Last year it was Quade Green and this year it’s Khalil Whitney. Are they disillusioned, did Cal give up on them? Are they not getting what they need developmentally? Did the paychecks stop coming? Maybe all of the above? I do have to wonder why top kids continue to go there when this is actually “a thing” and not a rarity. I can’t think of a highly recruited player just packing up at mid season at any other school. It just seems odd to me.
What’s With UK Players Leaving Midseason?
- Thread starter OlhamCardinal
- Start date
They expect to play a key role and when they don't they exit and try to find someplace that will give them the key role. Happens lots of places. I guess the thing different about when it happens at UK/Duke is their position has another top shelf player coming in following year guaranteed so that might expedite their departure.
That is a high number. Feels like they kind of have try outs and then play a short bench ever year - maybe to inflate #'s for the guys turning pro. So there are "winners" and "losers" I guess?
This is exactly right. And it’s true that it happens more at a school like UK because so many recruits are top 20 in their classes. Many of those players expect to be on the court a lot during that freshman year, because they are planning to be a one and done player.
As preposterous as this sounds for a player who couldn’t even get on the floor at UK, Whitney could very well be leaving to prepare for the NBA draft, because the one and done route might have been his plan all along.
Here’s my opinion. They get back from Christmas break and have to go to classes. Some of these guys (not all) are here for the basketball and nothing else. College is awesome if you don’t have to go to class. I think these guys can’t finish the semester out.
He may give it a try. His stock dropped though. Prolly end up in the G League if drafted or undrafted.
I am really don’t understand why people especially his handlers are surprised by his limited playing time. He is exactly the same player as Brooks. At best he was going to split time with Brooks. The arrogance of these kids and handlers is amazing. Cal is part of the problem why do you recruit 2 players with the exact same skill set?
The one and done or more importantly the promotion of it has hurt the college game. It has created unrealistic expectations/pressures on the kids. There are just a handful of kids each year that are truly ready but their are hundreds that believe they are NBA players. It has to be a complete nightmare for coaches to manage.
The one and done or more importantly the promotion of it has hurt the college game. It has created unrealistic expectations/pressures on the kids. There are just a handful of kids each year that are truly ready but their are hundreds that believe they are NBA players. It has to be a complete nightmare for coaches to manage.
He recruits multiple 5 stars at the same position because he knows his coaching is subpar.
He promises 7 , five stars guranteed PT and it always blows up in everyones face.
As the Crapiperi world turns.
It may be a bit “old fashioned” but I always thought that kids went to college to get an education. That ain’t happenin’ at uahkay. Plus calisleazy always over recruits just so these kids won’t go somewhere else. Promises made and promises broken. Someday uakay/calisleazy will run out of gas. Maybe they already have considering one title in 10+ years and that took an Anthony Davis. All of that with the top talent in HS going to uahkay. The poster above that indicated that these kids do not want to go to school for their second semester at uahkay was spot on. They were promised that wouldn’t be the case.
GO CARDS - BEAT EVERYBODY!!! God Bless America!!!
He’s on a UofL BOARD so he can say whatever he wants. I’d be very careful if I were you because you just might be on the outside looking in. And by the way, uahkay sucks and you cannot spell suck without “uk”.
GO CARDS - BEAT EVERYBODY!!! God Bless America!!!
That's a bit of a stretch. Assail? Really?
That's a dish best served up by uk fans on referees.
Yes, we can all say whatever we want. Doesn’t make it mature or advance anything of importance but I suppose that’s the way it is. Not that I suspect you care or that I care if you care, but if you look at my posts on RR The content is similar towards them. Just be grown ups. The sucks thing? Really. And the tard thing they use on RR?..,,And Yes you are right. I should have been a bit more eloquent in my criticism.
Some kids aren’t cut out for big time college ball. College recruiting rankings are based on NBA long term potential, not as much on pure basketball skill.
Look at VJ King. He was long, athletic, and had some good basketball skills. At the high school level he was dominating because he was playing smaller boys rather than grown men in college.
When a King or Whitney get to college, they have to actually fight for the first time in their lives and it’s sink or swim. They have he intangibles to go pro, but it’s on them to live up to their ranking.
@zipp makes the point a lot that it’s not all about the star rankings and he’s right. Sometimes the 4,3,2 star prospect that’s overlooked may end up being more committed to the program and have more actual skill than some 6’8 lanky kid that can jump out of the gym with no skill, but is expecting to go pro tomorrow.
Look at Sam Williamson for example. He had all of the hype in the world, but then he struggles and questions emerge. He was probably planning on going pro in May, but now that he can’t get on the floor and has hit a wall and I’m sure it changes his mindset.
Look at VJ King. He was long, athletic, and had some good basketball skills. At the high school level he was dominating because he was playing smaller boys rather than grown men in college.
When a King or Whitney get to college, they have to actually fight for the first time in their lives and it’s sink or swim. They have he intangibles to go pro, but it’s on them to live up to their ranking.
@zipp makes the point a lot that it’s not all about the star rankings and he’s right. Sometimes the 4,3,2 star prospect that’s overlooked may end up being more committed to the program and have more actual skill than some 6’8 lanky kid that can jump out of the gym with no skill, but is expecting to go pro tomorrow.
Look at Sam Williamson for example. He had all of the hype in the world, but then he struggles and questions emerge. He was probably planning on going pro in May, but now that he can’t get on the floor and has hit a wall and I’m sure it changes his mindset.
