Who was the biggest UK recruit that was a bust?

[Craig the Blueheart]

I am trying to determine who we would consider a big recruiting bust. Who was the most heralded that did almost nothing?

The most recent that comes to mind would be Marvin Stone... Help me out, though...

[84Cat]

Anybody remember Richard "Master Blaster" Madison. He was supposed be all world.

[UKhoov]

I am trying to determine who we would consider a big recruiting bust. Who was the most heralded that did almost nothing?

The most recent that comes to mind would be Marvin Stone... Help me out, though...

He was my first thought.

[Cincy110]

I wouldn't say a total bust, he ended up scoring over 1,000 points in 3 years, but with the hoop-la that he came in with and the way he started his freshman season, Rodrick Rhodes went slowly downhill after Jared Prickett took his starting spot.

Also - Gold Tooth Carruth

[BigblueDrew]

How about Rob Locke. Awesome rep coming in, weak game. Rashad Carruth as runnerup and Antwain Barber as honorable mention.

[Art Vandelay]

Derrick Horde. He was the number one player in the country and never really did anything at UK.

[Craig the Blueheart]

I wouldn't say a total bust, he ended up scoring over 1,000 points in 3 years, but with the hoop-la that he came in with and the way he started his freshman season, Rodrick Rhodes went slowly downhill after Jared Prickett took his starting spot.

Also - Gold Tooth Carruth

I forgot about old Gold Tooth... good reminder.

[84Cat]

I wouldn't say a total bust, he ended up scoring over 1,000 points in 3 years, but with the hoop-la that he came in with and the way he started his freshman season, Rodrick Rhodes went slowly downhill after Jared Prickett took his starting spot.

Also - Gold Tooth Carruth

No question, Gold tooth has got to be at the top of the list.

[Madiblue]

Derrick Hord, came in from Bristol TN, brought in his high school coach, Chambers?? and was a Super Five and completely laid an egg at UK! You could throw in Brett Bearup from that era, also Rhodes later, and in my opinion each coach has had some players that you remember and say didn't fit the Coaches style, Blackmon, Carruth to name a few.

[SouthBeachWildcat]

I thought Barbour was going to be an absolute stud when he came in. He left as a decent contributor.

[BigblueDrew]

Derrick Horde. He was the number one player in the country and never really did anything at UK.

I saw Horde torch LSU on a Tuesday for about 25 then saw him score 4 points on about 2 for 20 shooting in a loss to Vandy at Memorial. He might be the only player that I ever saw Joe B let shoot even when he couldn't hit crap. Usually Joe B pulled you if you missed more than about 2 shots but not Horde, he would throw up brick after brick.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Josh Carrier would have been one of the most recent in-state busts... He came in and did almost nothing.

[jpay]

Rod Rhodes. Mr. Meltdown. Waved by The Hairpeice so he could sign Ron Mercer.....

[Dep613]

Desmond Allison was a disappointment. Of course that was because of personal problems instead of deficiencies in skill.

[CATHEAD]

I liked Barbour, but he never lived up to the expectations. But my all-time bust would be Mike Scott. I can remember the cover of a magazine before he got here with his pic and the title "Great Scott?". Question mark, indeed.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Marvin Stone....what a waste....thought he would be a super star at Loserville.....did not happen

[TransientAlum]

Never really complained about the others but Rhodes really bothered me. All that ego got in the way of getting the job done.

[Clam]

For me personally, Carruth wins the award. However, do you all remember:

Chris Harrison, the pride of Tolesboro, who made about four baskets at UK (fortunately all of them during the LSU comeback).

Jason Parker, who is probably transferring to an NAIA school for the fall semester.

Todd Zeigler, early 80s, total bust.

[Caveman Catfan]

Anybody remember Richard "Master Blaster" Madison. He was supposed be all world.

Richard told me one time that he should have played football, that he could have played in the NFL. The guy did not lack for confidence, IN ANY WAY. He was a ladies man who had his mind on things other than basketball, IMO.

[Will Lavender]

Jason Parker, who is probably transferring to an NAIA school for the fall semester.

Parker?

Parker was a beast. Started every game as a freshman and averaged about 9 and 6. One of the strongest, most physical post players that Tubby had.

He was only a bust off the court.

