Done Deal..Legion gone

[KapitalCat]

Kind of anti climatic but this puts a finish on the deal...Sounds to me that Mom is in control.

http://www.ukathletics.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=37&url_article_id=21164&change_well_id=2

[matt colvin]

I was about to post this too.

I hate to see it, but hopefully we'll move on. Hopefully he will be happy where he goes, and we can move on as well.


Go Cats :widcat:

[ukbob]

So be it. I just hope she...er he...can find a place to make her...er...him happy. In fact, I hardly care.

I am more concerned about the rest of the team situation right now.

[flacat22]

“We met with Alex and his mother Friday, and she informed us of her desire to seek a release for her son. Shortly after that meeting, Alex told me that he still wanted to be a part of our program. He played in the game against North Carolina Saturday and seemed happy when I spoke with him Sunday.”

wow, sounds to me like this young man needs to get out from under Mommy's skirt and she needs to stop meddling. If in fact she pressured Alex into transferring when he wanted to stay thats sad and fueled by nothing but greed and her eyes being filled with the prospect of NBA dollars in the near future. While alot of blame is being placed on the coach and the kid I think if we're going to assign blame it needs to be placed squarely on mommy for a) meddling and b) not only letting Alex take the easy way out instead of working hard but endorsing his "quitting" when the going got tough...she shouldve told him to suck it up and remind him that at UK he is a little fish in a big pond and to work harder, my Dad wouldve.:thumbdn:

[baldcat]

This is eerily reminiscent of the shaky advice that Morris received about turning pro after his freshman year from his family.

I got some news for Momz if the above report is true.

This tude she's got going on my make her son poison to other big time programs and risk his future.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Was it Legion or Stewart's mom that acted as if she was telepathic prior to the beginning of the season?

[matt colvin]

Was it Legion or Stewart's mom that acted as if she was telepathic prior to the beginning of the season?

Legion

I don't think we've heard from Stewart's mom.

[Craig the Blueheart]

Legion

I don't think we've heard from Stewart's mom.

If she was the real deal, you would have figured she would have seen this! Sheesh! :icon_mrgreen:

[sethman0102]

First of all, I was excited about Legion's UK career and hate to see it end so quickly. But let's be honest, we weren't going to be hanging another banner in Rupp this season, regardless of any prophecy. We're obviously gonna takes our lumps this year. This frees up another scholarship for next year that will hopefully be used to bring in some size and talent. The last thing this team needs is more drama and a parent over-stepping the coaches authority. Too bad they're not all like Mr. Meeks.

[KY Native in IN]

now can everyone get off Coach's hiney about this?....gee whiz!

[KY Native in IN]

If she was the real deal, you would have figured she would have seen this! Sheesh! :icon_mrgreen:

well, she still hasn't been proven wrong, we could still get to the FF...we'll just be minus her youngin'....so time will tell if she's wrong....but realistically she's the un-doing of her own prophetic utterance if she really thought alex would lead us there....

[Craig the Blueheart]

well, she still hasn't been proven wrong, we could still get to the FF...we'll just be minus her youngin'....so time will tell if she's wrong....but realistically she's the un-doing of her own prophetic utterance if she really thought alex would lead us there....

That whole thing made me cringe. Part of me is feels lucky that we won't have to deal with that if/when we do make it to the Final Four in the next few years. Unfortunatley, the media would have been all over that story.

[fakegimel]

Remember, Annette Legion predicted we would go to the Final Four (http://www.kentucky.com/158/story/189453.html), "providing they [the team] play together". My dad said that the article I linked to above made him think of Jay Leno's Fruitcake Lady (http://www.firebilly.com/the-shaw-smith-brotherhood-holy-shoes-1-900-4-samson/), which made me laugh.

Its interesting how Billy's official announcement is worded to sound like Alex was happy and Annette made the decision to leave.

I honestly wonder if Gillispie's salty language/rough treatment of the players, in addition to the rumors of Billy's unholy night life, was enough to cause a big enough riff between coach, player and mother. Regardless, it was reported that Annette was vocally disapproving of the coaching staff's work during the UNC game. I'm sure that the students chanting Alex's name helped fuel the fire.

That's all speculation, mind you; I have no Jeff Goodman-esk sources to cite.

Regardless of what you think of Alex and Annette's decision, I hope everybody is civil enough to respect their decision, and their faith. If they don't want to be part of the UK Program, then I would rather them leave now and not suffer -- or cause anybody else to suffer with discontent -- for the rest of the season.

