Carmona A No-Show

Alex Carmona, a well built 6-5, 210 pound power forward who played at Troy H.S. in Troy, Ohio, last season, appears headed elsewhere for his final season.

The Dayton Daily News reports today that Carmona didn't show up for the first day of classes on Wednesday. He also missed the first few days of school last year and could show up late again without jeopardizing his standing at Troy. The problem appears to resolve around the state's rules for players whose home is not in the Ohio school district.

Carmona, a native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, returned to Troy in July to make up final exams that he had missed at the end of his junior year. The youth called the school principal in early August saying that he was going to withdraw. No paperwork has been submitted yet.

But there is another issue facing Carmona. Perhaps as a result of the Daily News series on international prep players in Ohio, the Ohio High School Athletic Association is rigidly enforcing its residency rules which require under-age players to live within the school district with their parents or court-appointed legal guardian. A local couple agreed to take on that role but reportedly Carmona has worn out his welcome there.

Carmona has one other option available. Since he turned age 18 this summer, he can live on his own and not require a guardian. He had arranged to live with one of the assistant coaches but that was ruled unacceptable by the OHSAA.

Last season, Carmona averaged 26.9 points and 12.9 rebounds and was named to the Division I All-Ohio second team.

He has been offered scholarships by Dayton and Cincinnati. Louisville, Memphis and Michigan State are also involved with this all-state player.

Carmona competed in last month's adidas ABCD camp and travels with Team Ohio. He has some work to do to become academically qualified.