Athletic Director Larry Keating of Seton Hall...

Athletic Director Larry Keating of Seton Hall denied a published report that Andrew Gaze and his family received $25,000 from his Australian club team before joining the Pirates and helping them to the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. championship game they lost to Michigan.

The New York Times, in its Friday editions, quoted Bruce Ward, general manager of the Melbourne Tigers, as saying the $25,000 was put into a trust fund during six months in 1988, when the team became professional.

Keating said he spoke Friday morning with Lindsay Gaze, the player’s father and coach, and with officials from his club team and the Australian basketball federation. Keating said he feels assured that Andrew Gaze did not violate NCAA rules.