MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama judge Friday temporarily reinstated the eligibility of high school basketball player Maori Davenport, who was suspended over what her parents described as a mistake payment from US Basketball.

Pike County Circuit Judge Sonny Reagan issued an order stopping the Alabama High School Athletic Association from disqualifying Davenport until the court rules on a complaint filed by the teen’s parents. It is unclear when the court will rule on the complaint.

Davenport, a senior at Charles Henderson High in Troy, Alabama, and a Rutgers signee, had been ruled ineligible for the season by state high school officials after receiving an $857.20 check from USA Basketball, which was repaid.

Davenport played Friday night when Charles Henderson High took on Carroll.

Her parents, in the injunction request filed Friday, said the payment was sent as a mistake by USA Basketball, which normally uses college players. The family said they sent the payment back within 48 hours.

The 6-foot-4 Davenport said earlier this week she doesn’t believe she did anything wrong.

“I hope to play again this year, but if I don’t get to play again, I just want them to help this not happen to any other student-athlete in Alabama,” said Davenport.

USA Basketball said it gave Davenport the check for “lost wages” after she played for the team in a tournament last summer, inadvertently running afoul of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s amateur rule.

She has received an outpouring of support from fans and basketball personnel around the country, including from Golden State Warriors center Demarcus Cousins and from her future Rutgers coach, Vivian Stringer.

“It just makes me feel like the world has my back in this situation, so I’m not wrong on this,” Davenport said.

Copy the Story Link