Notable players who could return to college

akaukswoosh

Hall of Famer
Jan 14, 2006
79,678
122,197
93
Pate’s a guy I liked in high school. That said if Pope and Co can’t land the most elite hs kids, there’s no reason to think they can reel in Pate, who would have a ton of suitors if he decIded to do college.
 

Rainmaker

Senior
May 13, 2015
452
941
93
Juan Nunez is the best fit for what we’d need off that list. That being said I don’t believe any of those take the college route mid season.
 

rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
1,686
1,591
97
Let just make this crap up as we go....

We may not capitalize on getting one of these guys but someone will.

The whole thing that used to be college basketball is gone. This is a payers market and a players goldmine. It's certainly not college basketball as we all knew it before this NIL junk.
 

Blue Jesus

Junior
Aug 24, 2013
134
222
43
Assuming that academics is still a thing, are these folks really interested in sitting in classrooms and taking classes ?? Can't help but wonder ... ??
Yeah obviously "student athlete" has always been a bit of an oxymoron for these top guys but bringing literal pros back to play "college" basketball will definitely push that descriptor to its limit...
 
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Blue Jesus

Junior
Aug 24, 2013
134
222
43
I doubt he is either but I figure for the right money, maybe….
Putting aside the death of the sport I love for a minute... From a dollar value perspective adding literal pros to the roster seems like a better investment than all but the best transfers or high schoolers, even if they all command top-end NIL money. $4m for a former 2nd round pick with a year or two of training at the semi-pro level vs the Dioubates, Lowes, and Aberdeens of the world for $1.5-3m(?) each, you can't get the same depth but I think that's overrated anyway. You still want a JQ or Dybantsa any chance you can get one of course.
 

Jazzycat

All-Conference
May 23, 2002
16,059
4,626
113
Pandora’s box is wide open…if a player has eligibility left and wants to work on a degree and return to college, I don’t know what can stop them from doing so based on the current situation. I would rather sign a pro athlete at 2 million than a high school grad at the same amount. Jmo
 

TheResistance

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
1,199
2,567
113
If we can do it why not? I could see the players wanting Johnson to be the back up PG but maybe we just need to take a shot
 

dynastydreamuk

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2010
1,715
1,121
113
embarrassing?

These are the times, these are the new rules. We better take advantage of them because you better believe our Rivals will. Play the game how it is now or get left behind.

Nothing is changing any time soon, I don't think complaining about it is going to do anything. Start watching division 2 basketball if it upsets you so much because college basketball is not going back to the way it used to be, i Hate to tell you
 
Dec 12, 2023
760
843
93
Cal was right about one thing...the NCAA is DONE! They have no purpose anymore. Lets lead the way to the new normal...whatever that is.

I don't like it either but the NC?AA is a defunct group that is only here to profit from the tournament!!!!!

Kinda makes ya wonder who anointed them king in the first place, doesn't it?

The NCAA should disband and a new G-League type of conglamoration should emerge from this **** show. Isn't that the gist of what Cal said a few years ago?
 
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Catzman

Heisman
Apr 29, 2002
16,853
13,170
113
Pandora’s box is wide open…if a player has eligibility left and wants to work on a degree and return to college, I don’t know what can stop them from doing so based on the current situation. I would rather sign a pro athlete at 2 million than a high school grad at the same amount. Jmo
Jazz, you hit the nail directly on the head with these observations/facts. UK has fallen below elite level teams recently. College athletic rules have changed tremendously. UK should be at the forefront to take advantage of these many changes. Recruit hs, transfer portal, and yes even current semi-pros/pros. The landscape is so very competitive and expensive. WE should eat first and have a variety of menu choices to choose from. Go BBN!!!
 

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
10,985
17,283
113
embarrassing?

These are the times, these are the new rules. We better take advantage of them because you better believe our Rivals will. Play the game how it is now or get left behind.

Nothing is changing any time soon, I don't think complaining about it is going to do anything. Start watching division 2 basketball if it upsets you so much because college basketball is not going back to the way it used to be, i Hate to tell you
Do not try to thought-police others. For me and others, it IS an embarrassing situation. Doing anything possible to win, whether it's the right thing to do or not, is not a winner mentality in my book. But I'm not going to sit here and tell you to deal with it or else.
 

Rick Honcho

All-Conference
Apr 19, 2011
1,375
1,301
103
With the ever expanding ripple of NIL and the portal, I’m among those who follow college sports less and less. But there was a semi-notable name in the OP’s post who brought back memories of when life was less complicated:

Will Travers

 
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mc140

All-Conference
May 29, 2001
8,771
2,822
113
Assuming that academics is still a thing, are these folks really interested in sitting in classrooms and taking classes ?? Can't help but wonder ... ??

Academics are not a thing. You sign up for online classes and pay for someone to take them for you. Like many college athletes do.
 

UK_BlueBlood

All-American
May 21, 2002
4,248
9,117
103
The only way this would work, is if the entire team approaches the coaching staff and tells them this is what they want, I don't think it can work any other way.
While in think this new landscape of college basketball is ridiculous, I’m going to say the players on the team better learn to just deal with stuff like this if it happens. THEY want to be paid like professionals. Well, then they are going to get treated like they play for a professional basketball team. Professional teams manage their rosters whenever and however they see fit. The players (generally) don’t decide who gets drafted, traded, etc.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
48,887
67,784
113
While in think this new landscape of college basketball is ridiculous, I’m going to say the players on the team better learn to just deal with stuff like this if it happens. THEY want to be paid like professionals. Well, then they are going to get treated like they play for a professional basketball team. Professional teams manage their rosters whenever and however they see fit. The players (generally) don’t decide who gets drafted, traded, etc.
Oh I agree, but this team seems to have a chemistry that is hanging on by a thread and I think they were pumped full of too much over-the -top positivity from the recruiting process on, so I'm not sure the locker room can handle something like this.

