Brian Bowen, the five-star forward whose recruitment led to the firings of University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich, has taken a step toward reinstatement.

Attorney Jason Setchen said Thursday that federal authorities have advised Louisville it is now free to investigate and can consider the reinstatement of Bowen because he is clear of "investigative impediments" previously placed by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

The FBI previously told schools implicated in a pay to play scheme to hold off on their internal investigations while federal authorities completed theirs.

“Brian and I are excited with this development and look forward to working with the university and the NCAA to clarify any concerns or issues that they have in furtherance of Brian’s prompt return to competition,” Setchen said.

More from Tim Sullivan:Brian Bowen hires former Kentucky star Derek Anderson as trainer

Related:Text messages show Rick Pitino's involvement in recruiting Brian Bowen

University spokesman John Karman confirmed that Bowen remains enrolled at U of L but declined further comment citing the federal investigation. The university has yet to clarify whether Bowen has simply been suspended on a precautionary basis or been declared ineligible, which would make his reinstatement subject to NCAA approval.

“I remain optimistic based on my dealings with the university,” Setchen said. “So far, the university has been very cooperative and open to having further discussions. I believe the university will give Brian a fair opportunity.”

Telephone calls recorded by the FBI implicated Bowen’s father, Brian Sr., in an alleged scheme involving Cardinals coaches, Adidas representatives and other intermediaries to secure the son’s commitment to U of L in June.

A sworn deposition by the FBI’s John Vourderis described an intercepted call between sports agent Christian Dawkins and a man Vourderis believed to be Bowen Sr., arranging a payment of $19,500 on July 13. A subsequent call between Dawkins and financial advisor Munish Sood indicated the payment was made.

“Brian (Jr.) was not aware of any of the alleged activities,” Setchen said, “and it is our position that he has not violated any NCAA rules or bylaws. ... It’s a fundamental aspect of being an American that we are not held responsible for the actions of other people and we have a right to associate. It is unfair to Brian or any student-athlete to try and punish them for actions of others who are not in their control.”

Setchen’s argument echoes that used on behalf of Cam Newton, who led Auburn to the 2010 BCS championship after allegations that his father had solicited the quarterback’s services to Mississippi State for $180,000. The NCAA subsequently revised its rules to designate parents as agents if they represent or attempt to represent an athlete “for the purpose of marketing his or her athletics ability or reputation for financial gain.”

“While the rules have changed slightly since the Cam Newton case,” Setchen said, “the mitigating factors in Brian’s case are not dissimilar in that he had no knowledge of any of the alleged improprieties.’’

See also:UK AD Mitch Barnhart says FBI NCAA investigation 'not what any of us wanted'

More:Plea deals may be near for 3 charged in FBI investigation into college basketball

Setchen will need to show his client did not directly benefit from his father's involvement in the scheme. NCAA bylaws state that the receipt of "significant monetary benefits from an agent" constitute crossing "the threshold of professionalism" and, therefore, preclude reinstatement.

Stuart Brown, an Atlanta-based attorney experienced with eligibility issues, said it is not the NCAA’s policy to punish athletes for their relatives' actions and predicted that Bowen was likely to gain reinstatement based on the evidence that has surfaced so far.

“I would suspect the young man would get reinstated with some repayment and community service stipulations and some meaningful withholding (from competition), but certainly not a whole season,” Brown said. “That’s presuming that the institution decides that a violation occurred.

“... I’d be very surprised if there were permanent ineligibility.”

Tim Sullivan can be reached at 502-582-4650, tsullivan@courier-journal.com or @TimSullivan714 on Twitter.