Skj transferrin

struggler

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Jan 23, 2013
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I don't think Cal has anything to do with this. The players that come here know Cal is going to continue to recruit the best of the best, They almost all state when they sign with Kentucky that they are looking to forward to practicing against the best players in the country.

While I hate to see Sacha go & like a lot of others on here I think he should of been starting over Richards, Him transferring is his choice I guess he didn't want to compete for playing time.
agree to a point... but the concept of disposable players and coaches and schools is bad. creates an atmosphere of discontent with the least bit of adversity. I agree it should be a personal decision and if this was his - great. I also know some "no win" situations are created beyond the scope of influence of the player and you are told you will not play. I read an article calling out Duke for this related to Duval this AM about it as well. I guess just the nature of the beast - still just don't feel like he got a complete fair shake - or was discontent for some personal reason. Just a personal opinion. Either way - he's gone and I wish him well. And I want UK stronger than ever - but doing it with some level of integrity.
 

docholiday51

Heisman
Oct 19, 2001
22,011
26,718
0
It is possible but I would be shocked if we lost PJ or Vanderbilt. They would definitely be listening to the wrong advice if so
They are likely to return,but if you add Gabriel to that group I think we keep only 2 of the 3 at best.
 
Sep 13, 2003
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This is the exact reason he is transferring though. He probably understands at this point that the NBA is a long shot for him. His two options were to continue at U.K. while being recruited over and share a majority of the minutes or transfer somewhere he would be a starter and a main option on the team instead of a cog in the machine. Might as well live out his glory years of basketball and get as many minutes as he possible while he still has some time left in college. It's unfortunate for us because he is the type of player we need to build continuity, stability, and leadership but we just can't retain those types of players. The straw that broke the camels back was the recruitment of EJ. That sent the message to SKJ that Cal didn't have enough trust in him to be a main option next year even though he would be a Junior. That would've resulted in EJ getting more minutes than SKJ throughout the regular season in order to try and reach EJ's maximum potential come March. It's a lose lose situation and I'm not quite sure how we get out of it.

THIS!!!

I will just add that if Cal thought that Sacha was a better option than Montgomery, he would NOT have offered him a scholly. So, if Cal didn't think a junior SKJ was his best option, why do posters on this board think he would be?
 
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caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
The full court press on EJ was in direct correlation to SKJ wanting to transfer. Cal has known this for over a week now and most say SKJ transferring was a few months in the making. SKJ transferring due to the commitment of EJ isn't true. It was the other way around.
Yep it makes complete sense now. You need 5 big men to be great IMO . 4 can be done but 5 is best case. PJ/JV/WG/Richards and EJ . SKJ was going to be 6th and the 6th big man doesn't play much.
 

MWes11

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
12,025
10,106
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Obviously you don't follow closely during the year. Cal has a shorter leash on certain players. SKJ and Humphries are two that stick out in my mind. Any little mistake he would send them to the bench and keep them there. Of course they want to transfer and that's fine, until February when we are losing a lot of games due to inexperience and this boards is in shambles.
How is that different than any other coach in D1 basketball? Every player is treated differently. It's just how it is. Cal is no different in that aspect than any other coach. If you have played competitive team sports on any level, you should know this. If you don't know that, I'm not sure what to tell you. Hasn't Cal's track record since he has been here given you enough evidence to have faith in him? Just sounds like you want something to ***** about and this is giving you your avenue.
 
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MdWIldcat55

Heisman
Dec 9, 2007
21,271
84,839
113
I'm really sorry to see him go. A lot of potential that never seemed to gell. I suspect folks from UNC-CHEATS have been in his ear.
I guess we'll never know what happened in his freshman year. He had his chances in his sophomore year. When I try to remember a moment when he had an important impact on a game, I can't come up with one. Some individual plays. But not a sustained impact.

I wish him well anywhere but UNC-CHEATS.

