Maori Davenport is the No. 15-ranked prospect in the Class of 2019 and a Rutgers women’s basketball signee. But she may not get to play another game in high school, through no fault of her own, after being ruled ineligible due to a USA Basketball mishap.

Davenport has been told she must sit out a year – her last year as a senior – for Charles Henderson High in Troy, Alabama, after the state’s governing body for high school athletics ruled her ineligible after she received and cashed a $850 stipend check – since returned in full - after Davenport helped lead Team USA to a gold medal the FIBA Americas U18 Championship last summer – a check USA Basketball now admits she never should have received.

From an ESPNW report:

USA Basketball routinely pays players small amounts during its summer programs to help them recover costs, including lost wages and employment opportunities.

Typically, USA Basketball confers with high school federations to determine if players are allowed to accept payments. But due to an error USA Basketball admits it made, no call was made to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, which does not allow payments of more than $250.

When USA Basketball realized its mistake, it notified Henderson and the AHSAA. Davenport then sent the money back. But the AHSAA ruled that she was ineligible for one season.

Davenport has already lost two appeals, according to ESPNW, despite the fact USA Basketball has taken complete responsibility for the situation and called for her reinstatement, as has the WNBA. Davenport’s parents are reportedly considering their legal options but have not yet hired an attorney. Davenport could also transfer to a private school outside the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s jurisdiction.

USA Basketball sent stipend checks to other Team USA players with remaining high school eligibility in other states. At least one has had her eligibility restored after returning the money, according to ESPNW.

“I never imagined I would be training a whole season without playing a game, but that seems like what’s happening,” Davenport told ESPNW. “It’s been hard, but I still have hope. Maybe something good can come out of this. Maybe the rule gets changed. It may not help me, but I don’t want this to happen to any other athlete.”

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.