Former Florida State players sue Hoops coach over failed payments

Six former Florida State basketball players have taken legal action against their former coach.

Darren Heitner, attorney in Fort Lauderdale distributed a 20-page complaint filed in Leon County on behalf of Darin Green Jr., De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears and Jalen Warley.

It is alleged that Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton reneged on his promise to give each $250,000 in name, image and likeness compensation.

Specifically, the former players claim that Hamilton promised them money from his “business partners.”

The lawsuit says in part that the players walked out of a practice last season because of missed payments. It adds that they plan to boycott a Feb. 17 loss against Duke, but played on a guarantee from Hamilton that they would be paid.

“My main goal with this lawsuit is to get help for several FSU basketball players who relied on their head coach’s promises,” Heitner wrote about X. “Furthermore, I hope this action will cause everyone in the NIL space to think twice before taking advantage of athletes.”

The complaint includes several text message exchanges between the players and some between the players and Hamilton.

FSU has had much success under Hamilton, 76, who has led the program since 2002. The Seminoles won the ACC tournament in 2012 and the ACC regular season in 2020, but finished 17-16 last season, including 10-10 in the ACC. .

The Seminoles are 9-4 overall and 0-2 in the ACC so far this season, but none of the players listed as claimants remain on the roster.

Darin Green and Nickelberry used up their college eligibility last season, and the other four have transferred.

Spears plays for UTSA, Fletcher for Xavier, De’Ante Green for South Florida and Warley for Gonzaga, where he is redshirting.