By the way, one of the ongoing guessing games at RR is figuring out the trolls from the chicken littles. Go see who posted ON THIS THREAD but didn't post ON THE EJ COMMITS THREAD. Those are 100 percent your trolls.
 

Fawrules

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2009
3,457
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Haha, man, leave it to this board to have you going from being excited to hear that your team beat out your biggest recruiting rival for a McDonald's All American one minute, to feeling pessimistic the next.

Way to kill the mood, you guys. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
 

morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,170
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Put me in the camp that's doesn't care this particular time. SKJ should have been a 3 star. He simply isn't that good. I'm not convinced another year playing behind guys would help. He's been recruited over, which is part of Cals job; great coaches recruit over overrated or average players. Just part of it.
 
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caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
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LOL at the people blaming Cal.

You're right.. we should have rescinded the offer for EJ and played SKJ instead...
I know you joking but if anyone feels that way truly I would ask they pee in a cup as they must be on drugs and not the non harmful kind ( pot). SKJ is the only big man who is not being eyed by the NBA on our roster .
 

Fawrules

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2009
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I'm really sorry to see him go. A lot of potential that never seemed to gell. I suspect folks from UNC-CHEATS have been in his ear.
I guess we'll never know what happened in his freshman year. He had his chances in his sophomore year. When I try to remember a moment when he had an important impact on a game, I can't come up with one. Some individual plays. But not a sustained impact.

I wish him well anywhere but UNC-CHEATS.

Anywhere but Louisville, Duke, UNC or Kansas and I'll be rooting for him.
 

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
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Why anyone who is not a top 15 recruit would want to play for Cal is beyond me. Unless you are an instant star like Alexander you know your are going to be recruited over and lose minutes to them.
As compared to not getting talent. Sure playing the lesser players makes a TON of sense. LOL. I get what you are saying but that means UK is big time. Under Tubby or BCG SKJ would of been the best big man of the roster . Nuff said . On our roster next season he would of been the 11th or 12th man ( he and Baker ) .
 
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Looksbetterinblue

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Mar 25, 2018
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You don’t think this culture of “if I’m not a star after two years transfer or go pro somewhere” isn’t a negative thing??

Too funny. Easy answer is simply “no”. It didn’t work out for him. Nothing more nothing less. If he was better he would play more. If he thought he would get better he wouldn’t mind who was coming. I wish him the best an d appreciate all he has done for us. UK is not for everyone.
 

KDCats11

All-Conference
Mar 9, 2008
19,705
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Hate this. I'd rather have the JR SKJ, than the FR EJM.
I wouldn't. EJ is far more skilled and will help the team far beyond anything SKJ would do. I'm truly puzzled by our fan base's instant overhyping of SKJ. He was a decent role player but not a guy you want to rely on.
 

SemperFiCat

Heisman
Mar 2, 2009
14,566
30,005
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Put me in the camp that's doesn't care this particular time. SKJ should have been a 3 star. He simply isn't that good. I'm not convinced another year playing behind guys he's been recruited over would help.
I agree, but maybe with a few more of Richards' min, SKJ could've been a valuable 4 year guy. I'd argue NR didn't show me anything more than SKJ yet Cal stuck with him like glue. SKJ actually showed improvement while NR literally regressed.
 

docholiday51

Heisman
Oct 19, 2001
22,011
26,718
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Put me in the camp that's doesn't care this particular time. SKJ should have been a 3 star. He simply isn't that good. I'm not convinced another year playing behind guys would help. He's been recruited over, which is part of Cals job; great coaches recruit over overrated or average players. Just part of it.
Would you take soph Richards over Jr SKJ?
 
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carl

Junior
Feb 2, 2007
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Careful here I got skewered for asking this question a few days ago. Thread got deleted hum. I guess now the good posters have to go back to bashing cal.
 

CatColumbia

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Apr 19, 2014
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How is that different than any other coach in D1 basketball? Every player is treated differently. It's just how it is. Cal is no different in that aspect than any other coach. If you have played competitive team sports on any level, you should know this. If you don't know that, I'm not sure what to tell you. Hasn't Cal's track record since he has been here given you enough evidence to have faith in him? Just sounds like you want something to ***** about and this is giving you your avenue.

