At first glance, the parking lot at the Larry O. Finch Center resembles a new car lot with brand new Cadillac Escalades and DeVilles packing the tight spaces.
But a closer look by The Daily Helmsman revealed some irregularities regarding to whom two of the vehicles are registered.
The Daily Helmsman twice observed Tiger guard Antonio Burks driving a maroon Cadillac DeVille. The car , with Tennessee tags JZX-286, was registered to PV Holding Company, a business located at 2530 Rental Road.
However, there is no business listed at that address and there is no record of PV Holding Company in the Memphis area, according to the Memphis Business License Department and the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce. All businesses are required to register with the license department by law.
The Daily Helmsman observed on numerous occasions Tiger forward Chris Massie driving a green Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade, with Tennessee license tags JZU-147, is registered to Darrell Henry of 7875 Grove Lake in Germantown. Henry told The Daily Helmsman he lived at that address and owned the car.
Cadillac Escalades start at around $50,000 according to the company’s Web site.
During a conversation with Massie outside the Finch Center in early April, Massie told The Daily Helmsman that Henry was his cousin.
Henry called The Daily Helmsman Tuesday afternoon and said he was a relative of Massie, but would not elaborate on the nature of the relationship.
“ We don’t have anything to say,” Henry said. “It’s not even worth going into.”
Henry said any information needed by The Daily Helmsman could be obtained from the athletic department.
The Daily Helmsman tried unsuccessfully to reach U of M athletic director R. C. Johnson for comment.
The Daily Helmsman called Bernice Massie, Chris’ mother, at her home in Texas. The Helmsman asked Ms. Massie if Chris had any relatives in the Memphis area. Ms. Massie first said Chris had no relatives in the area. The Daily Helmsman then asked Ms. Massie about the nature of the relationship between her son and Henry. Ms. Massie said Henry was “a relative.” She too would not elaborate on the nature of the relationship.
“When it comes to personal things like that I have no comment,” Ms. Massie said. “ I’m not going around saying who is who and what is what.”
Tigers Arthur Barclay, Anthony Rice and Dajuan Wagner were all observed by The Daily Helmsman driving or riding in a black Escalade. The Escalade, with Tennessee tags JYU-147, is registered to Milt Wagner, coordinator of basketball operations and father of Dajuan.
Massie, along with teammate Wagner, recently declared himself eligible for the NBA draft.
