid rumors that he was a candidate to replace聽Chris Mullin聽at St. John's.

"My family and I are proud to be Sun Devils and want to remain at Arizona State for a long time," he wrote. Hurley said he would have "no public comment on my contract status" until the extension was finalized.

鈥� Four-star 2020 shooting guard聽Ian Martinez聽of JSerra Catholic High in San Juan Capistrano, California, tweeted Thursday that UA has offered him a scholarship.

鈥� Former five-star forward聽Jordan Brown聽is seeking a transfer from Nevada. The UA was a finalist to land him a year ago, but currently has no scholarships available to offer should聽coaches want to re-recruit him.

鈥� Five Cal players have now entered the NCAA transfer portal after Golden Bears coach聽Wyking Jones聽was fired:聽Justice Sueing,听Connor Vanover,听Darius McNeill,听Roman Davis听补苍诲听Juhwon Harris-Dyson.