Last year, just about this time, Jabari Bird’s family and his head coach were scrambling to get the 6-5 Benicia High School transfer to Salesian-Richmond reinstated with his high school basketball eligibility. It seems that there were a few oversights on his CIF/NCS Form 510 failing to disclose his contact and affiliations with his new high school, Salesian-Richmond. One oversight being that Jabari Bird’s father did not report that his son had played on an AAU team during the summer with a Salesian-Richmond basketball player at his new transfer high school.

Long story, short, Jabari Bird’s eligibility was eventually reinstated, but numerous Salesian-Richmond games still needed to be forfeited.

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Given that Jabari Bird’s basketball talent had not only attained regional attention but national attention, his decision on which high school to play could tip the balance for his team in the league and in the North Coast Section. The situation received significant attention and local press.

This year another young basketball player at Monte Vista High School in Danville, CA transferred to his crosstown rival San Ramon Valley High School. Similar oversights were also made on his CIF/NCS Form 510 as those in the case of Jabari Bird. However, the Monte Vista transfer is not as large of a consequential player as was Jabari Bird.

The question, should this Monte Vista player and his transfer school receive the same treatment and penalties as Jabari Bird, or should the CIF/NCS overlook the oversights given that his transfer may not tip the balance for his team in league play.

Please post your opinion. Additional information on the transfer situation is available at Danville’s Town Forum..

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Thank you.