COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- High school basketball star LeBron James, expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft, has been ruled ineligible for the rest of the season for accepting clothing as a gift.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association ruled Friday that James has violated amateur bylaws when he accepted clothing with a value of about $850 as a gift from a store in the Cleveland area.
"Lebron capitalized on his talent and his skill to receive the gift," OHSAA commissioner Clair Muscaro said.
Muscaro said he first became aware of the violation Thursday and spoke with store personnel before making his decision. He said the store was to receive an autographed picture of James in return.
OHSAA rules forbid athletes from receiving any kind of apparel worth more than $100.
"This is a major decision affecting a young man's eligibility," said Muscaro, who added that James would have the right to appeal.
The OHSAA also ruled that James's team, Saint Vincent-Saint Mary of Akron, must forfeit its win Sunday because James played in the game after he forfeited his amateur status.
According to various reports, the merchandise was a pair of "throwback" jerseys. One was of Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Gale Sayers and the other of Washington Bullets center Wes Unseld.
The decision came just four days after the OHSAA ruled James did not violate any state bylaws by accepting a Hummer H2 vehicle, which has a base retail price of $50,000, from his mother.
James' mother, Gloria, said she obtained a bank loan to buy the SUV for her son's 18th birthday and provided financial information to the OHSAA for its investigation.
