In search of an edge, elite basketball prospects are repeating a grade — in middle school

Gonzaga's Terrance Williams shoots a free throw during a WCAC game against DeMatha in January. Coaches estimate that between 25 and 50 percent of the conference's varsity basketball players have reclassified before high school.

“We’re just in an odd place right now,” said Jay Bilas, a college basketball commentator for ESPN. “Just let each kid, each parent do what you want to do, that’s fine, do what is best for your kid. But man, there is no way that parents are spending as much time sort of facilitating their kids’ academic success as their athletic success.”

‘A pathway to college’ When parents make the decision to reclass their child, it isn’t as simple as having him retake the same grade at the same elementary or middle school. Instead, parents often transfer their children to a private school, which can be costly, or home-school them for a year. However, some see it as a pivotal step in a player’s preparation for private high school basketball and, eventually, college. For Stefan Marcelle, a ninth grader at Georgetown Prep, reclassing in eighth grade from James Madison Middle School in Prince George’s County to Woods Academy in Bethesda gave him a chance to adjust to a private school academic curriculum before entering high school.

“It’s almost like a badge of honor now,” said James Parker Jr., president of the Premier Youth Basketball League. “Like, ‘I’m good at basketball and I’m focused on the game, so I’m going to reclass.’”

EddieWootenNR It's not an edge when everyone starts doing it.

Pathetic

When rich people bribe elite colleges to accept their lazy kids, the flip side of the coin means that talented kids forfeit their education in order to get the reward they deserve. This sports scheme makes bribery look saintly.

Education Education Latest News, Education Education Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Parent warned Colorado school of a 'repeat of Columbine' 5 months before shootingAn anonymous caller warned Colorado school of a 'repeat of Columbine' 5 months before shooting, according to a letter obtained by ABC News. What does that have to do with guns? This is crap. Every school has bullying and other issues. Just because the school has some bullying does not mean the school is gonna be shot up. If this were true every school would be shot up, but in reality schools are rarely shot up. The tip was likely from a soccer mom. The adult solution to this horror? Every child for themselves. Well done America.
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

STEM School was urged to investigate concerns over 'a repeat of Columbine' months before shootingA woman claiming to be a parent of a STEM School student warned school district administrators in December about her fears of a 'a repeat of Columbine.'
Source: USATODAY - 🏆 100. / 63 Read more »

Minnesota teacher placed on leave after using N-word in front of middle school studentsA Minnesota teacher has been placed on leave after a video showing her using a racial slur while speaking to middle school students went viral, the district said. - NBCBLK end bullying I'm surprised that the teacher's racist and profane words could be so easily heard and understood...given the white hood over her head she was probably wearing. 🥺 Black people use the n word all the time why is that ok?
Source: NBCNews - 🏆 10. / 86 Read more »