[Caveman Catfan]

Marvin Stone....what a waste....thought he would be a super star at Loserville.....did not happen


I would say Stone would have to be listed. Derrick Hord did not live up to the hype, which was immense.

[MSU Cat]

Rod Rhodes. Mr. Meltdown. Waved by The Hairpeice so he could sign Ron Mercer.....

First guy that came to mind for me as well. Remember him crying after he melted down in the Arkansas comeback in the '95 SEC Championship game? I especially liked his encore against North Carolina the same year in the Elite Eight.

[BOURBON TOWN CAT FAN]

I'm not sure if bust would be the right word for this player, unless you are referring to the NBA draft and Michael Jordan. I would say big Sam was a "bust" only because of his injuries, he could have been so MUCH more !!

[lighthouse]

Jason Parker, IMO.

[Clam]

Parker?

Parker was a beast. Started every game as a freshman and averaged about 9 and 6. One of the strongest, most physical post players that Tubby had.

He was only a bust off the court.


My rationale for Parker is that he only played one year, transferred to USC, where he never played a game, and then slipped into oblivion. Big expectations, combined with minimal results (especially considering his talent), equals a recruiting bust. Do we really want any more recruits that work out as "well" as Jason Parker? No, because he was a bust.

[largebluej]

Derrick Horde. He was the number one player in the country and never really did anything at UK.

can't agree with that assessment. . . .Hord had a very good junior season, was 1st team All-SEC and maybe even SEC POY. . . .his first two years weren't bad, but his senior year was a big disappointment, which seemed to occur a lot for our guys in that era. . . . .I think his standing suffers because he was the #1 rated recruit in what may have been the greatest recruiting class ever up to that time (Bowie, Sampson, Isiah, Worthy, Kellogg) and didn't live up to that lofty billing. . . . .not nearly bad enough to rank among the biggest busts in our history, as I would define bust. . . .Carruth and Stone much more worthy of that distinction, Rhodes just a little behind them. . ... .I'm not sure Madison was a highly-touted basketball recruit, but he was a heavily publicized, allegedly marvelous athlete (who didn't get sick of hearing stories about his 90+ MPH fastball?) who turned out to have the work ethic of Shagari Alleyne. . . . whoever mentioned Lock was way off as well, he was by no means a highly-regarded recruit. . . . .others to be considered would have to include Bret Bearup and Todd May. . . .

[cityoflights]

Although I'm not sure where he ranks, I would throw Jules "don't call me Souleman" Camara into the discussion. Maybe it was the fans fault for over-hype but I seem to remember hearing every summer that Jules "was on the verge of All-american".

[Woodgate]

I thought Barbour was going to be an absolute stud when he came in. He left as a decent contributor.

bingo

[sethman0102]

Parker?

Parker was a beast. Started every game as a freshman and averaged about 9 and 6. One of the strongest, most physical post players that Tubby had.

He was only a bust off the court.

I agree, Will. I loved Parker's game. Even though he could be considered short for his position, I seem to remember him dunking on a lot of bigger players. The knee did him in (didn't he re-injure it?), and the off-the-court decisions cemented the deal.

[cumberlandredskin]

I would say Stone would have to be listed. Derrick Hord did not live up to the hype, which was immense.

I think Stone was more than Hord. Hord's sophmore and junior season were pretty good. His senior season wasn't very good and that is what people remember. Stone was never any good.

[GrandePdre]

Rekalin Sims, Michael Bradley, Shegari Alleyne, Rashad Carruth, Josh carrier, Brandon Stockton.

[UKATFAN]

Came in as a McDonald's All American in 1985. Left after his soph. season to Fla. St. Don't recall a player of that caliber who acted like he had no clue what to do with the basketball other than getting called for traveling. Could have been he didn't understand what Joe B. wanted him to do. I believe he went to Fla. St. and had a pretty good Jr. and Sr. years.

[Jeff Craddock]

No list would be complete without mentioning Clarence Tillman, a highly rated HS AA that did nothing at UK. If I'm not mistaken, he was part of the Bowie/Hord/Minnifield class. He quickly tranferred to Rutgers, playing there for three years and having a decent career.

[crazzedcats22]

Marvin Stone and Carruth, no doubt about it, they sucked!

