DJ JeffrieS Decommits from UK....

JC CATS

Heisman
Jun 18, 2009
23,517
12,221
0
I suggested this was a possibility last week - especially if Penny can pull a couple big time recruits on top of Wiseman and everyone went ballistic at the suggestion.

I imagine all Penny had to do was put a bug in his ear about the imminent commitment from
Jahlil Whitney. I think the writing is on the wall in regards to Wiseman.
If he is afraid of competition, do we want him?
 

Newcattitudes

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2005
2,301
1,976
0
Not one bit sad that he decommitted. At best he is top 30ish. Not a great outside shooter and most of all his heart is not with Cal and the Cats. Was it really necessary for his dad to throw the staff under the bus? Not a good look for his dad to be honest.
 

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,451
46,418
90
Cal doesn’t offer kids super early, doesn’t pressure them to commit early. He’s very selective in handing out offers at all.

There’s a reason that no one here has ever backed out of a commitment. They are 100% in or Cal doesn’t take them.

Or maybe I should say 98%. Because DJ is apparently that 1 in 50.

And of course I wasn’t on the phone to hear the conversation between the staff and DJ’s dad, but if I had to guess I bet it was far more professional than he would have liked. Was probably thinking he would get his butt kissed and instead got a door slammed in his face.
 

RalphDaltonFan

Heisman
Apr 3, 2002
60,265
41,760
113
When things go south in any ending of a relationship--be it personal/professional, the #1 rule is to keep things private and don't react on a public forum. You will sound petty, ignorant, and regret it. Doesn't mean I think UK staff didn't get heated as they repeatedly tell kids don't commit if you are unsure, but they also have benefited from the process of a player re-opening a recruitment. That said, the "perception of being a UK commit didn't match the reality". WTF does that even mean? You expected a ranking boost? More attention from media?
 

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,332
0
Dad was just on 92.9FM in Memphis saying "We talked with Kentucky and it kinda shocked me. They were kinda unprofessional. They didn't handle the news the way I expected them to handle it, being professionals."
Ok I was willing to move on but this riled me up. This kid and his father are acting like punks. You commit to a school and then break your word, how did you expect them to react? Making a commitment and then not following through are the definition of unprofessional.

I get it that committing doesn't mean to these families what it means to everyone else and we have to just get used to it. But you don't have the right to whine about it like a little girl after you did it.

Clearly this kid and his father were worried about how the decommit to work and this was a passive aggressive attempt at trying to control the narrative.
 

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,332
0
I hope they get McDaniels now to go alongside a big. I don't think Wiseman comes at this point. Get McDaniels, Whitney, a big, and a few guys in the spring to round it out. Bring back Baker, Quickley, Herro and perhaps Richards. DJ would have been nice but I feel like UK held off on McDaniels because fear of upsetting the Jeffries/Wiseman combo.
I feel the exact opposite. I hope Wiseman makes his own decision on what's best for him and comes here and Jeffries ends up being a low level player at a low level school with not enough help to get into the NCAAs.
 

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
10,332
0
What about Terrence Jones, Enes Kanter, Sacha Killeya-Jones, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyler Herro, EJ Montgomery, Ashton Hagans?
None of those called the school they decommitted from unprofessional after they did it.
 

sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
7,178
19,040
103
Just a completely uneducated guess, but I'd be willing to bet the following:
1) This kid wanted to be treated like royalty by the staff once he committed. Instead they checked in and kept on recruiting. He probably had his feelings hurt because they didn't treat him like he was the next Wall, Boogie or Davis.
2) He/his dad wanted Cal and staff to beg them to reconsider. They wanted to feel super important. Cal likely said "Best of luck, we're moving on" and that was it. Their ego wasn't boosted like they wanted and now they are trying to make Cal and staff look bad publicly.

Again, just my opinions.
 

ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2007
2,452
2,330
113
Now this is getting weird. Seems like we dodged a bullet though. I wish the best of luck to DJ, BUT....

UK has never been questioned as being unprofessional. In fact, I would imagine their response to the decommittment would be too professional. The Staff probably said okay. And washed their hands of the situation, especially if they were blindsided by the news.

