Let's talk Skal's eligibility...

[Son_Of_Saul]

I've been reading some concerned posts on this message board lately, referencing Skal as a possibly non-qualifier.


Just curious, outside of the hollow, ill-informed Forbes article and the unnamed coach who spoke with CBS last fall, what are the real reasons Kentucky should be concerned?


Skal's grades are in order. His school is fully in compliance with NCAA rules. Let's pinpoint the possible red flags:

1. His handler reportedly shopped him over two years ago, and this according to a vengeful AU coach who wanted Skal to stay local and openly admitted he was hoping Skal would play locally (even after throwing him under the bus).

2. He didn't play for his high school this year due to not enrolling soon enough after attempting to transfer to other schools. Instead, he played at a newly created school team, while at the same time still taking classes at his original school.



So here's your 2 reasons - both iffy and both weak. I'd like to discuss this issue in detail, considering that Skal will be our presumable centerpiece next year on both ends of the floor.


And on a side note, let's stray from the paranoid "NCAA is out to get us" rationale and have a big-boy conversation without the tin foil hats this time. Thanks in advance.

 

[OldSmoky]

if sandy bell says he is ok....then he is ok. no need to discus anything.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Some UL fans hoping an yacking about the handler doing something. But how would anyone know except the handler or a high school coach that wanted him at their school. With his grades in order it would take a real low life to try and destroy the kids future.

 

[Ugoff]

Originally posted by pappy52:

if sandy bell says he is ok....then he is ok. no need to discus anything.

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with pappy52.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Originally posted by BigBlueManSouthCentralKY:
Some UL fans hoping an yacking about the handler doing something. But how would anyone know except the handler or a high school coach that wanted him at their school. With his grades in order it would take a real low life to try and destroy the kids future.

U of smelL fans should stick to what they know best, kiddy porn, abortions and a continuously self-documented case of massive penis envy.

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

The NCAA is going to be looking into the funding for Skal's "prep team." That is probably the biggest issue. I don't know what is and what isn't allowed, but there were no doubt expenses for uniforms, travel, tournament entry fees, etc. Maybe the parents of the players all chipped in. My guess is that if anything pops up with Skal's eligibility, this is where it will have happened.

And just so I am clear, I don't think Skal will be ruled ineligible. If there is anything out of order it will probably result in a few missed games at most. But with Sandy Bell on the case I'm sure they are aware of all of the issues and they have shown no issues with accepting Skal's commitment.

 

[GonzoCat90]

When has a lack of legitimate evidence to be concerned ever kept us from freaking out before?

We could cut down the nets next season and have someone with 85 posts start a thread wondering if the NCAA will treat us like USC Football, and that'll go four pages with tons of debate about Rose's SAT and Corey Maggette.

Coupled with us paying Anthony Davis, the Harrison twins and Marquis Teague, WWW landing us Gilchrist, and Cal tampering with Jones, we'll probably get the death penalty anyway, so might as well just enjoy the ride before all our recruits and Cal leave for the NBA.

 

[keefsopeng]

i wish i had screen shotted the 2 posters who got really nasty with me cause I can't remember who it was when this 1st came up a 6-12 months ago. I had heard from people in Memphis that Skal is a great kid, on the Karl Towns nice factor. But his host family were trash. That they heard he had potential in Haiti and that they picked him because of that, that there was another Haitian kid they brought over with Skal and when it was deemed he didn't have D1 ability they sent him on his way. I said I hoped that Skal wouldn't be in jeopardy by such trashy people, but you never know. How a someone who isn't a family member and has no connection what so ever could bring a young man into to their home and do that is baffling, but maybe the transfer program should be looked into more than that because they need to be screening these people better. Anyway the good news is if his host family did anything wrong and he won't be eligible, we will know cause you can bet the NCAA is going to be going over this with a fine tooth comb so they'll be no playing and post vacating.

 

[BonesAndDones]

Originally posted by pappy52:

if sandy bell says he is ok....then he is ok. no need to discus anything.

