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Shocking statement from Lonnie Walker

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baboo

Freshman
Jul 11, 2001
225
92
0
A new interview with Lonnie Walker has him commenting on each of his top 5. With regard to UK, Walker says

"Being a NBA player is not really on my mind really."

This confirms what I've reported before, namely that Walker would certainly like to play in the NBA, but he's not focused on that the way other top recruits are. He has other goals he wants to achieve. He goes on to add about Coach Cal:

"I feel like he can bring out something special in me, maybe a different line that I didn’t know of and if I was to go there maybe, hopefully get to the pros, everyone’s dream, and Kentucky can do that."

It's up to Coach Cal to help Lonnie find the NBA dream he didn't even know he had. This kid is just different.
 
B

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Ben101er said:
How can he say that going to the NBA is not on his mind, when he says in the next breath that it is everyone's dream? Sounds like a little misdirection to me.
Click to expand...

Ever talk to a HS student? Say one thing, then turn around and say the exact opposite. This is pretty normal.

As a teacher, here is my daily conversation with them.

Student: "Why is my grade low, I always turn in my work."

Me: "You didn't turn in assignments 1, 2, 3, and 4."

Student: "Oh, yeah, I forgot about those. I never turn stuff in."
 
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wcc31

wcc31

Heisman
Mar 18, 2002
26,938
88,440
98
baboo said:
A new interview with Lonnie Walker has him commenting on each of his top 5. With regard to UK, Walker says

"Being a NBA player is not really on my mind really."

This confirms what I've reported before, namely that Walker would certainly like to play in the NBA, but he's not focused on that the way other top recruits are. He has other goals he wants to achieve. He goes on to add about Coach Cal:

"I feel like he can bring out something special in me, maybe a different line that I didn’t know of and if I was to go there maybe, hopefully get to the pros, everyone’s dream, and Kentucky can do that."

It's up to Coach Cal to help Lonnie find the NBA dream he didn't even know he had. This kid is just different.
Click to expand...

[eyeroll] Have you ever followed recruiting before? The kids are probably the worst people to try to get information from. Take it all with a grain of salt.
 
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A

akaukswoosh

Hall of Famer
Jan 14, 2006
80,602
123,655
93
baboo said:
A new interview with Lonnie Walker has him commenting on each of his top 5. With regard to UK, Walker says

"Being a NBA player is not really on my mind really."

This confirms what I've reported before, namely that Walker would certainly like to play in the NBA, but he's not focused on that the way other top recruits are. He has other goals he wants to achieve. He goes on to add about Coach Cal:

"I feel like he can bring out something special in me, maybe a different line that I didn’t know of and if I was to go there maybe, hopefully get to the pros, everyone’s dream, and Kentucky can do that."

It's up to Coach Cal to help Lonnie find the NBA dream he didn't even know he had. This kid is just different.
Click to expand...
Well if he comes here, maybe Cal won't push him out the door after his frosh season.[winking]
 
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J

JonathanW_rivals

Heisman
Jan 3, 2003
145,534
15,709
0
Ben101er said:
How can he say that going to the NBA is not on his mind, when he says in the next breath that it is everyone's dream? Sounds like a little misdirection to me.
Click to expand...

Just saying what he thinks people want to hear, that he's not focused on the NBA. Think OP is reading to much into it.
 
B

baboo

Freshman
Jul 11, 2001
225
92
0
Ben101er said:
How can he say that going to the NBA is not on his mind, when he says in the next breath that it is everyone's dream? Sounds like a little misdirection to me.
Click to expand...

Ben101er,

Like I said, I think he would definitely like to play in the NBA and he knows that Cal is the best one to get him there, but it's not his top priority. When he says "it's everyone's dream," I think he means that everyone knows the NBA is a great goal to have. But for a long time he never really thought that dream was attainable for him and he's been planning other things for his life. Well, those plans don't evaporate or become irrelevant just because everyone's telling him he has NBA ability. That's how I interpret it. The statement was shocking to me only because I didn't expect him to be so upfront about the NBA issue.
 