[POEKLM]

I can't agree about Hord, Camara, Blevins or any of the guys who came in and played. Not everyone is going to be a super star. There are role players to make a super team. If they strapped on the blue and played their hearts out I can't call anyone a bust. I just loved watching them play too much.
Not if they couldn't tough it out and didn't live up to their expectations I would call that a bust.
The only one that comes to my mind is the kid who scored thousands of points in high school (Kentucky) and came to UK and barely played and he left. Is it Todd Day or May that I am thinking of? I am getting old you know:icon_cry:

[Grub]

Bill "Poodles" Willoughby

You old school guys will know what I'm talking about.

[cumberlandredskin]

Came in as a McDonald's All American in 1985. Left after his soph. season to Fla. St. Don't recall a player of that caliber who acted like he had no clue what to do with the basketball other than getting called for traveling. Could have been he didn't understand what Joe B. wanted him to do. I believe he went to Fla. St. and had a pretty good Jr. and Sr. years.

Irving Thomas,IIRC.

[cumberlandredskin]

Bill "Poodles" Willoughby

You old school guys will know what I'm talking about.

I remember him. One of the first to go straight to the NBA out of high school. He was a flop in the pros and faded into oblivion.

[BigblueDrew]

Bill "Poodles" Willoughby

You old school guys will know what I'm talking about.

My memory must be going but did Willoughby ever actually make to the court for a UK game. Didn't he get busted or something before the season started.

[84Cat]

Came in as a McDonald's All American in 1985. Left after his soph. season to Fla. St. Don't recall a player of that caliber who acted like he had no clue what to do with the basketball other than getting called for traveling. Could have been he didn't understand what Joe B. wanted him to do. I believe he went to Fla. St. and had a pretty good Jr. and Sr. years.

You're right. I forgot about him. He's right up there on my list next to golden tooth.

[leroybyrd]

I'd have to say Barbour, Bett Bearup and Todd Ziegler, and of course, I was somewhat of a bust too, transferring in from UNLV and all.

[BamaCat86]

. . . . .others to be considered would have to include Bret Bearup and Todd May. . . .

I was at UK during Bearup's career and he showed a lot of promise early in his time at UK. Kenny Walker's emergence had a lot to do with Bret's playing time. Bret played out of position at center his senior year, but did a decent job. Todd May's career was probably much of the same. Walker took most of the backup minutes at his position and May transferred for whatever reason. He did have a solid career at Pikeville.

They did not live up to expectations, but I don't think you can call either of them a bust.

[UKSam]

Rhodes had glimpses of greatness. However when he missed the free throws during the SEC Championship against Arkansas was it for him.

It was in that instance you could see it in his body language that he was done as a player.

BTW That game was the best UK game I ever saw in person. Two great comebacks (second half down 16, OT down 9) in one game. I lost my voice during the game and could not talk till the following Wed.

[leroybyrd]

Richard told me one time that he should have played football, that he could have played in the NFL. The guy did not lack for confidence, IN ANY WAY. He was a ladies man who had his mind on things other than basketball, IMO.


Madison was a stud baseball player too, a tremendous athlete, but never put all together for the Cats.

[84Cat]

I'd have to say Barbour, Bett Bearup and Todd Ziegler, and of course, I was somewhat of a bust too, transferring in from UNLV and all.

Leroy, I always enjoyed watching you play! What separates you from the others is effort. You tried, I didn't.... that makes me the bust, not you. Thanks for playing for the Cats!

[POEKLM]

I certainly cannot agree about Bowie. His jersey hangs in Rupp. He was all-american. He had a long pro career and the Lakers were wanting him to play longer. I wish we could get a couple more "busts" like Sam.

[Tom Blevins]

Carruth hands down. He was worse than useless. His bad attitude all but wrecked what should have been Tubby's best team.

[84Cat]

I certainly cannot agree about Bowie. His jersey hangs in Rupp. He was all-american. He had a long pro career and the Lakers were wanting him to play longer. I wish we could get a couple more "busts" like Sam.

I agree completely! Even with his injuries, Sam was awesome. Good enough at UK to be a 1 (or 2, I can't remember) in the nba draft. How my UK players can you say that about?

[catman4]

My choice would be James Blackmon.