DALLAS -- Officials are investigating whether Kansas basketball star
Darrell Arthur was eligible to play in high school, which could affect
whether he should have ever played for the national champion Jayhawks,
according to a television report.
South Oak Cliff High School in
Dallas, which already has forfeited its 2006 title because of
improperly altered grades for another player, is investigating whether
Arthur's grades also were improperly altered, WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort
Worth reported.
The 6-foot-9 Kansas sophomore was second on the
NCAA champion Jayhawks in scoring at 12.8 points a game and second in
rebounding. He has applied for early entry into the NBA draft.
According
to a former teacher and transcripts obtained by WFAA, Arthur was not
passing math as a junior but his grade was changed without the
teacher's knowledge.
Arthur was one of the nation's top recruits
out of high school. The McDonald's All-American led South Oak Cliff to
consecutive state titles, earning tournament MVP both times.
The
station said the NCAA told its reporter that if a player is found to be
ineligible, his college team might have to forfeit any or all games
involving that student.
However, Jim Marchiony, KU's associate
athletic director for external affairs, said he believed that the
investigation into Arthur would not affect the school's basketball
program.
"This is something that happened in high school,"
Marchiony said. "Everything that is discussed right now is speculation.
I know the media and fans like to speculate, but that's not something
we participate in."
Marchiony said high schools send athletes'
transcripts to the NCAA, which determines whether an athlete is
eligible to play in college. Because the NCAA declared Arthur eligible,
Kansas would not have known about any grading problems in high school,
he said.
"I believe that the school district is looking into it,"
Marchiony said. "Right now, the only thing any of us can do is wait to
see the result of that process."
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