Coach denies allegations about player

Jeff Tully

There is little doubt senior point guard Kevin Greene has been one

of the most valuable players for this season’s Burbank High boys’

basketball team.

However, there have been rumblings about the player’s eligibility,

and some claim Greene has already played four years of high school

basketball.

Greene, a 5-foot-11 sharpshooter, transferred to Burbank from

Venice High. First-year Bulldog Coach Dave Goosen coached Greene at

Venice two seasons ago.

Goosen said there is no truth to allegations that Greene was a

senior two years ago while playing at Venice.

“That’s not true. He was a sophomore two years ago,” Goosen said.

Goosen also said he can’t understand why rumors have been

circulated about Greene.

“I have no idea where they came from and why people would say

that,” he said.

However, there are those who claim Greene was already used up his

high school eligibility.

One coach is a longtime acquaintance of Goosen, and knows the

Venice program well. The coach agreed to talk about Greene -- and

Goosen -- only with the stipulation his name not be used.

“Without a doubt, two years ago Kevin Greene was the senior point

guard on the Venice boys’ basketball team. That I’m sure of,” the

coach said. “There is the possibility that he could have been

considered a junior because of his academics. But it was his fourth

year playing basketball.

“The situation is just not right for the people taking part in

it.”

Greene and two other Bulldog players are currently academically

ineligible. Four players were sidelined when grades came out just

before the holiday break.

“I lost one of my best players [Greene], probably the best point

guard in the [Foothill] League,” Goosen said. “Four players out of my

eight-man rotation are ineligible.”

Before his ineligibility, Greene had three straight triple-double

games, including 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists Dec. 13 in a

103-60 nonleague win against Downtown Business Magnet.

The team began the season 5-1, and is now 6-5.

If Burbank is deemed to have used an illegal player, the team

would have to forfeit five victories.

In the CIF Southern Section Blue Book Constitution and Bylaws,

Section 201A, it reads: “No student shall be granted ... more than

four years participation in any sport.”