Morehouse College Allegedly Cancels Donda Basketball Tournament Over Kanye West’s Anti-Semitic Remarks
Private historically black men's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. Anchored by its main campus of 61 acres near downtown Atlanta, the college has a variety of residential dorms and academic buildings east of Ashview Heights, Morehouse College Morehouse College on Monday distanced itself from Ye when it announced a tournament it planned to host Sunday featuring a game between Donda Academy and The Skills Factory has been canceled.
The future of the elite prep basketball team from Donda Academy, the private school started by Kanye West, remains at best unclear after yet another rebuke and canceled game.
It marked the latest fallout since the antisemitic remarks made by the rapper now known as Ye, who was expected to attend the game. Ye also falsely claimed earlier this month that George Floyd Floyd’s death was fentanyl-related even though Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murdering Floyd by pinning down Floyd’s neck with his knee, per USA Today.
“Throughout its history, Morehouse College, perhaps more than any other institution, has stood for social discourse which advances equity and healing, particularly in areas involving race, culture, and socio-economic disparities," the HBCU school said in a statement. “We therefore cannot condone, in perception or implication, the recent divisive and unproductive statements by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.''
In a written statement, Morehouse spokesperson Cedric Mobley said: “Throughout its history, Morehouse College, perhaps more than any other institution, has stood for social discourse which advances equity and healing, particularly in areas involving race, culture, and socio-economic disparities. We therefore cannot condone, in perception or implication, the recent divisive and unproductive statements by Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.”
News of the basketball event had been rebounding around the internet over the weekend. In promoting the game, Ye’s Instagram post said: “Some establishments still stood up that’s love #lovespeech.” He also posted a link to purchase tickets, which ranged from $20 to $500, according to the site, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
The online description of the event said it would be a chance to support the team at “a star studded night of hoops alongside Jaylen Brown and many other A-list celebs.”
On Twitter, Brown called the cancelation “an unfortunate retraction” and added that “the kids and family appreciate the consideration.” He wrote: “Currently looking for another solution.”
On a campus with more than a half-dozen bungalows, there was no sign of students, teachers or members of the elite prep basketball team. Yet, unlike the school, the basketball team has yet to shut down – despite being disinvited last week by four tournaments during the ongoing fallout over West’s antisemitic comments.
About 15 minutes away, members of the basketball team were working out at Sports Academy, previously owned by Kobe Bryant and named Mamba Academy before Bryant’s death in 2020. But it's still unclear if and when the season will start for the Donda Doves.
A USA Today reporter on Monday was stopped at the front desk of the Sports Academy in Newbury Park, California. She said she would contact Dorell Wright, the head basketball coach at Donda Academy.
A few minutes later, she returned and said, “Coach Wright is unavailable.’’
Might he be available later?
She shook her head and smiled.
Wright has not replied to repeated messages from USA TODAY Sports seeking comment.
Kimberly Hicks, the mother of Donda Academy starting forward Justin Johnson said Wright has told her the team intends to play this season. But there are complications for the Donda Doves.
They were scheduled to open the season Nov. 3 against Minnesota Preparatory Academy at the Minnesota Shorty Classic. But Lucas Patterson, head coach at Minnesota Preparatory Academy, said on Saturday Donda Academy has been replaced because it could not fulfill obligations such as a confirmed date of arrival.
Sources: The Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA Today
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