This is just my thought though. I like the individual guys on this team, they just haven't meshed well so far.
 

CRZ4UK

All-American
Jun 6, 2008
4,529
9,185
103
Cal was right about one thing...the NCAA is DONE! They have no purpose anymore. Lets lead the way to the new normal...whatever that is.

I don't like it either but the NC?AA is a defunct group that is only here to profit from the tournament!!!!!

Kinda makes ya wonder who anointed them king in the first place, doesn't it?

The NCAA should disband and a new G-League type of conglamoration should emerge from this **** show. Isn't that the gist of what Cal said a few years ago?
You do know our AD still believes the NCAA is the end all/ be all right. One thing no one talks about is Mitch insisted the JMI contract reads that they can not break any NCAA rule in place. We are the only program still following their rules to the letter. Mitch would fight hard against bringing in one of the G league guys.
 
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Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
20,632
7,745
113
Lots could be said in this thread.

For some it would seem to be an embarrasing thought, to go pickup a guy like this, but look and see what Baylor just did. And if the dUKe's and UNC's*** of the world start drawing from this talent pool ( as good or bad as it may be) and Kentucky is struggling, you know UK fans will be up in arms that CMP didnt jump on (insert players name here) to get him to come here first.

My thought is, it's wide open out there, a wild west economy, the NCAA as we knew it is dead.

Take advantage of every avenue possible, for some, it may be very well end up as a bust and lose-lose scenario to even go here in the first place, for others, a home run hit would make eyes open wide and then watch everyone be scrambling to find eleigibility time left players.

Maybe such a case as Kentucky faces, with injuries, it could be an unexpected benefit to open players like this up to the process and bring them in. It could backfire completely, heads would roll. It could be a no difference maker and a waste of time and money. Or lightning can strike, and then how would that affect the entire process of how things are going ? People will either be up kin arms at the failure or over the top in approval if such a move succeeded.

I can understand how, for BBN, it would be considered EMBARRASING to be in a situation where you would want to have to turn to this area to salvage things in midseason. With great intentions and good chemistry and attidue, maybe a player can fit into the team and provide a big surprise. Then again, it still could be a disaster - good intentions notwithstanding. The road to hell has been paved by good intenetions all along.

I look at the entire situation as say - in extremis situations, go for it, I am sure some big time program will make a move and it be converted into a successful pull. I won't be surprised if it happens. We might look at Baylor and see how acquiring the new 7 foot big guy turns out for them. But consistent, long-term reliance on this to get your players..... ???

uggghhhh.... I cringe.

It's another brick in the wall for the N.arcoleptic C.aterwauling C.ollective A.sswipe organization..... aka - the NCAA in my book. That would be a good thing. But the entire eligibility situation as a source to acquire players could be another way to work the rules and succeed in a system.

It's not for me to say, but I don't think Kentucky ever would want to work things out with a player in this situation, except in the most dire of circumstances, and we arean't there for it, at least ... not yet. If it does come to pass we have to make a move in this direction, it would be a sure sign UK has lost it's way, because we should NEVER have to rely on this avenue for a source of talent on any given season's roster. EVER.

just my .02
 
Sep 6, 2025
109
176
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Cal was right about one thing...the NCAA is DONE! They have no purpose anymore. Lets lead the way to the new normal...whatever that is.

I don't like it either but the NC?AA is a defunct group that is only here to profit from the tournament!!!!!

Kinda makes ya wonder who anointed them king in the first place, doesn't it?

The NCAA should disband and a new G-League type of conglamoration should emerge from this **** show. Isn't that the gist of what Cal said a few years ago?
Except when that new "G League" forms, it won't draw nearly enough eyeballs to be sustainable. Minor league sports don't sell well on a national level. It's why G-League games are on ESPN+. No way a TV rights deal or anything for that type of league would draw interest. People will just watch pro sports because there's no purpose in watching an inferior product.
 
Dec 12, 2023
760
843
93
Except when that new "G League" forms, it won't draw nearly enough eyeballs to be sustainable. Minor league sports don't sell well on a national level. It's why G-League games are on ESPN+. No way a TV rights deal or anything for that type of league would draw interest. People will just watch pro sports because there's no purpose in watching an inferior product.
Ya might be right but I think the name on the front of the Jersey will sell tickets and you and me will still watch it. Again, I hate this crap and it should never have gotten to this point. But we're here, like it or not.
 

Monday Nitro

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
2,536
4,757
112
Pate’s a guy I liked in high school. That said if Pope and Co can’t land the most elite hs kids, there’s no reason to think they can reel in Pate, who would have a ton of suitors if he decIded to do college.
I thought we didn’t want one year guys?
 

sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,087
3,122
113
Embarrassing
100% agree. I used to be thoroughly engaged in everything UK basketball. I kept up with recruiting year-round. Lately, high school recruiting has been a complete no show and, I just can't get excited, or even believe, that we are following G League recruiting targets now. After years of disliking the NCAA, I actually miss a few of the old regulations.
 
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Sep 6, 2025
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Ya might be right but I think the name on the front of the Jersey will sell tickets and you and me will still watch it. Again, I hate this crap and it should never have gotten to this point. But we're here, like it or not.
I definitely won't. Just licensing out the name "UK" to a team that may not even play in Rupp anymore is not going to make me watch. People watch because of teams connections to their local communities, not because they are wearing a licensed name.

At the end of the day, a glorified XFL/USFL/G-League won't sell.