Coach Adams on Jenzel Nash: ‘The one thing that I will say is that I care about Jenzel’
“I’m not able to make a comment on the situation. The one thing that I will say is that I care about Jenzel and I’m saying my prayers for her.”
ABC-7 caught up with UTEP Women’s basketball coach Keitha Adams Wednesday evening after her radio show to talk about player and star guard, Jenzel Nash, 23.
Wednesday, it was announced that Jenzel was one of seven indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly defrauding multiple local banks and credit unions through applications for at least $237,000 in personal loans and lines of credit. She was indicted on a single count of “Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud:”
This is according to United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Douglas E. Lindquist, the FBI Special Agent in Charge for the El Paso Division.
The indictment states the defendants conspired – in between July 31, 2013 and March 22, 2016 – to defraud 21 financial institutions nationwide in connection with a loan scheme. The defendants would allegedly obtain loans and lines of credit after providing the financial institutions with fraudulent personal and income information.
“She’s suspended from the team, yeah. Obvious now,” said Coach Adams Wednesday evening. Nash was indefinitely suspended earlier this season under mysterious circumstances, but it wasn’t until now that it was discovered why.
Although Adams wouldn’t comment on the indictment, she did talk about the team. “These guys are sisters, and they care about each other,” said Adams. “We’ve been a team through adversity this year on the court. We’ve faced some big challenges. And I’m really proud that we’ve hung in there and stayed together. And, we’re going to continue to do that.”
According to UTEP’s website, Nash already had her undergraduate degree in criminal justice and was working on her Masters in leadership studies. She also gave birth to a son in December 2014.
“I can say this, Jenzel has two degrees. And I’m proud of her for that,” Adams said. “I think that’s something that’s a documented good fact.”
When asked if UTEP would have to forfeit any games because of Nash’s indictment, Adams said absolutely not. “There’s not been any NCAA violations. This is not anything to do with NCAA rules, so that’s not a factor.”
Before leaving, Adams did have one thing to add during her interview. “I am in this business to help young people. I care about young people. Obviously, I went to college to be a coach and a teacher to make a difference in people’s lives.”
She added, “I will say this. Parenting is probably the toughest job in the world. Sometimes, as a parent, things work out well that you feel great about. And then sometimes there’s hardships and disappointments. Coaching and parenting, there’s some similarities.”
“I will say my prayers and hope for the best, and tomorrow we’re going to focus on our team.”
UTEP plays Western Kentucky on Thursday.
Nash is one of seven named in the 16-count indictment charges:
38-year-old former Michael Nedal Annabi of Santa Teresa, New Mexico Annabi’s wife, 33-year-old Perla Maldonado Annabi 33-year-old Basem Elgelda of Petaluma, California 25-year-old Terrance Yelder of El Paso 29-year-old Miguel Munoz of Santa Teresa, New Mexico 23-year-old Jenzel Nash of El Paso 20-year-old Daniel Munoz of Santa Teresa, New Mexico
Perla Annabi, Miguel Munoz and Daniel Munoz were also indicted on substantive counts of “False Statement on Loan or Credit Application.”
Upon conviction, each charge calls for up to 30 years in federal prison.
