Wenyen says "false"

[irishcat1965]

The Kentucky Effect

Used to mean being able to get you into the 1st round, or at least the NBA in general, as quickly as possible.

Now it just means kids want the hell out as quickly as possible regardless of draft stock.

Lol

 

[irishcat1965]

So why have we had guys like Briscoe, Dakari, Lee, SKG leave/transfer when they easily could of stayed? Briscoe and Darkari both knew they weren't going to be first rounders. Hell, even the Harrison Twins, knew they weren't going 1st round and they left. Even though I agreed with them leaving when they did. You can call it an opinion but the only 2 Cal recruited guys that have made it to their Senior year were both born in this state and raised Kentucky fans. There is a cloud around this program that says if you aren't gone by your Junior year you are considered a failure. Like I said, I don't blame Cal and it's likely perpetrated by the media and other schools but it's there. I get it, you're a lawyer. You argue for the sake of arguing if things aren't 100% pro positive Cal and UK but losing the fringe guys that Cal tried to bring in for 4 years is tiring and he needs to change that.

There is also a perception Cal pays players to come here perpetrated by the media and other schools. How exactly is Cal to change that?

 

[UKGrad93]

So why have we had guys like Briscoe, Dakari, Lee, SKG leave/transfer when they easily could of stayed? Briscoe and Darkari both knew they weren't going to be first rounders. Hell, even the Harrison Twins, knew they weren't going 1st round and they left. Even though I agreed with them leaving when they did. You can call it an opinion but the only 2 Cal recruited guys that have made it to their Senior year were both born in this state and raised Kentucky fans. There is a cloud around this program that says if you aren't gone by your Junior year you are considered a failure. Like I said, I don't blame Cal and it's likely perpetrated by the media and other schools but it's there. I get it, you're a lawyer. You argue for the sake of arguing if things aren't 100% pro positive Cal and UK but losing the fringe guys that Cal tried to bring in for 4 years is tiring and he needs to change that.

I would add Poythress to the list of Cal recruits that made it to their senior year. But the point remains.

My take is that all of these guys want to play b-ball for money. Obviously an NBA contract is the best, but playing for the d or g-league or in Europe is still playing for b-ball for money. They spend one or sometimes two years in college trying to get to the NBA. After that, why not take a chance? If they stay in school, they are wasting years that could be spent playing for money (sure it's a shorter term outlook).

Add to this that there is only about a 10 yr window when they can play pro ball and the lifetime scholarship. The lifetime scholarship is a good selling point to parents of recruits, but it creates a safety net that makes it less risky to make the jump.

 

[Kats23]

There is also a perception Cal pays players to come here perpetrated by the media and other schools. How exactly is Cal to change that?

You're a lawyer. If you have a client that is charged with robbing a bank but he's innocent. He was at the bank and I get 2 people to witness he was a holding a bag of cash. Who's the jury going to believe? Perception is often reality if it's true or not.

 

[irishcat1965]

You're a lawyer. If you have a client that is charged with robbing a bank but he's innocent. He was at the bank and I get 2 people to witness he was a holding a bag of cash. Who's the jury going to believe? Perception is often reality if it's true or not.

My point. You believe all these players leave because there is some stigma about staying more than one or two years. Yet there is zero proof to back your claim. Zero. Just because that’s how you or any number of people feel about it, doesn’t change that fact there isn’t one player who has stated that is why he is leaving. The same applies to those who say Cal cheats at UK but have zero proof of it.

 

[Kats23]

I would add Poythress to the list of Cal recruits that made it to their senior year. But the point remains.

My take is that all of these guys want to play b-ball for money. Obviously an NBA contract is the best, but playing for the d or g-league or in Europe is still playing for b-ball for money. They spend one or sometimes two years in college trying to get to the NBA. After that, why not take a chance? If they stay in school, they are wasting years that could be spent playing for money (sure it's a shorter term outlook).

Add to this that there is only about a 10 yr window when they can play pro ball and the lifetime scholarship. The lifetime scholarship is a good selling point to parents of recruits, but it creates a safety net that makes it less risky to make the jump.

Forgot about Alex. I can't believe I did. I get these guys want to play for money and I can't blame them. I would too if I was in their shoes. The problem for me lately, and it's a very few kids, are the ones that can stay and work on their game and either move up to the first round or get that second contract once your first contract is done. I think as I get older, you see what future investments can do for you. Sure I can dangle $$ in front of you and you're probably going to snatch it right out of my hand. Or I can dangle $$ in front of you and say, hey let's invest this for a year and you have a better chance of getting even more money.

I think some of these fringe kids that leave hurt themselves as much as they hurt UK when they do go pro. A kid like Humphries, probably not, but if Weynan were to leave, I think he would. I think a kid like Dakari hurt himself. That's just my thought. I don't know of a solution but if I'm Cal and I want titles, which I really think he wants that 2nd title, then he better find a way.

 

[UKGrad93]

Forgot about Alex. I can't believe I did. I get these guys want to play for money and I can't blame them. I would too if I was in their shoes. The problem for me lately, and it's a very few kids, are the ones that can stay and work on their game and either move up to the first round or get that second contract once your first contract is done. I think as I get older, you see what future investments can do for you. Sure I can dangle $$ in front of you and you're probably going to snatch it right out of my hand. Or I can dangle $$ in front of you and say, hey let's invest this for a year and you have a better chance of getting even more money.

