December 15, 2017 – This is the second national transfer issue that has gone to court concerning players eligibility in high school boys basketball. Two transfers to Memphis East, who were ruled ineligible by the TSSAA, received a restraining order and both players are playing for their coach, former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway.
Below are links that are currently taking place that are related to high-profile transfers around the country:
Related:
- Preseason – SSN National Public HS Boys Basketball Rankings
- SSN #1 Clarkson Loses Michigan State Commit, Ruled Ineligible By MHSAA
- Questionable CPS Eligibility Ruling Reversed
- Memphis East ‘Restraining Order’ Could Have Major Impact On HS Sports Across The US
DETROIT, MI – Trial Attorneys Ven Johnson of Johnson Law, PLC and Steve Fishman announced today that they have been hired by 18-year-old high school senior Thomas Kithier (Michigan State commit) and his family to help him overcome the decision by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) blocking him from playing basketball his senior year at Clarkston High School.
Following his junior year at Dakota High School, Thomas and his family considered other schooling options, including transferring to a prep school. After researching the move the family jointly decided that 18-year-old Thomas, a legal adult, would move from his parents’ Macomb home to an apartment in Clarkston so he could attend Clarkston High School.
Thomas and his family completed the necessary transfer documents and submitted them to Clarkston High School for finalization. After a significant delay, Thomas learned that Dakota objected to him playing basketball for Clarkston and falsely alleged the educational transfer was unduly influenced and athletically-motivated and asked the MHSAA to investigate. As a result, the MHSAA improperly ruled Thomas ineligible to play this season.
Ven Johnson
“Dakota’s gross misconduct has threatened Thomas’ ability to attend Clarkston High, the school of his choice, simply because they would be losing their star basketball player. A high school senior and legal adult should be allowed to attend school anywhere he or she wants. Whether that includes playing basketball, volleyball, being a member of the marching band or of the drama club is completely irrelevant.”
Steve Fishman
“If the MHSAA’s arbitrary and capricious decision is allowed to stand Thomas will be irreparably harmed. Ven Johnson and I are investigating every legal option available to Thomas and his family, and will be moving forward immediately. This young man deserves all the fruits of his hard work and dedication.”
Stateline Sports Network 
Ben Johnson and Steve Fishman — I couldn’t have said it any better! I am very proud of this student taking Dakota and MHSAA to court!! It’s about time there is an impartial decision maker who will have all of the facts and are not colluding together to ruin a students senior year.
Dakota and MHSAA should be ASHAMED of their PATHETIC VINDICTIVE behavior.
One would think we are dealing with children not “ adults “. The only adult here is Thomas! He is handling the situation with dignity and grace.
The facts are: Thomas followed ALL of the transfer rules TO THE LETTER OF THE LAW!!!!
Interesting, MHSAA and Dakota were consulted throughout the process and did not have any problems or concerns UNTIL the name of the student was revealed!!!
I can only hope that both organizations lose this lawsuit and are no longer able to sustain their jobs!! Bankruptcy comes to mind and both organizations deserve this severe of a punishment!!!
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I just can’t understand how a district and it’s schools would be perfectly fine, even enough to get signed to MSU, and then for the final year of his education be “toxic”.
There are text messages from the Kithier parents and from Thomas to the coaches at Dakota how wonderful they have been to Thomas.
Furthermore, high school classes are taken to get into a good college. Mr. Kithier has already secured that spot at MSU. So what does two classes matter. It’s the higher education classes that will further Mr. Kithier in his career.
I simply cannot see how him not playing basketball for one season ruins his future. I’m sure Izzo will still be able to use and develop Thomas’s skills.
I think the Kithier family wanted a Cadillac for Christmas and instead got a lump of coal. Now they want to sue Santa.
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