poodoo
07-09-2008, 04:20 PM
Having just finished reading Eric Crawford's column in today's CJ, I thought some of you might like to hear what he wrote in regard to recruitment of sophomores or younger, a topic discussed earlier here. Crawford noted that The NABC had made the request that coaches "lay off" those young prospects, but that Coach Billy Donovan took a commitment from a ninth-grader (Doc Rivers' son, as we know) last week. Crawford then wrote:
"And who came forward to protest? Well, nobody. I guess that's reserved for when the University of Kentucky takes young kids."
:thumbup::thumbup: to Crawford on that one. I like it and thought you might, as well. :big_grin:
Further, Crawford says later in the piece, "I don't see the harm, as long as he and his family realize the pitfalls and understand that the school is under no obligation to them." I think the same. In fact, in Kentucky's case, Coach Gillispie has stated that he will indeed honor any commitment. It seems to me that the only risk is to Coach Gillispie and Kentucky basketball (and that would be my only concern, by the way), with only potential gain for the youngsters themselves. In fact, Mitch Barnhart answered a question on a radio show, saying that as a parent, he would have been thrilled to have such an early scholarship offer for one of his own children. :) Again, where is the harm? From what evil are the kids being protected by the coaches' organization's request? :)
Crawford even "nominates" recruitment of the younger players as "the most overblown issue of the first half of 2008." While he happens to think the practice is rather ridiculous, his main point is that the practice is certainly "NOT HARMFUL" to the youngsters. Again, Crawford's evaluation surely seems logical to me. GO CATS!!!
"And who came forward to protest? Well, nobody. I guess that's reserved for when the University of Kentucky takes young kids."
:thumbup::thumbup: to Crawford on that one. I like it and thought you might, as well. :big_grin:
Further, Crawford says later in the piece, "I don't see the harm, as long as he and his family realize the pitfalls and understand that the school is under no obligation to them." I think the same. In fact, in Kentucky's case, Coach Gillispie has stated that he will indeed honor any commitment. It seems to me that the only risk is to Coach Gillispie and Kentucky basketball (and that would be my only concern, by the way), with only potential gain for the youngsters themselves. In fact, Mitch Barnhart answered a question on a radio show, saying that as a parent, he would have been thrilled to have such an early scholarship offer for one of his own children. :) Again, where is the harm? From what evil are the kids being protected by the coaches' organization's request? :)
Crawford even "nominates" recruitment of the younger players as "the most overblown issue of the first half of 2008." While he happens to think the practice is rather ridiculous, his main point is that the practice is certainly "NOT HARMFUL" to the youngsters. Again, Crawford's evaluation surely seems logical to me. GO CATS!!!