I trust in Cal to give us a fighting chance. Not sure if I believe that he will get us another ship. Losing players with experience that have potential is a big deal. I'll see you in February when you will be bItching about our struggles due to lack of experience.
 

brianpoe

Heisman
Mar 25, 2009
27,769
21,825
113
This is the crap that has to stop under Cal

Keep laughing. We will never win another title with Cal with this crap happening. I’m sure you thought no way Jones would leave just like you think Green won’t.





I dont know all of the aspects into SKJ transferring.

I will say if it is based solely on not wanting to compete for a spot then I can't pat him on the back and wish him well.

This is UK, earn your spot.


The bright side of things, perhaps he knows that PJ, JV and WG will return. That is a bunch of talent at the 4/5 spots along with Richards and EJ.

So thats good. But SKJ is a junior and should be ready for that battle.... smh.



To my friends above of which I quoted.

Let's put this into perspective.

Our #1 Rival Duke has had 10 transfers since Cal has been here. We have had 5 1/2. (Sorry, I'm not sure I'll ever get over the Harrow saga)
 

ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk

All-Conference
Feb 20, 2007
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This sucks big time. I really loved the maturation of his game and wanted to continue to see him grow.

Fact is, he should’ve gotten more minutes than Richards. He was better.

Just like Matthews, this is a tough transfer to take.
 

USMC Cat_rivals309254

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Jun 24, 2009
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I know you joking but if anyone feels that way truly I would ask they pee in a cup as they must be on drugs and not the non harmful kind ( pot). SKJ is the only big man who is not being eyed by the NBA on our roster .

Clearly, there are some in this thread who believe that is the route we should take.

Just for the sake of having older players on the roster.
 

FrankUnderwood

Heisman
May 26, 2017
15,912
27,971
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Like Cal can stop a dude from transferring. That would look good for future recruiting. Headlines like “Calipari won’t grant release for SKJ. Forced to return.” Rival recruiters would be slobbering all over themselves, and Jeff Goodman would have that 3 gerbils look.


Agreed 100%. Plus him immediately saying that/ phrasing it that way made him look petulant and whiny.
 
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bigblue1971

All-American
Dec 20, 2014
2,568
5,161
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You think we lose 6 to the NBA off sweet 16 team?
Really? You don't think its totally possible that Diallo and Vanderbilt go to the NBA and Wenyen goes overseas or G league? If PJ has a good combine he's gone too.
 

westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
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Richards was better and it wasn’t really close. SKJ was never as good as many on here made him out to be. Losing him does hurt this team much if at all.

I disagree. Jones was getting better and I thought he was better than Richards at the end of this season. Hate to see SKJ leave but hope the best for him. Going to be interesting to see where he ends up at.
 

CalipariCapo

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Feb 25, 2018
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Not surprised. Senior day does not exist for us.
Do I think this is a blow? Yes. This proves to me that Cal's philosophy has not changed.
I think Cal's recruiting philosophy has changed but you can't change a culture overnight. It's going to take time but Coach has been in on a lot more 4 stars recently. We may see a scholarship senior in the next 6 years.
 

MWes11

Heisman
Apr 22, 2012
12,025
10,106
0
I trust in Cal to give us a fighting chance. Not sure if I believe that he will get us another ship. Losing players with experience that have potential is a big deal. I'll see you in February when you will be bItching about our struggles due to lack of experience.
We will struggle then. Just like every team struggles during the year. But I hope you bring your *** back when we make our deep tournament run like we do more often than not.
 
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Chuckinden

All-American
Jun 12, 2006
18,991
5,900
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You can't blame Cal for this and I don't blame Jones for moving on. It's the system we have now. OAD's that can't get to the pros the first year turn into Two and Dones by way of tf. Recruiting elite players every year is a double edged sword, but under the system, I wouldn't have it any other way and I loathe the OAD.

