Officials at North Carolina State University on Monday officially responded to allegations lodged last summer by the NCAA, which questioned a $40,000 payment to former basketball player Dennis Smith Jr.

In a 60-page report submitted by NC State, the university said it "strenuously disputes" and is contesting an accusation in which NCAA officials raised questions about a payment by T.J. Gassnola along with testimony he made during a court hearing last year in New York.

"When this process started, we promised accountability where appropriate and vigorous defense where necessary, and our response does exactly that," Chancellor Randy Woodson said in a written statement. "We look forward to a thorough and accurate review by the panel of the committee on infractions and a fair resolution of this case for the university and the NCAA.”

At issue is a $40,000 payment to former NC State player Dennis Smith Jr., who played a single season at NC State (2016-17) before being selected in the first round of the NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.

Smith, a Fayetteville native, came to NC State as one of the most highly touted players in his high school class.

In court papers, authorities alleged that officials associated with Adidas helped facilitate payments to Smith's family in the fall of 2015 to make sure the top prospect remained committed to play for the Wolfpack. It also alleges that a coach at NC State helped get money to Smith's family.

NC State's response was prepared by an outside law firm, and the NCAA has 60 days to respond to the filing.

"NC State takes its responsibility for NCAA rules compliance and the integrity of its intercollegiate athletics programs seriously," the school wrote in its response. "The athletics department has implemented extensive policies procedures and systems designed to detect, deter and prevent potential NCAA rules violations and, if violations nonetheless occur, to detect and report them."

In its filing with the NCAA, NC State said it was willing to:

Pay a $5,000 fine.

Give up a student scholarship for the 2021-22 recruiting class.

Reduce its number of recruiting visits during the 2019-20 academic year.

The next step is for the NCAA's Committee on Infractions to consider the filing by NC State and make a ruling.

That hearing won't occur until sometime next year, which would precede a ruling by the NCAA.

The association could impose several forms of punishment on NC State, ranging from imposing a fine, vacating wins from the university's 2016-17 season, prohibiting the school from post-season play.