KIPP Academy's trans player reportedly injuring 3 girls has hoops world fuming: "Every Dad watching their daughter play against this dude is coward"

The on-court actions of a KIPP Academy trans basketball player have reignited the gender debate in sports.

The girls' basketball game between KIPP Academy and Collegiate Charter School of Lowell on Feb. 8 ended at halftime after three players from Collegiate Charter suffered injuries. With KIPP leading 31-14 after 16 minutes, Collegiate Charter forfeited the game. The outcome is recorded as a 10-0 forfeit win for KIPP.

KIPP had a biological male who identified as female in the team. She was reportedly responsible for hurting three Collegiate Charter players after overpowering them on the court, according to multiple publications, including the Daily Mail.

The incident has high school and college basketball fans fuming. It further sparked the debate of whether trans players should be allowed to participate in gender sports. Let's take a look at some of the fan reactions on X to the incident:

Does the rule permit KIPP Academy to field trans players?

As per the rules, the KIPP Academy trans player can play in games. This is supported by the laws of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governing body for high school athletics in the Commonwealth. As per the MIAA Handbook, Section 43.3.1:

"A student shall not be excluded from participation on a gender-specific sports team that is consistent with the student’s bona fide gender identity."

However, the MIAA does emphasize that this rule should not be implemented to gain a competitive advantage, as specified in the MIAA Handbook, Section 43.3.2:

“When a school district submits a roster to the MIAA, it is verifying that it has determined that the students listed on a gender-specific sports team are eligible to participate either based on the gender listed on their official birth certificate or based on their bonafide gender identity and that no students are included on the roster solely for the purpose of gaining an unfair advantage in competitive athletics.

"The MIAA shall defer to the determination of the student and the student’s school regarding gender classification.”

Collegiate Charter athletic director Kyle Pelczar claimed the early exit from the game had nothing to do with the trans player.

“Coach (Kevin Ortins) knew going into the game, already, because we had them at home the first game of the year and nothing happened then, so he knew going into the game,” Pelczar said.

However, KIPP Athletic Director Anthony Grimaldi declined to respond to questions regarding whether the school believes the player was the cause of the forfeit.