The Donda Academy will be closed this year following recent anti-Semitic remarks by the Academy’s founder, the artist formerly known as Kanye West.
According to an email from Academy principal Jason Angell, whose copy was obtained by ESPN, the decision to close was the Grammy-winning artist who legally changed his name to Ye.
“Our leadership team is committed to supporting all families during this transition, ensuring that all scholars are quickly and courteously provided with what they need to succeed in their next community.” Angell wrote. “We plan to start fresh in September 2023.”
However, another email signed “Donda’s Parents” obtained by TMZ called for the student to return to the academy on Thursday, leaving the school’s situation in question.
In announcing the closure, the Donda Academy men’s basketball program was revoked invitations to three prominent high school basketball showcases.
Both the Hoophall Classic and the Kentucky Play-by-Play Classic confirmed in a statement that Donda Academy will no longer be participating in the event, and Scholastic Play-by-Play Classic founder Jeremy Treatman said the Academy’s impact on players expressed regret about
“Kanye’s words and actions reflect our values as a company and country, and the diversity, sportsmanship, inclusion and fairness we strive to ensure at every event,” Treatman said in a statement. “While we have strong reasons for this decision, we express our heartache and regret for Donda’s hardworking student-athlete who we will lose most as a result of Kanye’s actions.” It does not reduce.
The City of Palms Classic, the third event Donda Academy was scheduled to play, replaced the academy with Patrick School, New Jersey on Thursday morning.
For weeks, Ye has made anti-Semitic comments in interviews and on social media. That included a post on her Twitter earlier this month that she was going to participate in “Death Con 3 against the Jews.” Both Twitter and Instagram were suspended for his post, but a new post was made to Instagram this week after being suspended.
The closure of Donda Academy is the latest impact of Ye’s controversial remarks. Adidas announced Tuesday that it is ending its partnership with Los Angeles Rams star Yeh. Aaron Donald and Boston Celtics star Jalen Brown Both announced this week that they are leaving the Donda Sports agency.
Donda’s Men’s Basketball Team Features Kentucky Commitment Robert DillinghamRanked No. 8 on the ESPN 100 and top 50 seniors AJ Johnson When Javonte Taylor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
