Iti Move Would Violate Pledge

Allowing Martin Iti to transfer to his fifth high school in a little more than two years would violate pledges made to the mother of the Villa Park junior that convinced her to drop her mission to have her son returned to Australia, an attorney said Wednesday.

Ronald E. Lais, who has been waging a legal battle to allow Iti to play basketball at Villa Park, said he was surprised to learn the 6-foot-11 center had contacted Las Vegas Bishop Gorman Coach Bob Hubbard about a possible transfer.

Lais, who said his client has already been offered a scholarship from USC, said he does not believe another move is in Iti’s interest.

“The problem here is that the emphasis is on basketball and not academics,” Lais said. “He is struggling this year with his schoolwork and is three courses behind.”

Another transfer would also violate Lais’ pledge last summer to Iti’s mother, Legine Lovinia Paraita, to keep the youth at Villa Park if Paraita dropped efforts to have her son return to Australia. Lais said Iti’s guardian, Courtney Rosegreen, also agreed to support that pledge.

But Hubbard confirmed that Rosegreen and Iti had contacted him about a possible transfer.

Iti is serving a one-year suspension for allegedly misleading Orange Unified High School District officials about his academic status when he left Australia. According to Southern Section rules, Iti’s athletic eligibility expires this season, effectively ending his high school career.