Now, who's next to leave. IMO, I'll be pleasantly shocked if SGA doesn't leave and who knows regarding Green, PJ and Diallo. I can't see Wenyan going anywhere. Richards is going to have to work really hard to get better and I'm not sure he has the work ethic it's gonna take.

The only sure bet is Brad will stay. :)
 
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morgousky

Heisman
Sep 5, 2009
23,959
43,170
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I dont know all of the aspects into SKJ transferring.

I will say if it is based solely on not wanting to compete for a spot then I can't pat him on the back and wish him well.

This is UK, earn your spot.


The bright side of things, perhaps he knows that PJ, JV and WG will return. That is a bunch of talent at the 4/5 spots along with Richards and EJ.

So thats good. But SKJ is a junior and should be ready for that battle.... smh.



To my friends above of which I quoted.

Let's put this into perspective.

Our #1 Rival Duke has had 10 transfers since Cal has been here. We have had 5 1/2. (Sorry, I'm not sure I'll ever get over the Harrow saga)

SKJ is approaching Pilgrim status here. I see nothing wrong with Cal recruiting over SKJ. I actually wanted it to happen and stated it over a month ago.

SKJ was never going to produce here.

Now if JV, PJ, Gabriel, or Green leave I will have problems with Cal.
 

kybassfan

Heisman
Jul 1, 2005
20,032
16,368
113
I dont know all of the aspects into SKJ transferring.

I will say if it is based solely on not wanting to compete for a spot then I can't pat him on the back and wish him well.

This is UK, earn your spot.

THIS!!

Earn your spot. If that was involved, this it explains a lot about SKJ. We do NOT take turns here. You want to succeed, you must do it among the best.
 
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Looksbetterinblue

All-Conference
Mar 25, 2018
1,084
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Even those on this board we’re trying to figure out how the minutes break down. SKJ did the same math and didn’t like the answer and chose to try something different. That’s ok and probably will work out for him. They only get one shot to at this and asking him to stay so we have 5 more fouls or a good backup isn’t realistic or fair to him. Thank him for all he has done and wish him well.
 
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LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,857
60,905
113
Not thrilled to hear this. I still think Cal has favored his freshman a bit too much. Had we lessened the leash on Hump and SKJ to start, both might have been further a long, to a point where Cal could probably guarantee them a good number of minutes..

But, instead, they were benched too quickly for inexperienced mistakes. They weren't able to grow as much, play through a bad day, and their confidence took a hit.

It had to be frustrating for SKJ to see Calipari stick with Richards night in and night out, despite his own struggles. How do you NOT look at other options when that happens?

I'm not fully against giving the elite freshman more minutes. That's how this whole thing works. But I do think it needs to be re-balanced, IMO. The lesser recruits and returnees still need reps, where as Richards should have seen lesser minutes earlier in SEC play.
 

docholiday51

Heisman
Oct 19, 2001
22,011
26,718
0
Yes. Never saw much in SKJ. Always wondered why anyone was high on him. Lost 90% of the time, bad defense, and has a jump shot that rarely goes in.

It's a false choice anyway. EJ replaced him, and I'll take that all day.
False choice probably but may have figured in the decision by SKJ,just wondered ,we see that the same way.
 
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JC43

All-Conference
Oct 6, 2006
3,807
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Hopefully Bennet takes him back...just haven't seen from SKJ any defensive game at all, off a year, gets stronger and pay with Jerome and Kyle their senior yr? I hope so for Sascha. Hate that he left, not buying he was forced out at all. Seems like his 'circle' wanted this for him
 
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brianpoe

Heisman
Mar 25, 2009
27,769
21,825
113
We will struggle then. Just like every team struggles during the year. But I hope you bring your *** back when we make our deep tournament run like we do more often than not.


I can vouch @CatColumbia he will be here.

He is not a pumper by any means and a bit more on the cynical side, but he is rarely overboard on his opinions, and definitley a long time big blue fan.