Guess you never heard of Enes Kanter? The school Skal attended was created just so he could play and for whom else Gerald Hamilton, the same "guardian" that shopped him. But I'm a troll because the truth is the truth and I just point it out.

 

[new era cat]

Originally posted by GonzoCat90:

When has a lack of legitimate evidence to be concerned ever kept us from freaking out before?

We could cut down the nets next season and have someone with 85 posts start a thread wondering if the NCAA will treat us like USC Football, and that'll go four pages with tons of debate about Rose's SAT and Corey Maggette.

Coupled with us paying Anthony Davis, the Harrison twins and Marquis Teague, WWW landing us Gilchrist, and Cal tampering with Jones, we'll probably get the death penalty anyway, so might as well just enjoy the ride before all our recruits and Cal leave for the NBA.

You forgot the "independent review board" of Bledsoe's grades.

 

[preacherfan]

Originally posted by BLUEballs09:

Originally posted by pappy52:

if sandy bell says he is ok....then he is ok. no need to discus anything.

Guess you never heard of Enes Kanter? The school Skal attended was created just so he could play and for whom else Gerald Hamilton, the same "guardian" that shopped him. But I'm a troll because the truth is the truth and I just point it out.

Making the comparison with Kanter is completely off base. In fact, it is off the planet. If you go to JPScott's site and read up on the situation, you will discover that the NCAA ruled inconsistently.

 

[mesacatfan]

If the NCAA has the balls to tell a Haitian earthquake survivor he can't play college basketball, guarantee the media will crucify them for it.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by mesacatfan:
If the NCAA has the balls to tell a Haitian earthquake survivor he can't play college basketball, guarantee the media will crucify them for it.

this . i have zero worries about Skal . It is just something the negative asses on here like to harp about .

 

[dave5164]

I know Skai and Kanter is two different issues but I would believe that after what we went through with Kanter that Coach Cal and Sandy Bell has made sure with Skai Labissiere that his Recruiting will be 100% OK!

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

Balls09. Is there anything else you would like to just make up completely about Skal?

His high school is Lausanne Collegiate School which was not set up for him.

His guardian has not shopped him anywhere.

Good try though.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[GonzoCat90]

Originally posted by BLUEballs09:

I'm a troll

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by GonzoCat90:

Originally posted by BLUEballs09:

I'm a troll

WE need to create a board called THE BRIDGE so all of the trolls have a place to hang out as it seems trolls love hanging under bridges from what i hear.

 

[Brando Mac]

Originally posted by mesacatfan:
If the NCAA has the balls to tell a Haitian earthquake survivor he can't play college basketball, guarantee the media will crucify them for it.

They would do that only if he had committed to play for anyone other than Kentucky and Calipari.

 

[dave5164]

I would say since Cal has known there would be 5-7 players headed to the NBA and losing KAT, WCS, Lyles, and Johnson all of our big Men except Lee that Cal and Sandy Bell are making 99% sure that are players coming in have no eligibility problems for next year!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Originally posted by BLUEballs09:

But I'm a troll

Very good post and accurate as well.

 

[Ben101er]

I think this is one of the reasons that UK has 2 former NCAA compliance people working for Sandy Bell.

 

[Couch2UK]

The Enes Kanter issue still stings. Another title we would have won had his eligibility not been an issue.

 

[BBBLazing]

Originally posted by Son_Of_Saul:

I've been reading some concerned posts on this message board lately, referencing Skal as a possibly non-qualifier.


Just curious, outside of the hollow, ill-informed Forbes article and the unnamed coach who spoke with CBS last fall, what are the real reasons Kentucky should be concerned?


Skal's grades are in order. His school is fully in compliance with NCAA rules. Let's pinpoint the possible red flags:

1. His handler reportedly shopped him over two years ago, and this according to a vengeful AU coach who wanted Skal to stay local and openly admitted he was hoping Skal would play locally (even after throwing him under the bus).

2. He didn't play for his high school this year due to not enrolling soon enough after attempting to transfer to other schools. Instead, he played at a newly created school team, while at the same time still taking classes at his original school.



