It’s very odd. Everyone seems to think he’s gonna pull the trigger for anywhere other than UK. From everything I’ve heard/read, UK feels like they’re right there. Their thought is it’s Memphis or UK. I just hope it’s ANYWHERE but MEMPHIS!
Duren, August 6th decision date.
- Thread starter sa_hunt
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They (staff) had the same feel for Hardy. They felt good about that one up to the end (almost). I hope he comes, but I ain’t holding my breath.
Highly unlikely and not really a must ... not going to sweat it either way. May be to many players at UK right now that he would have to compete with for time
He's listed at 6'9 1/2", and some have him at 6'10" with shoes.
Do you anticipate him playing barefoot in the Eastern Hill Mountain Man League?
People think we aren't getting him so they have to make it seem like he wasn't any good.
I like Duren, but I don't think we'll get him. There's no real smoke in our direction.
Duren's got 2 family members who want him to go to Kentucky. Also another person he's close with prefers he choose Kentucky. That's why UK staff feels they've got a shot.
Sky hinted around about few new commits coming up. Seems to possibly fit the timeline? Maybe we turn this thing around fella cats. If we get sharpe, duren possibly? Can we shutup about sky. He needs our support. If they pick us. That means sky is wanted by them. Let's get positive. He can flat penetrate, he isnt a pencil. He strong. Go cats!
It is just amazing to me how many people seemingly have influence in these high profile recruitments. I mean I was a DI athlete and it was completely my decision, my parents were the only ones who had a small influence and they didn't really care as long as I got college paid for. These guys now are literally a business with seemingly multiple investors that have a piece of them.
Makes Sense! Hopefully they can persuade him to pick Kentucky..
It's been said at peach jam he's closer to 6'8 than 6'10, but I don't care cause I want him.
Right...but it's how things work. I mean Memphis is hiring Rasheed Wallace/Larry Brown because they are selling them to guys from Philly (Duren) and Detroit (Bates) and they had great success as star HS player/NBA Champion and NBA Finals Coach/Championship Coach in both cities as well. So the families/people around know who they are and Nike is loyal to a brand guy in Penny who had a signature shoe and want to see him succeed as he was injured/changed his career. Nike just prefers Duren is a Nike guy whether it's Kentucky/Memphis/Pro Ball.
Here's what I've seen from him--a guy who wins and is a winning player and his teams win championships. He seems to have followed a path that matters to him and if he chooses CBB route, there's 1 program who his presence makes them an immediate favorite to get to the Final Four/contend for a championship.
Since Last Fall, Duren's teams are 58-4, with a HS National Championship and Nike EYBL/Peach Jam Championship. He's taken on all his peers and never backed away from challenge. He can do several things to impact his team/game and that's special. He's played with a top 3 talent in fellow frontcourt star Dereck Lively or he's played where he's the lone big man and been surrounded by elite talent at Montverde with other great players like Dariq Whitehead, kid whose name is escaping me but will be a FR at Michigan is a fantastic shooter, etc....
Winners win. People who don't like them find reasons to not like them. Lively's all of 7'1 and Duren didn't look 6'8 next to him--he looked 6'10 and skilled. Is he perfect? No. Few guys are and nobody is at HS level, but he's going to be a fantastic addition to any CBB program who gets him and I hope Kentucky wins out.
I've always had the feeling he will go where he can make the most money. It feels like whatever school is able to put together the best NIL package will get him.
I don't blame him at all if that is how he makes his choice.
I don't blame him at all if that is how he makes his choice.
I think it will be UK or Miami.
Tea leaves say Miami because of Irving and because he’s announcing it at Team Final headquarters.
Slight chance it’s UK because, as others have commented, it’s super quiet.
Feel like we’d know already if Memphis was the choice because Penny would be bragging about it behind the scenes.
Tea leaves say Miami because of Irving and because he’s announcing it at Team Final headquarters.
Slight chance it’s UK because, as others have commented, it’s super quiet.
Feel like we’d know already if Memphis was the choice because Penny would be bragging about it behind the scenes.
