Former Penn State basketball player Kanye Clary has filed a lawsuit against the university and Mike Rhoades claiming he was a victim of intimidation, retaliation, slander and the illegal use of his name, image and likeness.
The case was initially filed in November 2024 in Philadelphia County, but has since been transferred to the U.S. Middle Court of Pennsylvania. Other defendants named in the lawsuit include the Penn State NIL collective Happy Valley United, former collective Success with Honor, Blueprint Sports and Entertainment, and 10 unnamed individuals and corporations associated with the school.
“Beginning in December of 2023, [Clary] was allegedly a victim of intimidation, retaliation, slander, illegal of use of his Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and ultimately suspension from the basketball team as purported retribution for speaking out against various, alleged injustices that the players have faced from the coaching staff,” Clary’s attorney, Michael Katz, wrote in the 20-page complaint.
As a member of the team during the 2023-24 season, Clary said after he had raised concerns about certain players not being reprimanded for violating team rules, he was the target of unfair treatment from the coaching staff, including Rhoades.
Rhoades was also accused of spreading a false narrative about Clary’s class attendance and performance. The slander, along with the university supposedly incorrectly placing Clary’s transfer portal documentation, made it difficult for other coaches to contact Clary.
Clary also alleges that Penn State NIL collective was using his name, image and likeness without having a deal set in place with him at the time. Rhoades allegedly sent a deal from Blueprint Sports and Entertainment that would have paid him much less than he was due. When Clary refused to sign, the retaliation escalated. The former Nittany Lion claims the Penn State athletic department did not respond to his concerns.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.“The close relationship between the athletic department and Coach Rhoades compromised the athletic department’s ability to fairly protect athletes from the staff’s corrupt nature,” Katz wrote.
When Clary then suffered a concussion, he said he was provided a low level of care and treatment. He also accuses Rhoades of using his injury to further punish him.
Clary was suspended on Feb. 19, 2024, on what he claims as “unfounded and meritless grounds.” His dismissal allegedly followed Penn State legal counsel informing Clary’s father, Anthony Clary, that Rhoades had been told not to make any decisions until she had time to review all sides. Rhoades went ahead with the dismissal from the team despite this counseling.
Rhoades offered very little reasoning on the dismissal outside of it being a “coach’s decision.”
Clary averaged 16.7 points and 2.8 assists in 23 games while at Penn State. He spent this season at Mississippi State, appearing in seven games and averaging 6.3 points and 2.6 assists.
