Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: Webber ineligible in high school?

Chris Webber was ineligible when he played basketball in high school because of his relationship with a former University of Michigan basketball booster, which violated his amateur standing, the state's governing body for high school athletics has ruled.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association's executive committee said Sunday that Webber was ineligible during the time he played at Birmingham Detroit Country Day. But it left it up to the school to decide whether to forfeit games in which Webber played, including three state championship titles.

"I think they should do it [forfeit the titles]," Jack Roberts, executive director of the MHSSA, told the Detroit Free Press. "I've said it at the first, second and third meetings with them that they should voluntarily forfeit the contests and return the team championships and get it over."

Martin, who died last year at the age of 69, said he gave Webber and his family $280,000 from 1988-93, a period extending from his freshman year of high school through his sophomore season at Michigan. Webber left for the NBA after helping the Wolverines reach the NCAA title game in both of his college seasons.

Webber, who plays for the Sacramento Kings, was sentenced to community service last summer after pleading guilty to criminal contempt for lying to a grand jury about his dealings with Martin.

Webber was suspended without pay for eight games by the NBA on Feb. 17 for violating its drug policy and for pleading guilty to lying to a grand jury. He is eligible to return to the Kings lineup Tuesday vs. the Los Angeles Clippers.
Country Day officials, who appeared before the executive committee Wednesday, disagreed with the MHSAA that Webber's amateur standing was violated. A spokesman for the Oakland County school said Monday that the school was studying the situation and reserving comment, possibly until a news conference later Monday or Tuesday.

Martin gave $616,000 in illicit benefits to Webber, Robert Traylor, Maurice Taylor and Louis Bullock -- who all starred at Michigan. Based on investigations by the government, the NCAA, University of Michigan, the Big Ten Conference and others, the MHSAA found that Webber and Traylor violated amateur status rules.

How did he get into college then?