2007 Commits

[T75]

Looking down Rivals list of top 100 in the 2007 class I see that Florida and even Georgia already have 2 each verbally committed in that class. In addition Mich St, Duke, Md have 2 commits and Illinois has 3. I'd sure like to see us land some early commitments from this group so Tubby wouldn't have to do the last minute frantics next yearas he's done this year in trying to find a big man that could help right away.

[Stretch]

The vast majority of early commitments are local kids who choose their home school because they have been fans of that program all their lives. Unfortunately, Kentucky high school basketball is going through a period of several years with no elite prospects who can step in and make a difference at a school of UK's stature--unlike Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and other states that produce gobs of big time talent year in and year out.

[NickT315]

FCFS82 wrote: We have offered 11 players so far according to Scout and Rivals. We've missed on three players, all who signed with in-state schools.

Jerryd Bayless, SG, 6-3/180, Phoenix, AZ (St. Mary's HS) Arizona
Durrell Summers, SG, 6-5/195, Redford, MI (Covenant HS) Michigan State
Gani Lawal, PF, 6-8/205, Norcross, GA (Norcross HS) Georgia Tech

O.J. Mayo, PG, 6-4/190, Cincinnati, OH (North College Hill)
Isaiah Thomas, PG, 5-8/160, Tacoma, WA (Curtis Senior HS)

John Keye, SF, 6-6/215, Jackson, GA (Jackson HS)

James Hickson, PF, 6-8/220, Marietta, GA (Wheeler HS)
Gary Johnson, PF, 6-7/205, Houston, TX (Aldine HS)
Patrick Patterson, PF, 6-8/234, Huntington, WV (Huntington HS)
Anthony Randolph, PF, 6-10/210, Dallas, TX (Woodrow Wilson)
Josh Southern, C, 6-9/230, Saginaw, MI (Saginaw HS)

I see five people trying to shore the situation on the frontline.

The bigger point to be made? You can't rush the kid's commitment. Some guys want it over with quick. Others want to take their five visits (vacations) and see the best places in the country. As best I understand it (no, I haven't ever recruited) but its a crapshoot all the way around.

So what can UK sell?

- Rabid fanbase that I think is more positive than negative
- Television domination in the southeast as UK regularly gets CBS/JP/ESPN coverage
- The new practice facility - which goes far beyond what other schools can offer
- Rupp Arena and 7 National Championship banners
- A coach who can get you to the pros, whether your a can't miss kid or not (Prince, Bogans, Hayes, Daniels)
- Then I would produce a list of UK grads and what they're doing now. NBA or not, I don't know of many UK players for lack of want or need. They've usually parlayed their degree and their notoriety into nice jobs and opportunities.

Other than these things, it simply has come down to communication with the recruits in my mind. What do 17, 18 year old kids want to hear today? I have no idea. In my opinion Lexington is like any other college town. You can find what you want here that you can get 99 percent elsewhere.

Style of play? Our defense creates our offense, period and you have to pass the ball. Maybe that is where other schools have us beat. Duke seems to promise about seven kids elite playing time. The rest of their bench are faceless guys who serve as practice fodder and get in the team picture. Other schools play a flowing offense but can't stop anyone and usually get put out quick in the tournament (thinking Tennessee, Gonzaga).

All this is basically to say that I don't know the in's and out's of recruiting, but somewhere, UK is not making the connection. Then again, I dont know what other staffs are promising their kids and whether or not they deliver what they promise.

So its not as if UK hasn't offered anyone and we're doing nothing. Its in the kid's hands now and you can't put a gun to them and make them make a decision. Or you can force your hand, pressure all the kids and come off unfavorable with the parents. If anything, someone should corner the signed guys for 2006 and ask them why they chose UK.

:shrug:







I believe we have also offered...

Deandre Jordan and Aaron Pogue



These are the players I believe we have offered:

Bill Walker

OJ Mayo

Aaron Pogue

Gary Johnson

Patrick Patterson

DeAndre Jordan

JJ Hickson


Anthony Randolph

Isaiah Thomas

Josh Southern

[DCWildcat]

Anyone feel like we need to offer Dante Jackson?

According to scout (and yes, I recognize its 2007 rankings aren't all that accurate right now), he's the only player with high interest in us right now. Between scout and rivals, he is a 6'5" SG, 185-195 lbs

Given our desperate coming need for a 3 (we have none after Perry graduates, and it's unlikely Tyler Smith will sign), and the way this could looks in pictures, if he could get "meated up" he could have a very Buike-like body.

[RP_McMurphy]

Last minute frantics...........Naw that's just Tubby Smith recruiting 101.

[catfando]

The vast majority of early commitments are local kids who choose their home school because they have been fans of that program all their lives. Unfortunately, Kentucky high school basketball is going through a period of several years with no elite prospects who can step in and make a difference at a school of UK's stature--unlike Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Texas and other states that produce gobs of big time talent year in and year out.
Chris Lofton and Rondo are the only ones that come to mind as elite players from Ky in the past few years.......OH MY GOD, did I just agree with Stretch :cool:.....LOL

[canadacat]

just heard that i.thomas committed to washington. so you can scratch him off the list.

[Coldstream]

canadacat wrote: just heard that i.thomas committed to washington. so you can scratch him off the list.



I'm not disappointed about losing out to Washington. Besides, I've read that Gary Johnson will go with Jai Lucas as a package and we're supposedly in good position with both of them.