South Oak Cliff boys basketball coach James Mays II is disputing a story aired Thursday by WFAA-TV (Channel 8) alleging that grades were improperly changed for former SOC standout Darrell Arthur.

The story, supported by transcripts obtained by WFAA, said Arthur had grades changed in September 2005 and should not have been eligible to play basketball according to UIL rules. Arthur, a 6-9 sophomore forward for Kansas, declared for the upcoming NBA draft after helping the Jayhawks win the NCAA championship in April. He was a key player on SOC's 2005 and 2006 state championship teams.

"That's just ridiculous," Mays said of WFAA's report. "He [Arthur] has always been an excellent student, and I can't say anything but good things about him."

WFAA reported Arthur's transcripts showed he received no grades during the fall 2005 semester, but a final grade in math was changed to a passing grade. Mays said Arthur's academics, however, have never been an issue.

"He finished with a 3.0 grade point average this semester [at Kansas], even though he entered the draft." Mays said. "We're not talking about a dumb jock here, and that's what this story makes it sounds like."

Dallas ISD athletic director Jeff Johnson declined to comment, and calls to DISD superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa were not returned. WFAA reported DISD officials were planning to investigate the allegations.

Kansas associate athletic director Jim Marchiony, who spent 17 years working for the NCAA, said he is aware of the situation but said any comment "would really be premature." "Mays on Thursday denied reports that he and former SOC principal Donald Moten – who is no longer with the district – asked a former SOC teacher to award Arthur an unearned passing grade

WFAA reported similar grade improprieties in November, when the eligibility of former SOC player Kendrake Johnigan was questioned.

The investigation led to a January announcement by Hinojosa that SOC would forfeit its 2006 championship. The UIL, however, has yet to officially strip SOC of that title. SOC also won state titles in 2007 and 2008.

Staff writer Chip Brown contributed to this report