WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) -- If you have ever seen Whiteville’s Shaun Kirk play basketball it is obvious that every team on the state would want to have him. Thanks to an NCHSAA loophole Kirk has been able to suit up for two different teams this season.
As a sophomore Shaun Kirk was a standout at Whiteville, but over the summer he decided to transfer to Flora-MacDonald Academy in Red Springs to try and generate more college interest.
"It was a great opportunity for me to go there and play against higher competition,” said Shaun Kirk.
While at Flora-MacDonald, Kirk reclassified as a sophomore and played the entire basketball season.
Once their basketball season and six week semester ended on February 14th, Kirk transferred back to Whiteville just in time for the playoffs, but was once again a junior.
"I didn't think that I was going to be able to come back and play, but I was able to, and that's what made me happy,” Kirk.
"They talked to him first and then they talked to me as a coach and we had a little meeting,” said Whiteville Head Coach Jerry Singletary. “I told them it's their vote, but I'm the overall I got the biggest vote but it had to be about them. It's not about him it's about us and that's what he understands."
Whiteville administration did check with the NCHSAA, who cleared Kirk to play because of a loophole that allows students to transfer back and forth from public to private schools without punishment.
However, if a student was to transfer from one public school to another public school they could be suspended from play for up to one year.
"I did it for my family really and it's just great for me to come back and help out my team and my family,” said Kirk. “I'm glad I came back."
Kirk said after the game that he had division one scholarship offers from VCU and Auburn. Kirk has also received interest from Kansas, Kansas State, NC State, and UNC.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
