Carino Column: How Adidas affects Hoops recruiting
- Thread starter dpwhite
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Meh--Carino gets a C+ overall on covering RU hoops, mostly fair considering his SHU diploma, but won't hesitate to highlight the negatives.
agree, it's not a death knell...BUT the big adidas school recruit because of who they are (Louisville, Kansas).
But look at the smaller guys, they can still pull some talent.
I'm not doubting the influence of shoe companies, just looking for clarification on exactly how this works. A kid is at a Nike-sponsored AAU program and then someone (the AAU coach? a Nike rep?) tells/directs/suggests/encourages he goes to a school also sponsored by Nike? Or there's just a personal connection for the recruit to Nike, e.g., that has developed from using their apparel on a Nike-sponsored AAU team? And so that naturally drives them to a Nike-sponsored school?
While I'm an admitted Nike diehard, I'm reluctant to say this is a bad deal from a branding standpoint. Adidas is standing in a very unique position. They hired away 3 of the top designers from Nike (whom Nike then sued for $10M). One of the designers was the head designer for Nike Basketball I think. Those three designers also happened to open the Brooklyn Creative Farm, which is Adidas stealth R&D lab. If Rutgers athletics can align with the Creative Farm (which isn't crazy considering they are the closest D1 program to the Farm), then we might be onto something. Additionally, Adidas Boost technology is all the rage now and the Adidas Yeezy line is slowly creeping onto the athletic field in cleat versions. If players get access to Yeezys and Ultraboosts, then I'd consider that a big draw to some kids. It doesn't hurt that both of those lines of sneakers are the most rare and in-demand, which draw big bucks on eBay (think about that for a second).
ouch.....I know of 3 key RU recruits that we are targeting for 2018-2019 that are aligned with Adidas....they are not necessarily 5* kids, but assuredly high enough to change RU's future in hoops in a big way.....If your premise above is true, then we'll see it impact recruiting in a positive way.....on the surface, if it doesn't happen that way and we are not getting Kanye's brand shoes and gear, it's a net negative....
great stuff, but Carino lifted a lot of his thoughts from those on the Round Table and I'm a 100% Nike person myself...There is a ton of competition for Nike aligned players, if this shortens the pool of players for RU, but increases our overall talent level with some kids, then it's a home run.....it has to happen though, we'll know in the next 6-9 months, how much of an impact it makes.
The key is access to those products and/or the Brooklyn Creative Farm. If that's the case, it will be very interesting. Also, keep in mind, the 3 designers weren't allowed to start working for Adidas (the lawsuit was settled) until last July. So, we haven't even seen their first releases. It's entirely possible that the new shift in Adidas Basketball is big with these guys on board and marks a shift in perception amongst high school athletes, much like Boost has.
If the brand name on the jersey is a deciding factor in a kid choosing where to go I'll gladly pass on that recruit regardless of how many stars they have.
Sorry but this article is bogus to me.
Sorry but this article is bogus to me.
I just get the feeling that this will have no adverse effect whasoever on Pikiell's ability to succeed.
There are some non-basketball adidas schools who are doing very well on the recruiting trail. Miss. State, as an example pulled in six 4 star kids for the Class of 2016 and another two for Class of 2017.
Nebraska is another adidas school who has fared well under Miles and their new facilities recruiting wise.
Texas A&M is looking real strong with six 4 star kids in the last 2 years.
Miami has their best recruiting classes since switching to Adidas.
All adidas schools better known for football than basketball. If you build it with good coaching, they will come regardless of logo.
Location, history, facilities, teammates, coaching, fan base, chance to play ....who needs it if your shoes got soul.~~
MO
It is a potential issue due to the impact AAU teams have on basketball recruiting. The sneaker companies sponsor the AAU teams, and the adults affiliated with the AAU team push guys to schools who have the same company sponsor. It not just an individual recruit making a decision based on the brand.
Not saying what you posit can't be possible, i.e. aligning Rutgers Athletics with the BCF, but since this discussion is on the hoops board, I'm not sure if you meant what you said about being the closest D1 program to Brooklyn. Did you mean P5 hoops program? Assuming you're not talking about football, then there are a handful of D1 hoops programs closer to (or in) Brooklyn than Rutgers, including St John's in Queens.
Agree...by the way, has anyone branded the jockstrap market?
if not why...the health and care of your nuts are just important if not more so than your bunions.
MO
Yes. The deal is six years. Plus Adidas is willing to pay double ($10 million) what Nike paid us. Start winning and it won't matter if we wear Adidas, UA, Nike or freakin' Hoka.
In addition, we can probably negotiate more money and/or have more leverage in three years when are to biggest teams are on solid ground have completely put the controversies behind us. Fingers crossed.
If this impacts revenue, yes, it impacts.
Kids will choose not to come here because of the state of the basketball program. Not because of a shoe group. I am in my mid 20s. I am informed with the culture of basketball.
A recruit matter is #1- Is the team winning,can they win in the future?
2-Are the coaches good enough to improve my play?
3- Will I get playing time, or what is the coaches philosophy on that matter?
The type of clothing worn is 14-20 on the list.
Kids will choose not to come here because of the state of the basketball program. Not because of a shoe group. I am in my mid 20s. I am informed with the culture of basketball.
A recruit matter is #1- Is the team winning,can they win in the future?
2-Are the coaches good enough to improve my play?
3- Will I get playing time, or what is the coaches philosophy on that matter?
The type of clothing worn is 14-20 on the list.
Great point. And number 4 or depending on the kid's outlook, it could be #1, can this coach and team get me into the NBA?
more about access/niceties with the AAU coaches than it is with player shoe preference.
100% agree...a little uphill battle, but in the long run not a huge deal.
Agree that the Neb/ASU/A&M guys can still pull talent with Adidas.
Secondly, you never know how the shoe landscape will change.
Absolutely.
#5- How is the food there? Is it the best food I will ever eat? Ru-yes.
#6- How are the academics there?Will it allow me to have a viable plan b?
#7- How are the academic advisors?
#7- How are the dorms? Are they close to playing facility?
#8- How are the fans?How is the arena during a close game?
AAU is a cesspool. If you can avoid it, you are lucky. If you can be straight up with the players and not sketchy, the players will appreciate it.
Thousands of programs in D1 sports are successful without Under Armor.
Seton Hall has under Armour. It doesn't matter if their coach is not fit for the job.
Didn't read because I felt it was what probably what @NewJerseyHawk said in bold below...
Agree.
If (to paraphrase Dennis Green) he is who we think he is...not worried.
Why Adidas Is Outperforming Nike, Under Armour
http://fortune.com/2016/08/04/adidas-outperforming-nike-ua/
http://fortune.com/2016/08/04/adidas-outperforming-nike-ua/
I think I may be out of touch with how itd affect AAU access so I'll just trust you on that part. That being said, it doesn't seem the Nike deal has worked wonders for us on the recruiting trail!
True enough. I guess I'm just bummed the deal is for so little compared to our conference brethren.