Clayton Explains Departure

Geoffrey Clayton, a basketball standout at Magnolia, left the school this week because he was behind academically and was being distracted by rumors that he was transferring to play his senior season elsewhere, his father, Jeffrey, said Wednesday.

But Clayton, a Times’ Orange County first-team point guard who averaged 23.6 points last season as a junior, was not planning to leave until essentially being forced to do so, his father said. The move hits Magnolia’s program especially hard: Coach Al Walin cited Clayton’s departure as a key factor in his decision to resign this week after 27 seasons.

Magnolia Principal Ray Chips declined to provide specifics on the reasons for Clayton’s departure other than to say it was related to a combination of academic and nonacademic issues. Chips said the move was not a result of disciplinary action.

Jeffrey Clayton and Chips said the decision regarding Clayton’s departure was mutual. Chips said he would have encouraged Clayton to leave, though, even if Clayton and his father had resisted the move.

Clayton is eight elective units behind, his father said, which jeopardizes his ability to graduate with his class.

Jeffrey Clayton said his son’s academic status is the result of an oversight. The elder Clayton said he overlooked his son’s elective requirements because he was focused on ensuring that he met his core course requirements.

“I take responsibility for that,” Jeffrey Clayton said.

Clayton said his son expects to make up the credits before the end of the school year through a work-experience program run by the Anaheim Union High School District. Clayton plans to apply for a transfer to another high school by May 15, the deadline for open enrollment transfer applications, his father said.

Much to Clayton’s chagrin, rumors about his school of choice for his senior season began swirling long before his departure from Magnolia. His participation in spring-league games with members of the Los Angeles Verbum Dei High team fueled speculation about a possible transfer.

In recent months, the rumors became almost unbearable for Clayton, who had no plans to leave, his father said.

“Every day he had to hear comments from students and staff [who asked], ‘Are you going to be here or not?’ ” Jeffrey Clayton said. “He got tired of hearing it.”

Clayton turned 18 last month but will retain his athletic eligibility during the 2001-02 school year, provided he straightens out his academic situation. CIF rules state that athletes who turn 19 on or before June 14 of an upcoming school year are ineligible for competition.