G.J. Vilarino....

[wildcat_lover]

Some people seem to think that Villarino might back out of his scholly at UK due to skepticism about him from UK fans(us not thinking hes good enough) but would it be a good or a bad thing if he did back out?

It would open up another coveted scholly for 09, and give us a chance to lock up another 4 or 5 star player! (we already have 5 star Hood and most analysts seem to have 5 star Orton coming to UK) Ive heard a bunch of great 4 and 5 star names that have UK on their list, so i dont think Villarino backing out would be bad, i think it would help.

[Will Lavender]

Hard for me to say because I've never seen Vilarino play. I would hate to lose a player who wants to play for UK, and was so eager to play that he verbally commit at a very young age. You always want kids on your team who want to be here.

But I've seen a ton of negative stuff on GJ. The comments don't necessarily knock his game, but they certainly do question whether he's good enough to play at UK.

If it were just one or two comments, I wouldn't worry. But a lot of people, including paid scouts, have questioned whether Vilarino is UK-good. Some UK fans will say that it doesn't matter or that these people have a bias or whatever, and that's fine; that's their opinion.

But frankly, it worries me more than a little.

I always hate when people blast the coaches' decisions on these players, but the thing here is that Gillispie might have been assuming that GJ was going to improve/grow/etc., and he just hasn't. That's an honest mistake that could happen to anyone. Not sure if that's what's going on with Vilarino, but there's really a chorus of doubt on this kid out there.

[Ky KiD]

Let em go if he wants out, if he cant handle the talk then how is he gonna handle the full court press? :icon_rolleyes: I know for me that open scholly would go to Clarence trent or John wall if either were interested :icon_biggrin:

[Will Lavender]

Let em go if he wants out, if he cant handle the talk then how is he gonna handle the full court press? :icon_rolleyes: I know for me that open scholly would go to Clarence trent or John wall if either were interested :icon_biggrin:

FWIW, saw someone on another board giving a first-hand account of Trent at a recent camp and it wasn't pretty. From all accounts the kid is extremely raw.

[average joe]

Why is everyone so high on clarence trent. Granted he is good, but with the limited scholly's available for 09 we can do much better. Trent is raw talent who can dunk. If he developes a shot to go with that then he will be much better. Don't knock GJ. He is not bad. He will be just fine when he gets here. Granted no Rose or Wall, but he will be just fine in coach's system.

[bane]

People seem to forget that Vilarino doesn't necessarily need to come in and be a starter. He could be more effective as a solid backup PG, giving the starter (whoever that may be) a rest while providing quality minutes. I can understand the questions of Vilarino being our only option, bus as of now, he will be our second/third option at PG.

[boomdaddy]

Hard for me to say because I've never seen Vilarino play. I would hate to lose a player who wants to play for UK, and was so eager to play that he verbally commit at a very young age. You always want kids on your team who want to be here.

But I've seen a ton of negative stuff on GJ. The comments don't necessarily knock his game, but they certainly do question whether he's good enough to play at UK.

If it were just one or two comments, I wouldn't worry. But a lot of people, including paid scouts, have questioned whether Vilarino is UK-good. Some UK fans will say that it doesn't matter or that these people have a bias or whatever, and that's fine; that's their opinion.

But frankly, it worries me more than a little.

I always hate when people blast the coaches' decisions on these players, but the thing here is that Gillispie might have been assuming that GJ was going to improve/grow/etc., and he just hasn't. That's an honest mistake that could happen to anyone. Not sure if that's what's going on with Vilarino, but there's really a chorus of doubt on this kid out there.



I remember when Pitino got blasted by a big time prep scout while recruiting for UK. I think the recruit might have been Carlos Toomer and the scout said that he wasn't talented enough to play for the Cats. Pitino stated something to the affect of : "Who does that guy think he is? Has he ever coached a college team?" The the incoming recruit failed and transferred to a smaller school. I could have the player wrong, but I remember Rick being questioned on his recruiting choices.

[leroybyrd]

If I consider everything I have read, seen and heard about Villarino, I think he will be a great fit at UK and something we haven't had since maybe Cliff Hawkins. That is, a PG or a guard in general, who is not looking for his own offense. He will be a CHEMISTRY type player, again something this team will need if there are plenty of Pattersons, Ortons, Hoods, Fergusons, etc. in our future, which I think is likely.

The kid is athletic (40" vertical) and probably has a very good PG mentality. As for the recruitment of Wall, etc., over him, 1) You have to recruit those kind of kids, no matter what your roster looks like and 2) BCG has missed on a lot of kids and will continue to do so with as many offers as we put out there, so having a commitment from a solid kid like GJ ensures that you don't completely miss on an important position in a recruiting class like Tubby did a few times.