UK isn’t chasing kids to stay committed. This isn’t a 90s R&B “please baby please” type of coaching staff. If we don’t beg Anthony Davis, Brandon Knight, or KAT to stay... then we ain’t begging you to come.

UK and what they offer a potential recruit has always been straight forward. Work hard. Play hard. Compete. Reap the benefits. Simple as that.

Now going in the radio or speaking to whoever puts a mic in front of you and saying one party has been unprofessional isnt very.... wait for it.... professional.

Just go to Memphis and be happy.

And I didn’t know what DJ expected when he committed. None of our players have ever complained regardless of when they committed. Tyrese is out here recruiting for us. Maybe he was expecting a spike in the rankings. Maybe more check ins. Maybe he wanted be fast tracked for more All Star games. Who knows? But he should be focused on getting better and competing when he got to Lexington.
 

Ky_Bred_Cat

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2014
2,186
4,074
113
Jeffries decision could be due to numerous reasons many of which are speculated in this thread. In the end, however, the easier route was chosen. That is the result no matter what the reason given.

He may benefit from this. He was facing an uphill battle at UK for playing time and opportunity. Maybe it is better for him to go somewhere he will play more. Only time will tell.

Wiseman can go anywhere he wants and end up a lottery pick. Jeffries doesn't have that luxury.

I don't buy the theory they are coordinating their college picks. There's too much at stake to factor buddy time into their decisions. If they are it won't impact Wiseman but could backfire on Jeffries.
 

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,906
17,824
93
Jefferies the type of kid that we take to fill out the class after we've gotten 4-5 top 25 recruits.

Cal liked him enough to offer him way ahead of time. What was different than how he expected it to be?

The truth is, he's finally given into Penny and he's going to Memphis. He doesn't want to be seen as a bad guy. And now they're throwing Cal under the bus.
 
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Wildcats1st

Heisman
Sep 16, 2017
18,949
28,911
0

"The reality?" Smh. The reality was DJ had the opportunity of a lifetime, but the integrity of a turd.

I didn't want to say anything bad about the kid, but this is another example of why parents should be seen and not heard. Jmo.

This guy wants to tarnish UK rep in the short term so Memphis gets wiseman and maybe make a play for Maxey. I guarantee all the negative shat that’s come public has been encouraged by penny to leverage himself with future recruits
 
Nov 27, 2009
21,246
21,450
0
This kid would have wilted under the pressure of Cal and the Big Blue Nation like a daisy in the Sahara. Folks, we dodged a BB here. Not a bullet, cause they are much more powerful. But a BB gun shot at close range can still put ur eye out!
 

Random UK Fan

All-American
Jan 5, 2010
18,717
9,969
81
His decommittment opens a spot on the roster. If his dad says UK was unprofessional, so be it. I say let Jeffries play where his heart is, Penny will have his moment and then fade. UK is about lasting.
 

UofMemphis

Freshman
Mar 30, 2007
1,220
51
0
Memphis, the fanbase always getting something new to hope in but never arriving. At least Cal made you relevant for a while...lol.

BTW, if you're counting on Sam Mitchell & Tony Madlock as your hope then....[roll]

Personally, I enjoyed watching his Toronto teams play. They always seemed to play hard for him. I felt like he deserved NBA COY.
 

UofMemphis

Freshman
Mar 30, 2007
1,220
51
0
Memphis is ****. You don’t belong on our court. And we are waaaay to good to step foot in your ghetto.

Losing record to Tennessee all time, and you want a home and home with the greatest program of all time?

In your dreams, enjoy mid major land. Did the big12 call yet??? Bbwahahahha

I’d rather play Louisville anyway...
 

track42

Heisman
Feb 18, 2017
6,597
15,047
0
Did you think Tyler Herro, SGA, Derek Willis, Trey Lyles, Demarcus Cousins and Terrence Jones had "the integrity of a turd"?

I'm cracking up at all these shots I'm seeing at the kid's character today. We certainly didn't see it that way when we were on the other side of these decommit dramas.
At least they didn't have trashy parents going after the school they chose to decommit from.
 
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morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
I’d rather play Louisville anyway...

