CIF Will Not Punish 8 Players : Prep basketball: Attendance at Nike camp after Sept. 1 violated rule, but athletes did so unknowingly, officials say.

The California Interscholastic Federation ruled Wednesday that the eight basketball players from the state who attended an all-star tournament sponsored by Nike earlier this month, committed a violation. The CIF also decided it will not punish the players.

Thomas Byrnes, CIF commissioner, said he decided against penalties because it was clear the players did not knowingly break the rule.

The invitation-only tournament, held at Nike’s headquarters in Beaverton, Ore., Sept. 10-12, showcased 37 of the best high school players in the nation. But the tournament violated a CIF rule, which prohibits athletes from participating in all-star tournaments from Sept. 1 until the end of basketball season.

Because high school rules vary from state to state, Nike officials admitted they erred by not thoroughly researching all of the them. They attempted to rectify any potential eligibility problems Wednesday by calling each state association in question.

“We didn’t do our homework,” said Keith Peters, the company’s public relations director. “We didn’t contact the right people. We didn’t contact enough people.”

Other states’ high school associations are continuing investigations for possible violations.

The California players who participated were Toby Bailey of Los Angeles Loyola, Cameron Murray of Glendora, Schea Cotton and Jelani Gardner of Bellflower St. John Bosco, Miles Simon of Santa Ana Mater Dei, Rick Price of Gardena Serra, Tim Young of Santa Cruz Harbor and J.R. Henderson of Bakersfield East.

All are seniors except Cotton, a freshman. Bailey and Henderson have already made oral commitments to UCLA and Murray to USC.

The “Nike Career Developmental Weekend,” designed by the company’s sports-marketing division, was organized to showcase the nation’s top players in front of major college coaches. It concluded with two games before 1,800 fans at a local high school. Proceeds totaling $10,000 were donated to the Oregon School Activities Assn.

The players, who missed a day of school to attend the tournament, had all expenses paid for by Nike. In addition, they also received free equipment estimated at several hundred dollars and a $100 gift certificate to use in the company’s store.

Byrnes said the free equipment and gift certificates were not CIF violations. The only violation he could rule on was that the tournament was held after Sept. 1.

“This was a clear violation and the punishment is that the players be barred from all CIF competition,” Byrnes said. “But there is an appeal rule which gives me latitude to set aside that punishment, and I used it in this case.

“Our rules are to protect the students and not punish them,” he said. “Our investigation proved that it was the adults who were in the wrong here. And we have no power to punish Nike, so I didn’t want to make the kids pay the price.”

Bailey, a 6-foot-5 guard, said he was relieved he would not lose any eligibility, but said he did not regret attending the camp.

“Just to avoid any problems,” he said, “my father has already reimbursed Nike for the $100 (gift certificate).”