Surprising responses across the 'Net

[billoliver40]

I have to admit I'm kind of surprised. Just reading on the boards, the
Kentucky fan base seems very largely in favor of having an 8th grade student commit.
Part of my surprise is because of the sentiment most posters displayed last year when Southern Cal did much the same thing.

Perhaps I'm too old-fashioned when it comes to this recruiting thing. I
don't see where any youngster should be recruited before he can get
a driver's license.

I've seen every statement ranging from: '...it's just a non-binding verbal
statement that the youngster cannot be held accountable ( which kinda makes me ask why do it anyway) to the boy's dad is locking him up for
his college education early.

I don't know. On this, I'll just admit I'm against the idea, and if it makes
me behind the times and just plain country dumb, there I go.:shrug1:

[jkeller]

First of all I just want to say if you know where you want to go to college when you're in 8th grade, more power to you. It seems people want to discount it because of the old adage, "you're young, you'll change your mind" that always gets played when a young person determines a certain course in their life early on. What if he committed because he actually knows that four and a half years from now he wants to be playing basketball for the University of Kentucky? We were in a panic for a while because we were missing on this recruit or that recruit, and then one falls into our lap and he just happens to be in 8th grade.

Certainly there are reasons that people could doubt his maturity in being able to make a decision such as this one. And it may be that he rushed a little bit too fast into it. But I've heard a good deal more people selfishly worrying that he'll not develop anymore and be a bust than actually wondering if he was ready to make a decision on what college to attend. (This is just the people I've talked to, maybe not a general consensus on what all fans feel.)

[BigblueDrew]

I remember a kid in Martin Tennessee in the late 90's, an 8th grader, that was the best running back at his age I ever saw. Fabulous player, immense talent. He began recieving letters from EVERYBODY in the 9th grade.Went to Michigan and Notre Dames camps and led the state in scoring as a sophmore. Quit school in the 12th grade and was sacking groceries in the local market a year later.My point is 4 years of high school is a LIFETIME. This kid may be our next All American, or he might never set foot on our campus. I think coach G is taking a calculated risk but it's hard for me to get very excited about this news right now. I don't really see any harm in his commitment but I will not get excited about it for at least a couple of years.

[westtncat]

Drew Im in agreement with you on that one. I dont have a problem with it but Im not excited either. Its just too far away.

[SamKat]

Well, I was amazed a few years back that any college in America could out-recruit the Kentucky basketball coach. I witnessed as Duke and Kry-etc. began getting the top players as they were juniors in high school. Since that time many caught on and began noticing younger players and signing them early on.

So, in the end, the younger recruits may not stay with their early commitment. So what? With Kentucky, they were recognized and sought out by the best university in the country and soaked in that glory for a time while playing high school basketball.

[Gunsmoke]

Coach is getting the name Kentucky back into the spotlight as a major player again with top recruits. What better place to get it and keep it there than with the top players in the next generation? Heck, get in with the elementary school class, I don't care. Pan in pan out..doesn't matter because the name Kentucky has been cast into the limelight again for years to come. Decisions come decisions go but the glow of the spotlight keeps resonating. Coach is getting in with the top players in every class not just the 8th grade. The 8th grade sounds funny but Kentucky is going to be in the minds of the players across the country now for years to come. To top it off this is on the west coast and always a good place to have your name being tossed around with the likes of ucla since they are a major player on the scene again.

[JDHoss]

I really don't have a problem with it, but got a little bit of a chuckle out of it. It doesn't excite me either. Maybe if/when the kid is a junior and still highly rated it will be different. The only downside I see is that if he doesn't develop as much as we'd like to see and still wants to come to UK, are we going to pull the offer and open ourselves up to ridicule?

[Terry L. Wildcat]

I knew I wanted to go to UK when I was in grade school ;)

[westtncat]

Agree with it or not Gunsmoke makes an excellent point. Our name is back in circulation. It harms no one to talk to young kids. Its not like coach G is some sort of drug lord. The kids get and education out of it. This also gives rising stars time to see who is going where and maybe they decide to plan ahead and go to ky with this kid.

[fanaticfan]

Agree with it or not Gunsmoke makes an excellent point. Our name is back in circulation. It harms no one to talk to young kids. Its not like coach G is some sort of drug lord. The kids get and education out of it. This also gives rising stars time to see who is going where and maybe they decide to plan ahead and go to ky with this kid.

It was my understanding that this Avery's dad recruited Kentucky, not the other way around. Now, I agree, I am not all excited about it as I would be if it were an 08 or 09 or even 2010 guy, but hey, if coach thinks he's worthy, who am I to question his ability to spot talent?

[The Goose Was Loose 78]

I knew I wanted to go to UK when I was in grade school ;)

as did I......as did I.....