One thing I have noticed when a kid picks Duke or is considering them you always here something along the lines of "the kid likes UK but the parents love Duke." Why? Surely these people can't believe the "set for life" crap from K. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.
Why do the parents like Duke?
- Thread starter IndyCat1995
- Start date
Tons of hot, wild, rich, Asian Chicks. These girls are less likely to pursue the players for the wrong reasons, and parents can get comfortable with that.
prestige factor. duke has much greater alumni who will hook you up with sweet gigs when you are done with basketball.
I think this is mostly BS and people just jump on a vague "parents like Duke kid likes UK"....I don't ever buy that excuse. It makes it easier for fan bases to blame someone for losing out to a recruit, but if you think a kid will not choose a school he really likes/loves bc of his parents? C'mon...
Cal would rather recruit the kid and not his parents. K is a suck *** and Duke sucks!
Because they know K will pamper them just like they are used to at home and Duke is a institution of higher learning so they can be spoiled in adult hood as well. I don't even like K's looks, he has that sneaky look, you can just see Krybaby coming out in him when they are getting beat. The red face and backaches are the first thing you will notice when he is getting mad.
This.
If a kid picks another school besides UK, it's because the kid likes that school. Sure parents may have a say, but kids pare down their schools near the end of the commitment because these are the colleges they really prefer.
Academics. Something like, 'If your son doesn't make the NBA, he'll still be set with a 4-yr degree from Duke'...
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I mean, that's not how the Bolden recruitment went down. Mama wanted Duke and he was certainly persuaded to some extent. That's not all recruits, but yes, it's confirmed to have happened.
They paint themselves as the complete package.
According to them, Cal and Kentucky only care about the NBA, whereas Duke can produce the top pick in the draft AND give you one of the best educations in the world and the opportunity to be part of a network of successful alumni.
It's a small, private school that probably makes parents feel safer, and it's impossible to deny the media coverage, protection, hype, etc. that comes with wearing the Duke jersey. Factor in playing for the best coach in the history of college basketball and it's quite a sell job.
Their major victory was convincing kids the NBA preparation is equal or close to equal. Once K embraced one and done and had success with it, they were going to be hard to recruit against.
Especially with the good cop/bad cop routine of K and Capel. The Saint keeps his hands clean and his image wholesome, Capel does the dirty work and spreads the lies and rumors.
Not to mention, it's a bit of a status symbol/upper class badge of honor.
According to them, Cal and Kentucky only care about the NBA, whereas Duke can produce the top pick in the draft AND give you one of the best educations in the world and the opportunity to be part of a network of successful alumni.
It's a small, private school that probably makes parents feel safer, and it's impossible to deny the media coverage, protection, hype, etc. that comes with wearing the Duke jersey. Factor in playing for the best coach in the history of college basketball and it's quite a sell job.
Their major victory was convincing kids the NBA preparation is equal or close to equal. Once K embraced one and done and had success with it, they were going to be hard to recruit against.
Especially with the good cop/bad cop routine of K and Capel. The Saint keeps his hands clean and his image wholesome, Capel does the dirty work and spreads the lies and rumors.
Not to mention, it's a bit of a status symbol/upper class badge of honor.
Bolden is a good example. Mom wanted Duke but Bolden wanted UK from what I read. We see how that is turning out.
The way the NCAA and media treat Duke certainly does not hurt.
Great academic reputation
Coach K has a super clean rep (undeserved or not)
Lots of success at the college level
The program has the reputation of being above reproach
Academics man.... Its easy to see that....Even if these kids are 1/done the parents love the fuzzy feeling of being sold the idea of their son going to an elite academic school. Same reason Harvard gets visits from Mo Bamba. Everyone knows he ain't going to Harvard... Everyone knows hes going to the NBA... but the parents still like the idea of telling ppl "my son goes to Harvard".... Its a recruiting trick..some parents realize its a trick and some don't.
If Bolden wanted UK he'd be at UK.
Anything else you read is speculation on the interwebz.
This is absolutely true.
Notice: it's usually the mom. Fans love to hate on the mom, because it's easy to build this narrative around her. Controlling moms are great villains.
The whole concept of a high school freshman being talked into playing for a school he doesn't want to play for is ridiculous. Every time I read it I cringe.
+1. I think this is a big reason. Duke is one of the top unis in the country. You know it, I know it.
I don't know that it's totally false. I also don't think it ever results in the kid playing for a school he doesn't want to play for.
I think the kid chooses the schools he likes best (of those recruiting him), takes his visits, meets with coaches, etc and the parents are along for all of these trips and discussions.
Obviously they are going to talk to their child about the decision and the things they see and hear. It's not like the parent wants the kid to go to Kentucky and the kid hates it and has no interest in going.
It's that the kid is down to 2-3 main choices and the parent clearly favors one of those. In that instance, a parent is very influential. They're going to point out the things they like based on which things they value the most. If their values are different than the kid, it can still push the kid to that school.
When you're 17 and making a massive decision, you absolutely listen to your parents. I bought a house a couple of years ago and still weighed the advice my parents gave me much heavier than I did the opinions of my friends, etc. I made my own choice, but I was partially influenced and partially reassured by their wisdom.
I think that's what happens in these situations. When you're torn or feel like you can't decide, the school that mom says is best is going to feel like the smarter, safer option. Or if you only care about playing time but mom points to the better dorms, education, etc and looks at it from an adult point of view, you can be persuaded.
Too often, we portray these situations as Marques Bolden dreaming of playing for UK but his stepmother keeps him locked in a broom cupboard and makes him pick lentils out of the fireplace while his siblings get to go to the ball.
Absolutely.
But it's become en vogue for UK fans to say, "Kid wants UK. Parents want _____." (Usually Duke.)
It just seems too pat to me. What it suggests on its face is that it's baffling for anybody to not choose Kentucky and that there must be these nefarious things going on inside the kid's inner circle.
I mean, I hate Duke like everybody else here. But it's still Duke.
Definitely.
And truth be told, a lot of these parents are *right* to like Duke. I mean if you could send your child there, to play for Coach K, on that campus, to build those connections--there's really only one other place you'd even consider.
If you think your son might be a 2-3 year type who could get a degree in three years, that Duke degree is heavy.
For the mega-elite kids like Barrett, I don't see why you'd choose anywhere other than UK as a player. But as someone who isn't a parent, I can see why they'd say "well we don't know for SURE that you're ready for the NBA in one year, son...education is important and he's the most famous coach."
Ask Chris Duhon's mom why she wanted her kid to go to Duke.
Duke is like a limo. UK is like a classic hot rod.
The limo is fancier, cushier, a little more pretentious, and drops you off directly at ESPN headquarters.
The hot rod is faster, less cushy, more down to earth, not pretentious and does not guarantee a ride to the offices of ESPN but will get you to the NBA faster.
I personally prefer the kids that like the muscle cars over the limos.
The limo is fancier, cushier, a little more pretentious, and drops you off directly at ESPN headquarters.
The hot rod is faster, less cushy, more down to earth, not pretentious and does not guarantee a ride to the offices of ESPN but will get you to the NBA faster.
I personally prefer the kids that like the muscle cars over the limos.
Because if you choose Duke you can reclassify over a year early, finish all high school classes AND be academically eligible to a top tier academic university in the matter of like 19 days.
Just ask Bags
Just ask Bags
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