No you wouldn't. And Louisville doesn't gain anything by playing Memphis either. They left your level a long time ago, try Eastern then give western a call when you have some credentials. As it stands they have a better program historically too.

And Memphis vs Louisville would truly be the John's vs. Bitches game. And once again, Memphis has yet another losing record to a team Kentucky has dominated since the beginning.

Run off to your AACA board or whatever the hell they call your kids conference.
 
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Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,906
17,824
93
Interestingly: he’s looking Memphis, Mississippi State and some other SEC schools, and he’s not going to consider Kentucky.

Lol, you’d rather go to Mississippi State? Wut? We all know you’re going to Memphis
 

Shaudylo

Heisman
Apr 2, 2011
11,513
25,901
112
Interestingly: he’s looking Memphis, Mississippi State and some other SEC schools, and he’s not going to consider Kentucky.

Lol, you’d rather go to Mississippi State? Wut? We all know you’re going to Memphis
More like Kentucky is not considering him now
 
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bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
My take:

1. Jeffries has been "hearing" the same thing we have over the past few weeks about how Cal is "enamored" with Whitney. Whitney is ranked higher than Jeffries.

2. Another top 50 SF (Allen) is visiting this week as well.

3. Cal is still actively recruiting Brooks, another 3/4. Brooks is ranked higher than Jeffries.

4. There are also reports that Cal is in contact with McDaniels, another 3/4 ranked higher than Jeffries.

5. Jeffries talks to Wiseman. The staff has reportedly been trying to sell Wiseman on being a 4 and playing alongside Carey.

6. Memphis/Penny is showing him constant love. He has a relationship with Penny and knows he'll start at Memphis from day one.

So do you go to Memphis and play for a coach you know that really wants you and has made you a priority or do you go to UK and probably end up fighting for playing time with a couple to several guys ranked higher or about the same as you for a coach that hasn't been showing you much attention (your opinion) since you committed?

And when you call and expect Cal to beg you to stay committed and he doesn't you spin it (on Memphis radio, no less) that the staff was unprofessional (translated: didn't kiss up and try to beg you to come there).

That's just my guess.
 
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LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
33,002
34,609
113
Memphis has been waiting 9 years to get the jab in on us..... gonna get Jefferies and Wiseman... congrats.. now watch our better recruiting class take shape and weep ya tiger sissies.
 

Blue Decade

All-American
May 3, 2013
10,266
6,034
0
This is called CYA. I wouldn’t expect him to say Cal was glad to hear it.

My assumptions would be that Cal told him UK would move on and sign someone else now. UK’s staff probably doesn’t appreciate being jerked around by a kid who is a good player but frankly not an elite one. Dad might not have liked that. In the greater scheme of things, what difference does it make now?
Given the subsequent statements by Jeffries’ daddy, I believe it is now clear that their accusation of unprofessionalism is a direct result of their surprise and disappointment that UK’s coaches didn’t watch Jeffries’ recent AAU game out west. It appears that UK’s coaches knew Jeffries was still talking with Penny, so they moved on. This behavior cost Jeffries his UK scholarship offer. If that’s unprofessional, then I’m Davy Crockett.
 

Sithlyone

All-Conference
Apr 12, 2012
2,086
1,501
0
Ummm....that would be Brinks truck

Lol.

I'm pretty sure you got the point and knew what I was talking about.

That kind of nonsense is what I hate most about this forum. Typing on a phone is problematic enough without all the high school antics thrown into the mix. Typos are going to happen, get over it.
 

Sithlyone

All-Conference
Apr 12, 2012
2,086
1,501
0
Given the subsequent statements by Jeffries’ daddy, I believe it is now clear that their accusation of unprofessionalism is a direct result of their surprise and disappointment that UK’s coaches didn’t watch Jeffries’ recent AAU game out west. It appears that UK’s coaches knew Jeffries was still talking with Penny, so they moved on. This behavior cost Jeffries his UK scholarship offer. If that’s unprofessional, then I’m Davy Crockett.

It smacks of entitlement to me. They feel that they should be treated as special after they've committed. If he was a smart kid he wouldn't want Cal at his games. He'd want him out recruiting others to make his team better.