[Rockober]

I really hate to see Legion go but wish him the best. I don't agree with Legion's mom but lets respect her wishes and wait til we gain more facts before we crucify her.

I want players to want to be here and give there all for Kentucky. If their heart is not with this team than its better that they go now.

[Captain Morgan]

Maybe momma couldn't stand the prospect of her son playing in the shadow of one Mr. Patterson.

[matt57]

now can everyone get off Coach's hiney about this?....gee whiz!

that's just it. you notice none of the people bashing coach g have responded to this thread. i wonder why that is???? could it be that after some more of the story comes out coach doesn't look nearly as bad as he did when jeff goodman, who always takes a chance to bash UK, reported earlier. like i said in several other posts. alex legion mentioned on several occasions how he wanted to be in the NBA in 2 years. well, quitting after six games won't get you there. if he or his mother need any sources or credentials all they need to do is look at acie law and a few other former players. heck, even mark turgeon praised gillispie for the PROGRAM he left behind at texas a&m. if the man can succeed there he will be wonderful here. it's just that some of our fans are exactly what dickie v was speaking about.

[flacat22]

I have uncovered the source of Mama Legion's uncanny mystical prophecies....http://members.arstechnica.com/x/powermacman/Magic%208%20Ball.gif

When I consulted the all knowing oracle and asked if UK would be ok without Legion this was the response from beyond...http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/images/3.gif

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/cgi-bin/eightball.cgi

[JayB]

I really hate to see Legion go but wish him the best. I don't agree with Legion's mom but lets respect her wishes and wait til we gain more facts before we crucify her.

I want players to want to be here and give there all for Kentucky. If their heart is not with this team than its better that they go now.


Glad I saw this, t really made me think before I post... I will give it time. I was about to go wild with a baad post lol. This really you have no idea pisses me off. I like following recruits around vids/articles etc and had my eye on AL then he went to UM and I was mad then he came here and I was freaking out with joy, now he leaves... NOOOOOOO!!!!! I will say this because I said it when I saw her _ His mother is some kind of crazy.....that not even the craziest of the crazy know of or comprehend.

[BigBlueManiac]

I know this is off topic, but do they teach capitalization and punctuation in school these days?

Call me old fashioned, but......

[JayB]

I dunno if you are talking about me.:icon_lol: But I'm pretty sure we went over that on this board a few months ago, and it got ugly pretty quick. We are in the age where some including me can talk with all IM abbreviations. LOL

And I'm sure everyone learns capitalization and punctuation but hopes on a on line message board that people won't give them crap about it :)

[NashvilleUK]

My 2 cents.....

Mom already has an agent lined up for her pumpkin so when he finishes his one year of mandatory college ball, he can get drafted into the NBA. Agent told Ma Legion that if he doesn't play, he won't get paid the big bucks on draft day. Ma Legion realizes that no play equals no pay, and calls son and tells him to get on the floor or get out of Lexington. Ma pulls the ambilical cord, and yanks the boy from a good thing and a good mentor and quite possibly could throw him to the wolves.

Wondering if Ma Legion did this to him when he played in middle school, or high school.....pulled him away to another program where he would shine...

[wildcat74]

So be it. I just hope she...er he...can find a place to make her...er...him happy. In fact, I hardly care.

I am more concerned about the rest of the team situation right now.

:thumbup::thumbup: So much for her prophesy.

[teamchemistry09]

Any idea where he is going?

[flacat22]

he'll have a year to sit and think about it. If Mama keeps it up Im guessing the NBDL

[wildcat74]

My 2 cents.....

Mom already has an agent lined up for her pumpkin so when he finishes his one year of mandatory college ball, he can get drafted into the NBA. Agent told Ma Legion that if he doesn't play, he won't get paid the big bucks on draft day. Ma Legion realizes that no play equals no pay, and calls son and tells him to get on the floor or get out of Lexington. Ma pulls the ambilical cord, and yanks the boy from a good thing and a good mentor and quite possibly could throw him to the wolves.

Wondering if Ma Legion did this to him when he played in middle school, or high school.....pulled him away to another program where he would shine...

Thats usually how it works. Morris, Michael Bradley, Jason Parker etc.., etc... Moms and dads lack a certain trust these days, its all about the quickest way to the cash. This is the kind of quick decision that thrusts a player into obscurity.