So here's your 2 reasons - both iffy and both weak. I'd like to discuss this issue in detail, considering that Skal will be our presumable centerpiece next year on both ends of the floor.


And on a side note, let's stray from the paranoid "NCAA is out to get us" rationale and have a big-boy conversation without the tin foil hats this time. Thanks in advance.

Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Skal actually attended a school primarily for "home schooled" kids. I know I'm not using the exact correct term, but it wasn't a normal high school. He actually played basketball this year for "school" on a team that was put together by his "handler" for "home schooled" kids, but didn't actually have a campus, classrooms or teachers. I know I heard at one point that his "school team" cancelled a game this season because Skal was sick. They were not allowed to play an any TN high school post season because it was not really a school. Have any of you ever heard of a legitimate team cancelling a game because a player was sick? Am I wrong?

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Originally posted by BBBLazing:


Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Skal actually attended a school primarily for "home schooled" kids. I know I'm not using the exact correct term, but it wasn't a normal high school. He actually played basketball this year for "school" on a team that was put together by his "handler" for "home schooled" kids, but didn't actually have a campus, classrooms or teachers. I know I heard at one point that his "school team" cancelled a game this season because Skal was sick. They were not allowed to play an any TN high school post season because it was not really a school. Have any of you ever heard of a legitimate team cancelling a game because a player was sick? Am I wrong?

A player doesn't have to actually even play to receive an athletic scholarship, otherwise kids with injuries their senior year would be doomed as far as college eligibility is concerned. That said, Skal's academics are the main crux here. They are in good standing. I liken his created team to a church league squad. If he played on a church league squad his senior year, it still wouldn't jeopardize his eligibility unless his squad received improper benefits from an outside source.


His basketball team this year is a humorous anomaly, but not something that can hurt his college eligibility, unless improper benefits were obtained for his team or for Skal's inner circle.

 

[preacherfan]

Originally posted by BBBLazing:


Correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that Skal actually attended a school primarily for "home schooled" kids. I know I'm not using the exact correct term, but it wasn't a normal high school. He actually played basketball this year for "school" on a team that was put together by his "handler" for "home schooled" kids, but didn't actually have a campus, classrooms or teachers. I know I heard at one point that his "school team" cancelled a game this season because Skal was sick. They were not allowed to play an any TN high school post season because it was not really a school. Have any of you ever heard of a legitimate team cancelling a game because a player was sick? Am I wrong?

What you are describing is not all that rare. Okay, maybe it is rare for homeschooled kids to have a bball team of their own but they often have other sports and competitions that are created just for homeschoolers. Often, they play for local teams but take their classes at home.

As someone else said, as long as the academics are in order, the kid will be eligible to play. BTW, every state treats homeschooling differently but I know here is PA, many of the homeschoolers receive diplomas that are validated by the state. They do that as long as they follow the state mandated curricula.

 

[Catmyers]

CAM NEWTON ...... As long as SKAL wasn't asking he cannot control what his handler does lol

 

[Tychorz]

Gary Parish, who is pretty much on the pulse with all things memphis and has known this kid for a long time, mentioned him on his podcast. He said, in so many words, that his guardian was a real piece of crap. I think I may be putting it nicer than Gary. He said he's tried as much as possible to screw up the kids amateur status. He said he would >guess< (and he put a big emphasis on guess), that he would suit up for UK for the majority of the season and if he was ruled ineligible, it would only be for a few games.

 

[Ben101er]

Originally posted by Tychorz:
Gary Parish, who is pretty much on the pulse with all things memphis and has known this kid for a long time, mentioned him on his podcast. He said, in so many words, that his guardian was a real piece of crap. I think I may be putting it nicer than Gary. He said he's tried as much as possible to screw up the kids amateur status. He said he would >guess< (and he put a big emphasis on guess), that he would suit up for UK for the majority of the season and if he was ruled ineligible, it would only be for a few games.

Besides getting a great player, I think Cal would like nothing better than to get this kid away from the guardian's influence. I think he had the same intent with Wall. Trying to get them away from someone who wants a meal ticket, once the kid goes pro.