GTFO imbecile.
You dont want your precious garbage uofk team assailed then stay the eff off ALL UofL boards.
You blew cheating clowns ARE the joke of all sports.
PH please leave up at least 2 hours
GTFO imbecile.
You dont want your precious garbage uofk team assailed then stay the eff off ALL UofL boards.
You blew cheating clowns ARE the joke of all sports.
PH please leave up at least 2 hours
The thought of one of John’s 5 star recruits, not working out, transferring to another school and being successful Causes a lot of hand wringing for John’s disciples. It’ has to raise eyebrows that while having either the #1 or # 2 ranked class in recruiting the last 4 years and has not reached a final four. Especially when you hear about the success of some of his past players like Herro and others in the NBA.
Williamson is not a good example. He knew coming in we had a veteran returning group. He may have had thoughts of being a one and done, hell all kids probably think they are. Going to UK is different. The promise is there. If you’re as good as other people say you are you’re one and done. If you don’t live up to it it’s your fault not coach cow. That’s the perception.
I’m not saying Uk/UL is the same one bit.
But when you are a McDAA 5-star that’s a projected 1st round pick, the expectations are different coming into a season. He plays on a circuit with all of those other guys and it’s competitive. His family and him see millions of dollars on the table in just a few short months.
He wasn’t a top guy when he did commit, but if you think he’s different and wanted to come here and understood he may fall back in the rotation, that’s not what he thought. He was told he’s an NBA player within a year and probably thought he’d dominate based on what scouts told him.
Top recruits aren’t coming here because they’re different and want to compete and be Louisville guys. They’re coming to an elite program that wins and has put out NBA players recently. They will all jump at the first sign of a contract.
Now you are pushing a false narrative and saying that Sam didn’t do his homework and thought he was “different” than Blackshear, VJ King, Samardo. The U of L players that have made success in the NBA recently, Rozier, Dieng, Mitchell all stayed longer than a year. Even Lee went to school for 5 years.
GTFO imbecile.
You dont want your precious garbage uofk team assailed then stay the eff off ALL UofL boards.
You blew cheating clowns ARE the joke of all sports.
PH please leave up at least 2 hours
Is time up Kerry?
It doesn’t matter what school they attend, if you’re coming out of high school and are on an NBA draft board you are looking ahead at a big contract.
And it doesn’t make them a bad player, it’s makes them human. You see your name on NBA draft boards at age 17-18 and you’re thinking millions.
What is the point you’re trying to make? Basketball players want to go the NBA?
It’s different with the elite prospects is the point. Like Whitney, VJ King, Williamson, etc.
they expect to be the man and all of their peers on the all-star circuit are all in competition. When a top guy fails and falls in the draft, it’s harder on their ego. They don’t expect to fall to the bench or not be a main producer.
So let’s talk about the 3 guys you referred to. The only thing in common is they were burger boys and highly touted hs stars. They’re not failures. VJ was signed by the Knicks in the G League. He’s still playing the game he loves.. for money. Whitney may get another chance somewhere else or try the G League/overseas. As far as Williamson, yes I thought he might have been getting more minutes but he has already had some good games, especially today, so he’s far from being a disappointment by any stretch.
I'm not sure these elite players actually all expect to "be the man" - but they probably all do expect to be getting a lot of playing time to have the chance to show what they can do. They all expect to be getting "stats" and if they aren't they are going to hit the road in many instances. If their playing time is increasing as the season progresses and/or it's pretty obvious they have a clear path to PT they might stick around to showcase. If their PT is going the other direction and there is a replacement lined up for the next year, they are probably going to explore their "options" - like, when Shaq Aaron saw the writing on the wall when the Cards brought in D. Lee.
Well some are mature enough to adapt to their roles and play hard enough once they get to college.
Wayne Blackshear disappointed somewhat, but he still played his role great for 4 years. Contributed to some big time teams and never needed to be the man.
Not sure that has to do with maturity. I’m glad he stayed but maybe he didn’t feel he had any better options. Unless you’re close or related none of us really know their situations and why they make the decisions they make. Glad Wayne was able to keep playing professionally.
You still have a ton of "maturity" work to do on RR. I don't believe you can handle the extra work on OUR board.
Tell Whitney and his handlers that because they don’t agree. They are that matters here.
I have watched less games than ever before this year, but you have to wonder about Brooks situation too. 7 min in an OT game yesterday, he's trending down. With next year's crop where does he stand? Not sure if he's a draft pick now or what the future holds for that guy.
Lots of uncertainty surrounds the guys that get voted off the "You're in the Rotation" island. He's playing 6, maybe 7 guys unless he's got a roster like he did when he had the Twins.
I suppose if you just replace a non producing 5 star with another future 5 star it doesn't really matter. Then again, that's why they are always "young" right?
It's not just for them, it's a lot of programs. Wish the NBA would just let them enter out of HS come up with a sensible rule if they don't get drafted.
Lots of uncertainty surrounds the guys that get voted off the "You're in the Rotation" island. He's playing 6, maybe 7 guys unless he's got a roster like he did when he had the Twins.
I suppose if you just replace a non producing 5 star with another future 5 star it doesn't really matter. Then again, that's why they are always "young" right?
It's not just for them, it's a lot of programs. Wish the NBA would just let them enter out of HS come up with a sensible rule if they don't get drafted.