Auburn Mountainview inquiry linked to Brandon Roy’s firing at Garfield
Published 4:25 pm Monday, March 16, 2026
Auburn Mountainview High School is in the center of a recent story published by the Seattle Times with the headline “Brandon Roy was fired as Garfield coach after recruiting allegation.”
In the story, it is revealed via emails obtained by the Seattle Times that Auburn Mountainview principal Terri Herren initiated an investigation by reaching out to Garfield High School about the alleged transfer of a student-athlete.
The student was allegedly offered through a four-way call — that Garfield boys basketball coach Brandon Roy denies occurred — an apartment, a car, $2,000 cash and a paid driver’s ed course. Offers of monetary value, or any kind, are not allowed by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA).
“She was trying to look out for somebody she loves,” head coach Kendall White said about his principal. “I don’t think she was trying to blow up an operation, or anything to the level it got to by any means. She cares about her kids. … The kid in question is somebody she truly cares about, loves and has a relationship with. I think for her knowing the kid’s background, felt like he was being taken advantage of and given an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.”
According to the Times, Herren called Garfield Principal Tarance Hart about the alleged transfer, and the call went unanswered, so Herren emailed.
“The family is in a tough financial situation, and so this is appealing to them, but the whole family can’t move,” Herren said in an email to Hart, according to the Times. “Only the student and his brother are looking to take the apartment in Seattle to transfer to Garfield.”
Herren also said that an NBA agent joined the call, followed by Brandon Roy midway through, the Times reported.
“Garfield staff promised [the student] an apartment, a car and money to attend Garfield for the 2025-26 school year. … This was confirmed with multiple sources, but [the student] did not give a statement or confirm directly with us,” Auburn Mountainview said in a complaint with the WIAA.
“I know kids are going to leave, I know kids are going to transfer,” White said, defending his principal again: “I think she truly was just looking out for somebody she cares for, becasue if the rumors she heard were true, he was put in a situation where he couldn’t say no.”
In the report, Roy unequivocally denied the allegations. Roy, a Garfield alum who also played for the University of Washington, was a first round NBA Draft pick in 2006. He played for the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves over six seasons, and was named Rookie of the Year after the 2006-2007 season.
