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.”