By Chris Duncan
The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - NCAA investigators questioned Louisville center Marvin Stone for four hours Friday about wire transfers of money sent to Stone from his mother and two sisters Alabama.

Stone was also asked about a wire transfer of $400 to $450 sent from Louisville to Marvin Stone of Atlanta, a 53-year-old project engineer for the Marriott hotel chain who said he is not related to the basketball player.

"This has gone beyond ridiculous at this point," said Donald Jackson, the player's attorney.

Coach Rick Pitino didn't know if Stone would be cleared to play in Saturday's regular-season finale with Charlotte (13-14, 8-7).

"It's the most bizarre situation I've been in. I don't know what to think," Pitino said.

Jackson said the NCAA's lead investigator in the Stone case is Deana Garner, a representative from the NCAA's Agent, Gambling and Amateurism Activities Division. A phone message left at her office Friday night was not immediately returned.

Stone sat out last Saturday's 82-76 win over East Carolina, while the NCAA's inquiry into Stone's relationship with his AAU coach, Mark Komara, dragged into its second week.

The NCAA gave the school the go-ahead to play Stone on Tuesday - apparently clearing him of allegations that he may have accepted illegal benefits through Komara. Stone played in Wednesday's 79-76 loss at DePaul.

NCAA investigators requested another meeting with Stone on Thursday, and Jackson said Stone missed two classes on Friday to answer questions.

Jackson said none of the queries related to Komara, a Huntsville, Ala. businessman.

The Marvin Stone in Atlanta confirmed Friday night that he received a wire transfer of money from family members in Louisville on Nov. 15.

Jackson said the NCAA alleged that Marvin Stone, the basketball player, was the one who picked up the money in Atlanta.

Jackson said Stone never left Louisville that day. He said Stone had an individual instruction with Louisville coaches that morning, then practiced with the Cardinals that afternoon.

Louisville sports information director Kenny Klein could not confirm Stone's schedule on Nov. 15.