Whitney Young Basketball Practice Probed

CHICAGO (STMW) -- According to IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman, the IHSA is officially looking into Whitney Young's boys basketball practice at Burr Ridge Middle School on Nov. 12.

The IHSA sent Young a letter on Tuesday asking them to explain the situation.

"We are awaiting a response," Hickman said. "It's an odd deal that's for sure. I think it's highly unusual that a school would hold a practice miles away from their district. We're giving them an opportunity to respond and will see what they say."

Young coach Tyrone Slaughter confirmed to the Sun-Times last week that the practice happened, but didn't give a specific reason why.

"It's not against the rules," Slaughter said. "There is no rule against it. There is nothing."

Hinsdale South coach Vince Doran believes Young held the practice as a recruiting event.

"They are recruiting players," Doran said. "I know one of the kids. His father confided in me. I coached his older son and have a good relationship with the family. He has 12 schools recruiting him, most of them from Chicago."

Burr Ridge Middle School Principal Julie Bartell said the practice was "an opportunity for our students."

According to the IHSA rulebook, it is a violation to "induce or attempt to induce or encourage any prospective student to attend any member school for the purpose of participating in athletics even when special remuneration or inducement is not given."

The IHSA rulebook does not specifically mention anything about holding practices at middle schools—whether they are in a high school's district or not.

Young beat North Lawndale in a home game on Tuesday night and will face Kentucky recruit Anthony Davis and Perspectives-MSA at Chicago State on Thursday. That game will be televised on ESPNU.

--Sun-Times, via the Sun-Times Media Wire

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)