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C

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
They're young kids still in high school. They get asked all the time about where they are going, what they are looking for, etc. Under constant scrutiny for everything they say. That's a lot of pressure for a 18 year old kid.
I sure wouldn't have wanted everything I said at 18 to have been published.
 
M

mebeblue2

Heisman
Dec 20, 2009
98,152
10,574
0
baboo said:
Ben101er,

Like I said, I think he would definitely like to play in the NBA and he knows that Cal is the best one to get him there, but it's not his top priority. When he says "it's everyone's dream," I think he means that everyone knows the NBA is a great goal to have. But for a long time he never really thought that dream was attainable for him and he's been planning other things for his life. Well, those plans don't evaporate or become irrelevant just because everyone's telling him he has NBA ability. That's how I interpret it. The statement was shocking to me only because I didn't expect him to be so upfront about the NBA issue.
Click to expand...

the only reason you are shocked is because you have never really followed recruiting
these young men say a lot of things just to appease whomever is asking the questions
 
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LeonThe Camel

Senior
May 3, 2016
1,896
717
0
So we are supposed to be impressed with a HS kid making certain statements, then the rest of the thread is about how HS students never know what they are really saying.
:confused:
 
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Ron Mehico

Heisman
Jan 4, 2008
15,473
33,054
0
Its just a dumb statement by a kid. Think how ridiculous this sounds:

"So you're being recruited to come to Harvard and Yale for a full ride in academics, what are you thinking about your career choice?"

"Well I never really thought about getting a job after college, getting a job has never really been on my mind"
 
C

Cat Ballou

All-Conference
Mar 23, 2007
5,234
4,502
0
Shocking thing about Walker is that after being a supposed Nova lock, there is suddenly huge buzz that he is going to Arizona. WTH.

Arizona is his first official. Beginning to wonder if he'll even make the UK visit.
 
jrpross_rivals

jrpross_rivals

Heisman
Feb 21, 2008
17,553
36,086
113
Eh. Sounds like he's just not focusing on it right now. He's aware of it but just thinking about enjoying his time being a kid. I got no problem with that. I just hope he remembers it for his future and makes the smart decision. I think he ends up at Nova but you never know.
 
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GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
You can start all the threads you want, Nova fan, but they ultimately won't make a difference. You sound like you're trying to convince yourself as much as you are us.
 
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GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
You can start all the threads you want, Nova fan, but they ultimately won't make a difference. You sound like you're trying to convince yourself as much as you are us.
 
W

westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
0
I remember when I was 18 years old. We say dumb things and do some dumb things :smiley: but Uncle Sam came calling and I grew up in a hurry. Would love to see Walker at UK.
 
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B

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Walker will likely put his other plans on hold until after a NBA career. He will likely still be 30 something when he finishes and be set for life financially, if things work out and he plans wisely. Then he can go back to school and become whatever he wants to be.

That just makes the most sense to me.
 
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Cat Ballou

All-Conference
Mar 23, 2007
5,234
4,502
0
Now Jerry Meyer is calling Walker to Zona. Looks like it's Miller that is now reaping the rewards of his Team USA associations.
 
M

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,171
0
baboo said:
Ben101er,

Like I said, I think he would definitely like to play in the NBA and he knows that Cal is the best one to get him there, but it's not his top priority. When he says "it's everyone's dream," I think he means that everyone knows the NBA is a great goal to have. But for a long time he never really thought that dream was attainable for him and he's been planning other things for his life. Well, those plans don't evaporate or become irrelevant just because everyone's telling him he has NBA ability. That's how I interpret it. The statement was shocking to me only because I didn't expect him to be so upfront about the NBA issue.
Click to expand...

Well now that he's an NBA prospect the ball game completely changes, for him and his family.

Never listen to 16 and 17 yr olds during an interview. Lots of times they're told to talk about "education" and are coached to sound like they really care. If you don't think multi million dollar contracts are on his mind, you're naive.
 
