( CNN ) -- A Florida judge 's ruling Wednesday will allow a foreign-born high school basketball player who was ruled ineligible and his team to compete in the playoffs , even though they could ultimately be stripped of any title they win . Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Spencer Eig temporarily barred the Florida High School Athletic Association from disqualifying Brian Delancy , who was born in the Bahamas , and Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School from the district playoffs , which begin Thursday . Delancy `` is very happy and relieved and he feels happy for his teammates , '' said attorney David Baron , who helped represent the athlete , 19 , and two other players . The board of the athletic association , which said Krop did not file proper paperwork on Delancy 's eligibility and immigration status , on Tuesday ruled he was ineligible and that the top-ranked team must forfeit the 19 games it won when the senior guard played . Eig did not rule on Delancy 's eligibility , but granted a temporary injunction to allow Krop to play until a full slate of hearings and appeals can take place within the athletic association , . Roger Dearing , the association 's executive director , said it was too late to appeal Eig 's ruling and Krop will compete . But , he said , the ruling is not the end of the matter . Dearing said the association will hear new appeals after the tournament , likely in April . Now that Krop is in the playoffs , North Miami High School will be bumped from the four-team field in the district playoffs , Dearing said . `` There is no win for kids here , '' said Dearing . `` What about the schools that played fair ? '' Alan Goldfarb , another attorney for Delancy , said it was unfortunate about North Miami , but the school would not have made the playoffs if the athletic association had not ruled Krop ineligible . Goldfarb said the association only recently decided to act . `` There 's no proof yet that we 've done anything wrong , '' Goldfarb said . Dearing said Krop reported the paperwork issue last week and sought the emergency board appeal . Federal law prohibits school districts from asking about a student 's immigration status . The Florida athletic association does require information on players ' eligibility and residency . The association keeps such records so that `` there is a fair and equitable playing field for all student athletes '' and to discourage recruiting , association spokesman Seth Polansky said Tuesday . Where athletes come from `` is not an issue , '' he said . `` It is the paperwork . '' `` Playing athletics is a privilege and not a right , '' said Polansky , adding that it is up to schools to police themselves on student eligibility . Baron said Delancy first attended a private school , which required an I-20 form . An I-20 is a student visa that gives international students permission to attend school . But Delancy or Krop were not required to provide such a form when he transferred to Krop , a public school , Baron said Tuesday . Dearing said public schools must have such student visa forms and that Delancy 's form had expired . Although the athletic association board ruled Delancy ineligible and vacated the school 's wins , its decision did not keep Krop out of the playoffs , said Polansky . Each district in Florida decides independently how its sports teams will advance in the post-season . The emergency petition that was taken before Eig argued the athletic association never set a hearing or requested information from Delancy before making a `` unilateral '' determination on his eligibility . Dearing disagreed . `` We have due process in every rule in our book , '' he said , adding it was Krop that asked for a waiver of the normal appeals process in order to get a ruling from the full board . Baron argues Delancy has always been forthright with the school on his background and should not have to prove his legal status to play . The athletic association believes Krop is being `` disingenuous '' about its knowledge and compliance with rules , Dearing said . The school was walked through proper paperwork last year because of another case involving international students , he said . The executive director said the athletic association must ensure rules are met . Baron said he knows that Krop could win it all and then lose the crown if the athletic association ultimately decides Delancy was ineligible and the wins should be forfeited . `` These kids are only concerned about playing for the championship , '' he said .
NEW : High school basketball player from Bahamas can play , judge says . Statewide athletic board says Brian Delancy , a native Bahamian , is ineligible . It argues school did not provide proper paperwork on his legal status . Attorney for star says he met requirements and is being singled out .