[ukcat1]

Maybe UK should do what they did when Crawford tried to transfer in the middle of his freshman year. Hold him to his contract and see where the chips fall!

[BigblueDrew]

Can anyone remember a Freshman transfer (excluding the exodus due to probation) that ever amounted to anything on the court after leaving, I can't, but maybe I missed someone. I say Vaya Con Dios Mr. Legion.My personal belief is that any kid that packs it in that quick is not a champion any way, so we REALLY don't need him at the University of Kentucky no matter how talented he may be.

[Catligula]

I just feel sorry for Alex. It sounds like he really did want to stay. Instead, he goes back to Michigan with that crazy lady. I hope he does well in spite of this whole ordeal.

[yodude]

I can't imagine Legion not being able to take the heat. It looks like he's physically in great shape.. but maybe I guess there's always the mental part. Billy sure does have a different style of coaching. He seems pretty level headed every time I've been around him. No one got this worked up about Kerry Benson and he wasn't pretty good for a walk on! ;)

[colonelcatfan]

Just a sidebar about mama, I read a quote from her a few months ago stating that until Alex backed out on Michigan, she didn't realize that Kentucky even had a basketball team. Kinda illustrates her mentality don't you think? Real basketball expert, that lady, real expert.

[RP_McMurphy]

Sad all around for both Kentucky and Legion as he was given a great chance at Kentucky. It is also sad for the Legion family as it appears that Alex is not being given a chance to grow as his own individual person. Best of luck to him in the future and Kentucky will move on.

[RaleighCat]

Can anyone remember a Freshman transfer (excluding the exodus due to probation) that ever amounted to anything on the court after leaving....

Derek Anderson, Ohio State. (But that was in reverse to what you're talking about)

Don't suggest that whenever somebody leaves UK they never go on to success elsewhere. Michael Bradley has some NBA paystubs he can bet you on that one.

I don't condone Legion's departure unless it's really best for everyone. And we won't know that for years to come. I'd rather him leave than be a devisive force in the locker room. Or for his mother to become one.

[sardiscat]

"Maybe UK should do what they did when Crawford tried to transfer in the middle of his freshman year."

That's exactly what UK should do. If he doesn't finish the year, UK doesn't give him a release, and it's two years before he plays for an NCAA team again. If he sticks out the year, he'll realize he's become more of a man and want to stay. As Bear Bryant said (or at least as an actor playing Bear Bryant in a movie said), "the hardest it will ever be for you to quit is the first time."

[sardiscat]

Derek Anderson and Michael Bradley each transferred after his sophomore year.

[RaleighCat]

Derek Anderson and Michael Bradley each transferred after his sophomore year.
OK, then, Mark Pope!

My point is that transfers happen, and they're not all trainwrecks. The Bradley comment was that some kids do leave UK and succeed elsewhere. Not every kid who leaves is a troubled soul or failure elsewhere (Desmond Allison, Jason Parker, etc.).

[matt colvin]

I think he ought to have to finish the academic year.

Unless they give Coury his scholly for the rest of the year.

[UKGrad84]

"Maybe UK should do what they did when Crawford tried to transfer in the middle of his freshman year."

That's exactly what UK should do. If he doesn't finish the year, UK doesn't give him a release, and it's two years before he plays for an NCAA team again. If he sticks out the year, he'll realize he's become more of a man and want to stay. As Bear Bryant said (or at least as an actor playing Bear Bryant in a movie said), "the hardest it will ever be for you to quit is the first time."

His national letter of intent was signed with Michigan, so he can leave when he wants and will be eligible to play after the semester in December 2008.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Any idea where he is going?
I would guess Michigan..that is where he signed first

[sardiscat]

"OK, then, Mark Pope!

Pope transferred after his sophomore year. Kyle Macy and Travis Ford are the examples you're looking for. Or Gary Bradds and Larry Bird, who left UK and IU, respectively, after only about a month on campus and became two-time All-Americans at OSU and ISU.

[RaleighCat]

"OK, then, Mark Pope!

Pope transferred after his sophomore year. Kyle Macy and Travis Ford are the examples you're looking for. Or Gary Bradds and Larry Bird, who left UK and IU, respectively, after only about a month on campus and became two-time All-Americans at OSU and ISU.

I checked Jon Scotts site and saw three seasons associated with Mark Pope, but didn't notice that his first season had zero appearances. That would mean two years playing at UK, thus a Sophomore transfer.

You're good, Sardiscat, you're good.