Fatal shooting casts shadow over Valley of the Sun

Wade was suspended after three games in 2004 after the school discovered he had received improper benefits from a former athletic department employee.

Former teammate Hakim Hill finally ran out of chances when he was kicked off the team late last season for striking a teammate. Hill, who led the Sun Devils in rushing in 2004, was suspended during his freshman season at Arizona State after some high school troubles.

Back in his native Iowa City, Iowa, Hill was convicted of a DUI and faced third-degree sexual assault charges. The sexual assault was later knocked down to serious misdemeanor assault after a plea agreement.

Hill transferred to Northern Iowa after leaving Arizona State. In February, he was kicked off that team after fighting with police. The police report stated Hill threatened the officers and their families.

"I don't know what type of reaction people are going to have," Rivals.com recruiting expert Jeremy Crabtree said. "Coach Koetter has a very good reputation of a guy that doesn't allow stuff like this to happen. I don't know if this is something that will be damaging in recruiting wars. I'm sure this will become something that will be used against them."

Ask Baylor about the impact of a murder. The athletic department is just starting to dig out from the murder of basketball player Patrick Dennehy less than two years ago. The school was shaken to its foundations when teammate Carlton Dotson was charged with Dennehy's death.

Coach Dave Bliss resigned. Athletic director Tom Stanton lost his job. In an unprecedented move, the NCAA allowed Baylor players to transfer immediately without sitting out a year.

The Baylor men's basketball hasn't recovered yet, although it has a top 11 recruiting class coming in. The women advanced to the Final Four on Monday night.

"Last year it was more prevalent than this year," men's coach Scott Drew said of difficulties in recruiting. "People understand the reputation of Baylor because of the excellent reputation. It's been easier to get over that stigma."

A four-day-old stigma that has just attached itself to Arizona State.