The country took notice of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) in November after their decision to rob Maori Davenport of her senior basketball season at Charles Henderson High School.
The reasoning? She mistakenly received a check in the mail from USA Basketball for her participation FIBA Under-18 Women’s Americas Championship over the summer. Not knowing it was a mistake at the time, Davenport deposited the check, and she was soon ruled ineligible to play. The Rutgers commit even returned the money in full, but the damage was already done. That is, until a temporary restraining order recently allowed her to suit up again. Now Davenport and her seemingly thousands upon thousands supporters, including former NBA star Kobe Bryant, wait for an official ruling that will determine whether she stays on the court.
Surely those who are in charge will do the right thing. If the AHSAA had any kind of final word or input, I wouldn’t hold my breath, though. This is my first time hearing about the organization, however, you know what they say about first impressions.
Why is that a teenage girl enjoying her final year of high school basketball was thrown under the bus and not USA Basketball for sending the check in the first place? That’s just downright frustrating, and it kind of reminds me of the NCAA.
Why is it that when a college player chooses to transfer schools, they’re penalized and forced to sit out the following season, but if a coach bails on his players for another school, there’s no such penalty?
And why is it that college programs can earn schools millions upon millions of dollars, but the players can be ruled ineligible for accepting something as simple as a free meal? Or a home in the case of former Baylor football player Silas Nacita, who was homeless and later ruled permanently ineligible for accepting a place to live for free.
Here’s a little heads up: Without the players, there is no NCAA or AHSAA for that matter. So, maybe treat them like partners and not enemies. For college sports, maybe it’s finding a way to pay players. From 2014-2016, Texas A&M football averaged annual revenues of $148 million, becoming the country’s most valuable program, according to Forbes. In fact, 11 other schools topped the $100 million mark.
There are those that say players are well-compensated with full-ride scholarships and educations. To me, that still doesn’t seem fair, and that’s putting it lightly. When a driver swoops in front of another car to steal a parking spot, that’s not fair. When someone cheats on a test in order to receive a higher grade, that’s not fair. But, when someone unrightfully takes all the spoils that come along with a multi-million dollar business, well, that’s teetering towards highway robbery.
Maybe there’s another solution, because pay-for-play is no doubt a slippery slope. What’s not, however, is the belief that players deserve better.
Do better, NCAA. Do better, AHSAA. Be in the compassion business, not the greed business.