J

JayCatz44

Heisman
May 14, 2003
20,373
15,300
113
Cat Ballou said:
Now Jerry Meyer is calling Walker to Zona. Looks like it's Miller that is now reaping the rewards of his Team USA associations.
Click to expand...
They just landed SG Randolph. I'll be surprised if they land Walker too. Either way, UK will have a great class. Arizona does less with more.
 
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WildcatfaninOhio

WildcatfaninOhio

Heisman
May 22, 2002
18,361
15,765
113
JayCatz44 said:
They just landed SG Randolph. I'll be surprised if they land Walker too. Either way, UK will have a great class. Arizona does less with more.
Click to expand...

Damn it! I was super-impressed with Brandon Randolph after watching him play with Bamba's HS team, and with Bamba and Green on AAU team. That kid is going to be special. I was hoping UK might show some interest. I'll watch 'Zona next year just to see that kid play.
 
M

Montana81

Heisman
Aug 12, 2004
82,726
29,410
113
And can you imagine, if Calipari were given a spot in USA basketball, even as an assistant?

His recruiting would go from the best in the game to other coaches just not even bothering anymore.
 
G

GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
irishcat1965 said:
Get back to me when Sean Miller does something in the NCAA tournament besides sweat completely through his shirts.
Click to expand...

To be fair, losing in the elite 8 a few times to better teams isn't exactly underachieving. Miller gets an unfair reputation, in my opinion.
 
W

wildcat1515

All-Conference
Feb 7, 2006
5,413
2,901
113
I'm sure these kids talk to a million people asking them about their college choices. They are probably running out of things to say.
 
J

Jakarii

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2016
4,640
3,048
0
Lol. I always laugh when people believe this, Duke fans use to be the main culprits when their Top freshmen talent would say something like this and add "I want to get a degree and might stay four years". This is equivalent to them saying "i'll turn down that lotto ticket and come back and work another year or two".
 
K

KMKAT

All-Conference
Sep 17, 2003
94,731
2,957
50
Sure sounds like having both a public and private opinion.

Even adults play this game and try to become a dictator.
 
U

Ukbrassowtipin

Heisman
Aug 12, 2011
82,232
90,160
113
Lol. I would just say that to be professional and get interest from as many schools as possible. Are people just now following recruit comments. I mean off the top of my head I can remember the twins talking about going together to play 4 years. Did you believe that?
 
irishcat1965

irishcat1965

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
20,481
43,359
113
GonzoCat90 said:
To be fair, losing in the elite 8 a few times to better teams isn't exactly underachieving. Miller gets an unfair reputation, in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I didn't say he wasn't a good coach. But an elite coach takes that next step. Like Cal did in 2011 and 2014 when he clearly didn't have the best team in the sweet 16 or final 8 those years.
 
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B

baboo

Freshman
Jul 11, 2001
225
92
0
mebeblue2 said:
the only reason you are shocked is because you have never really followed recruiting
these young men say a lot of things just to appease whomever is asking the questions
Click to expand...

mebe,

I don't think appeasement is going on here. The reason is that I've been hearing from sources close to the Walker family that he has other priorities. I reported that multiple times on this board over the last month. Now he's saying it publically. This appears to be what he really thinks. But again, it doesn't mean that he isn't interested in the NBA, or that UK is out of the running. It might mean, though, that his recruitment might need a slightly different approach from most elite kids.
 
M

mebeblue2

Heisman
Dec 20, 2009
98,152
10,574
0
baboo said:
mebe,

I don't think appeasement is going on here. The reason is that I've been hearing from sources close to the Walker family that he has other priorities. I reported that multiple times on this board over the last month. Now he's saying it publically. This appears to be what he really thinks. But again, it doesn't mean that he isn't interested in the NBA, or that UK is out of the running. It might mean, though, that his recruitment might need a slightly different approach from most elite kids.
Click to expand...

man don't buy what you hear from sources saying he has "other priorties"
we have seen this song-and-dance played many many times
IMHO, he does not end up at UK
but regardless of which school he picks, if he is a high-mid first round pick, he is gone.........so much for those "other priorities"

keep following recruiting closely and you will see what many of us are telling you
 
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