Harper Dunn's eligibility case is finalized

The Harper Dunn saga appears to be over.

The state’s top-ranked high school girls basketball prospect, whose eligibility to compete at Albuquerque Academy, her new school, has been in serious doubt for the last couple of months, will indeed get to compete for the Chargers for the 2025-26 season, the Journal learned on Tuesday.

The official word came down Tuesday in a letter from the New Mexico Activities Association.

Because Corona, Dunn’s previous school, will not field a girls basketball team in 2025-26, Dunn will be able to don an Academy uniform, the short letter, dated and signed Tuesday by NMAA Executive Director Dusty Young and addressed to Academy Athletic Director Taryn Bachis, stated.

The NMAA, in a previous letter, had said that if Corona did have a team, Dunn could not compete for the Academy varsity program this season. Largely for that reason, the NMAA rejected a hardship petition by Dunn. And a subsequent appeal of that petition was also denied, a hearing in which Dunn herself spoke at length on her own behalf.

Dunn is a 6-foot-6 junior center/forward, with nearly 30 Division I offers, from some of the most reputable women’s programs in the country.

“It’s a mixed bag for me,” Dunn said of her reaction. “I’m super grateful for the opportunity to play for Academy, but I’m also slightly sad. I was grateful I got to play with the Corona girls, and I hoped they would have a basketball team.”

Young’s latest letter stated the NMAA had received confirmation from Corona about the program’s status.

And this development certainly avoids what might have been a prolonged legal battle . This case was surely headed for a district courtroom.

“It’s the right result, but perhaps not through the right avenue,” said Dunn’s father Blair, who is an attorney.

He also said: “I’d add, I still have a lot of angst that they put these kids in the middle of this dispute, and I really feel bad for the kids at Corona.”

Dunn’s debut with the Chargers is a date to circle:

It is Monday, Dec. 1, a road game at defending Class 4A state champion Gallup. Academy, which returns most of its team from last season, also has a home date the first week of January against the 4A runner-up, Kirtland Central.

Assuming no other playing roadblocks, Dunn “would bolster our already strong frontcourt to be one of the best teams in the state regardless of class,” Academy coach Josh Skarsgard said.

In the meantime, Dunn continues with her preparation for the season. Official practices begin Nov. 17.

“It’s been in the back of my mind,” she said. “I love playing basketball, so it’s a big thing I get to play. … I think we’re gonna have a good season.”

Asked if she was relieved, Dunn said, “Yes, in a way, that I don’t have to fight (anymore).”

She is headed to Los Angeles this upcoming weekend for an adidas All-American camp, which will include a good deal of scrimmaging among some of the top players in the country under the adidas banner.