Momma Duren likes the UK pitch while it seems as though Jalen himself is leaning more towards Memphis.
At this point, I think the only thing UK can do is emphasis that this is business decision. Do you want to go with a proven commodity or take a chance it works out elsewhere?
How dare you come in here and make sense!!! Don’t you know where you are??? This is RR,
Where we freak out over players we don’t even need to begin with and when all else fails, blame Cal.
This I think it was just some random fans opinion on the 6ft8. The team USA camp has him at 6ft9.5 a year ago at 16. They usually measure. I posted a link a few posts ago to an article showing him next to Lively and noway is he 4 to 5 inches shorter
No clue if he will live up to the hype but unless someone is lying majorly or he shrunk he is listed as 6'10, 230 with a 7'5 wingspan. Not to mention he appears to have a pretty strong face up game. Would likely be a prototypical stretch 4 in college/NBA.
Yeah, those fools. We should be blaming the guy that works 3rd shift at the Speedway. Never keeping the soda fountain clean. That's why we strike out on top 5 recruits.
Duke Michigan North Carolina Texas now Alabama
Kansas UCLA Oregon to name a few more.
Most guys don't measure what they state. And there were reports that hes not 6'10", but that really wasn't my point. Duren is going to be a good college player and I'd like to have him at UK. Buy guys like the one I responded to earlier acting like Duren is "surefire top 2 pick" just so they can cut Cal down when he doesn't come here is annoying. My point stands, if Duren reclasses, he is not a surefire top 2 pick in next years draft.
Yet, do you really have a clue about my motives in that post?
And "surefire" top 2 pick is pretty relative when looking ahead. Mashburn wasn't even a "surefire" top 2 pick, due to the premier talent in his draft. But Duren is the real deal, and you are already changing the goalpost on your projection. From "Nobody is drafting a 6'8" center in the top 2" to "he is not a surefire top 2 pick in next years draft."
Those are two entirely different statements. One is certain. One is open ended.
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Most think Skyy was hinting at Lively and Sharpe.
Being a D1 athlete and being a possible 1st round pick/ G league offer player are entirely different circumstances.
Top 5 recruits??! I thought we wanted 3-4 year guys and experience? We don’t want that now since it doesn’t fit the narrative?
Cal did everything this off-season that the fans wanted but you wouldn’t have anything to complain about if you actually gave him credit.
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Right? I mean, the guy even got a part-time job to help the Speedway clerk get **** right with that soda machine. Cut the man some slack!
I think Duren is a really good player, and likely a top 10 pick no matter what happens, but a whole lot of guys would be winners at Montverde and with Team Final.
I think it does say that he seems to at least value winning though. He puts himself in situations to play with other great players and then holds up his end of the deal. That bodes well for us.
Doesn't seem like we have any momentum though. I'd be very surprised if it's us, but I was surprised with Knox and Bam too.
I think it does say that he seems to at least value winning though. He puts himself in situations to play with other great players and then holds up his end of the deal. That bodes well for us.
Doesn't seem like we have any momentum though. I'd be very surprised if it's us, but I was surprised with Knox and Bam too.
If you want to look for positive UK signs and I'm just bringing this up because the guy hates Cal so much--but the shots about Duren started with Gary Parrish.
I think he’s a good player but I think In our situation he would be more in the Montgomery role. A guy that we could get late and not necessarily have to have but fans feel like he’s the missing piece.
That’s one thing I hadn’t considered: how much does Duren playing with Lively in AAU factor into the decision?
Maybe I’m wrong but many seem to feel Lively is a UK lean. Not sure how close these guys get on the AAU circuit, but does that experience of playing with Lively factor into the equation? I’m assuming it’s a tiny factor if a factor at all but just interested in hearing an informed opinion.
I don't see were he had anything not positive about uk. It seemed like a afterthought imo. Like ya everyone knows what uk got to offer. But Cal and me talk alot. Seems to leave his vision of me as closing statement. We been down this road b4 lol. 
