Basketball transfers declared ineligible

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Four boys’ basketball players who transferred from Sylmar to Van Nuys have been declared ineligible by City Section Commissioner Barbara Fiege for violating a new state CIF rule that penalizes athletes who follow a former coach to another school.

Victor Rudd, Guy Landry, Mat Hankins and Willie Hankins won’t be allowed to practice or play games for Van Nuys because they enrolled after former Sylmar assistant Coach Charles White was hired to coach at Van Nuys. The sanctions last for one season.

‘Any [basketball] student who transferred from Sylmar to Van Nuys is ineligible,’ Fiege said.

The state rule that went into effect this year was designed to prevent students from following former coaches. Before making the ruling, Fiege asked for a clarification of the rule from the CIF state office.

The players are expected to file an appeal and could end up challenging the ruling in court if their appeal fails. City Section basketball practice begins on Monday.

-- Eric Sondheimer