[sardiscat]

"so having a commitment from a solid kid like GJ ensures that you don't completely miss on an important position in a recruiting class like Tubby did a few times."

Particularly because Wall plans on being one and done even if UK should sign him, which isn't the most likely thing in the world. Memphis thinks they have him.

[dwarfdorin]

If I consider everything I have read, seen and heard about Villarino, I think he will be a great fit at UK and something we haven't had since maybe Cliff Hawkins. That is, a PG or a guard in general, who is not looking for his own offense. He will be a CHEMISTRY type player, again something this team will need if there are plenty of Pattersons, Ortons, Hoods, Fergusons, etc. in our future, which I think is likely.

The kid is athletic (40" vertical) and probably has a very good PG mentality. As for the recruitment of Wall, etc., over him, 1) You have to recruit those kind of kids, no matter what your roster looks like and 2) BCG has missed on a lot of kids and will continue to do so with as many offers as we put out there, so having a commitment from a solid kid like GJ ensures that you don't completely miss on an important position in a recruiting class like Tubby did a few times.

I agree we will need guys that will be here for 4 years to go with those that are going to come and go after staying only 1 or 2 years and then on to the NBA.

:widcat::widcat: Go CATS!!!

[grillman]

If there is one position on the team that i would rather have as a four year player it woulld be the point guard position , year in and year out we NEED leadership in the pg position more than anywhere else . Even with the recruitment of 4 and 5 star players , we are not going to get the leadership and maturity at pg every year from one and done players .Just my opinion !

[Adolph Rollingover]

If there is one position on the team that i would rather have as a four year player it woulld be the point guard position , year in and year out we NEED leadership in the pg position more than anywhere else . Even with the recruitment of 4 and 5 star players , we are not going to get the leadership and maturity at pg every year from one and done players .Just my opinion !

I agree, would be great to put Anthony Epps at the point every year.

[SevenTimeChamps]

Grillman could not have put it any better.

All UK needs is a solid PG for the future, one that is a leader and will stay for multiple seasons.

[Bombastic Blue]

If I consider everything I have read, seen and heard about Villarino, I think he will be a great fit at UK and something we haven't had since maybe Cliff Hawkins. That is, a PG or a guard in general, who is not looking for his own offense. He will be a CHEMISTRY type player, again something this team will need if there are plenty of Pattersons, Ortons, Hoods, Fergusons, etc. in our future, which I think is likely.

The kid is athletic (40" vertical) and probably has a very good PG mentality. As for the recruitment of Wall, etc., over him, 1) You have to recruit those kind of kids, no matter what your roster looks like and 2) BCG has missed on a lot of kids and will continue to do so with as many offers as we put out there, so having a commitment from a solid kid like GJ ensures that you don't completely miss on an important position in a recruiting class like Tubby did a few times.


I like your thinking. Also, I think it's important to remember, this wasn't a knee jerk reaction on BCGs' part. He had his eye on this kid a long time before he came to UK.

[Gunsmoke]

When a young kid is offered a scholarship by our coach I personally prefer to use encouragement rather than listening to every talking head that comes along who can't see past the end of their nose because it is stuck so high in the air. You think alot of these so-called guru's don't have egos when they have major programs soliciting their information? GJ talks like he believes he is much better than what the talking heads say he is and he was quoted as saying he is working harder than ever. Coach G recruited him when he was in Texas and says he never will back out of an offer. He must have a lot of faith in his evaluation skills as well as realizing he is dealing with young people's futures as well as how it all effects their family. Too much time wasted on "what if" rather than opening up our arms to the ones who care enough to want to be here.

[grillman]

Plus coach may be viewing this from a angle that we can't see as there might be a rising star behind gj that he could influence ! We don't get to see the larger picture that COACH does !:thumbup:

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

Let em go if he wants out, if he cant handle the talk then how is he gonna handle the full court press? :icon_rolleyes: I know for me that open scholly would go to Clarence trent or John wall if either were interested :icon_biggrin:
I've never heard "him" say he couldn't handle anything. The only thing I've read about him not being good enough is from some posters on UK sites and some insignifigant writers. As of now, he's committed to the Cats and Billy G. wants him - that's all I know and all that matters.

[weedhopper41]

I think GJ will be a solid addition to the team. Honestly all this questioning of his ability is bs. If Billy didn't have a plan for him and didn't think he would help the team he wouldn't have gotten the offer. Instead of everyone questioning him they should be supporting him. He is a future Wildcat.