Posted by Kanye West‘s Donda Academy was off to a solid start, recruiting some of the nation’s top high school stars for its basketball team. But it appears the school has run into some controversy.
On Wednesday (October 13), Hollywood Unlocked reported Donald Dillingham, the father of Donda recruit Robert Dillingham, hasn’t heard from his son in 21 days. The 16-year-old athlete reportedly told his coach at Combine Academy in North Carolina that he wouldn’t be returning and would instead play his junior year at Kanye’s burgeoning school in California.
However, Donald said he did not permit his son to enroll at Donda Academy and instead found out he left on television. Mr. Dunningham contacted Shayla Scott, Director of Athletics and Academics at Donda Academy, but was told she’s “authorized” not to speak to him.
If the story wasn’t already strange, Kanye West has also been accused of pressuring Robert Dillingham to join his Donda Academy. Kanye allegedly asked the teenager, “Are you coming here or are you going to let it go?” during a FaceTime call.
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A trainer that the Dillingham family allegedly knew named Rico Grier took Robert to California without Donald’s consent. The father of the Donda recruit contacted Grier, who is also said to be a convicted felon, but got no help in finding his son. Mr. Dunningham told Hollywood Unlocked that Grier moved his family to California.
Donald Dunningham also said his son’s mother isn’t answering his calls and thinks Kanye paid her a hefty sum to send Robert off to Donda Academy. Donald states he has joint custody of his son and has supported his buzzing basketball career, something Robert’s mother hasn’t done. He doesn’t think Kanye West knows everything about his son transferring but Donald Dunningham wants to get to the bottom of the controversy.
Donda Academy is slated to open in the coming school year in Simi Valley, California and Kanye is looking to have it be a rival to nearby Sierra Canyon. The school will reportedly host grades kindergarten through 12th grade and be tuition-free for 60 students.
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Five-star recruit Jahki Howard announced on October 5 that he’d be transferring to Donda Academy. Four-star recruit Jalen Hooks will also be enrolling at the school.