I think some of these fringe kids that leave hurt themselves as much as they hurt UK when they do go pro. A kid like Humphries, probably not, but if Weynan were to leave, I think he would. I think a kid like Dakari hurt himself. That's just my thought. I don't know of a solution but if I'm Cal and I want titles, which I really think he wants that 2nd title, then he better find a way.

Read about delayed gratification.

 

[BBUK_anon]

I would add Poythress to the list of Cal recruits that made it to their senior year. But the point remains.

My take is that all of these guys want to play b-ball for money. Obviously an NBA contract is the best, but playing for the d or g-league or in Europe is still playing for b-ball for money. They spend one or sometimes two years in college trying to get to the NBA. After that, why not take a chance? If they stay in school, they are wasting years that could be spent playing for money (sure it's a shorter term outlook).

Add to this that there is only about a 10 yr window when they can play pro ball and the lifetime scholarship. The lifetime scholarship is a good selling point to parents of recruits, but it creates a safety net that makes it less risky to make the jump.

What seems to never be added to the one or two and done equation is the life-time scholarship Cal seemed to institute. (Several of Cal's and other previous UK players are returning to take UK up on that aspect...to include the big time (Big Money) players.) Yes, I know the scholarship offer is mentioned a lot on this site but not in this context. That is also a part of the reason several seem to leave too early. They can always come back to school. That aspect has to weigh heavy into their decision making. I am sure of it.

 

[richbrookstomato]

Cal can't FORCE these kids to stay at UK.

Most of these kids have family and an entourage that are hellbent on going pro as quickly as possible. Cal ONLY forces kids to leave when they are at the pinnacle of their NBA Draft value. Those that aren't, he is upfront about what lies ahead for them and yet SOME still choose the hard route.

I realize that Cal could possibly be hesitant about recruiting those players that are not obvious OAD players, but will have one foot out the door from the time they arrive. But Cal makes ZERO qualms about what becoming a UK Wildcat entails. He makes it clear, "this isn't communism", but he also realizes the true potential in each kid.

So, it amazes me how Cal is many times considered the BAD GUY, when it is more likely that it is the kid and his entourage's decision to leave early with ZERO guarantees.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

I think someone tweeted at him " Rupps rafters is full of posters who think next year you will somehow learn to pass , rebound , not be lost on D , and discover his hoops IQ " Wenyen just answered that RR rumor . I want him back for depth and some experience but If walks he will be the least missed of the group that left ( I dont count Tai ) I'd rather have SKJ , larger upside , he actually understands the game.

 

[Catdaddygalore]

If we lose a guy to the nba or overseas that averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds that's mind boggling

But we did lose humphries & he didn’t average that. I wouldn’t blame him for wanting to take care of his family.

 

[MWes11]

SIAP

Aaron Kall: Wenyen Gabriel's brother tells @JerryTipton if projected as a first-round pick, he would probably enter the NBA draft, but if not he would return to Kentucky. Given recent draft projections, this is great news for the Wildcats

 

[BBUK_anon]

SIAP

Aaron Kall: Wenyen Gabriel's brother tells @JerryTipton if projected as a first-round pick, he would probably enter the NBA draft, but if not he would return to Kentucky. Given recent draft projections, this is great news for the Wildcats

I thought that was already dispelled as false by WG...

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

While Gabe isn't being projected in the Top 100, I do think he would play a big role on UK's team this next year.. Cal made numerous comments late in the season, that WG had finally found his role and how his confidence was so much higher than earlier in the season and his minutes went up and his role expanded proving that to be true. With his outside shot coming around, he was huge down the stretch run. I truly believe if he returns, he'll get 25 or more minutes a game and be a double digit scorer. Throw in his work ethic and knack for being in the right places on the court, and doing the dirty work, I think he would work himself into the draft next year as a late 1st rounder, early 2nd rounder, at worse. While that doesn't guarantee he will stick in the NBA, it would guarantee him a lot more money than he could expect to receive anywhere by leaving now. WG gives me the impression he's a pretty sharp guy and if he's as smart as I perceive him to be, I think he ultimately opts to return and that's the best decision he could make, imo.. I could honestly see him in the Knox role on next years team and I don't see Vandy or EJM having much impact on his minutes, because WG can play the 5, 4, 3 or even the 2 spot with his range and versatility.

You play what you can guard, when you play for Cal. Wenyen doesn't have the lateral movement to guard a 3, much less a 2.

I guess if Cal was willing to play a 2/3, Wenyen could set up on the top end of a zone and do a decent job of covering, for very limited stretches.

 

[JC CATS]

Matt Jones was wrong! Color me surprised. Probably wasn't the first time...today.

 

[Bkr5ky]

He is saying "wrong" to a decision next week!

 

[Kizzy]

If we lose a guy to the nba or overseas that averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds that's mind boggling

Already happened twice Orton, Hump

 

[katwest]

Gabriel has a chance to play in the NBA but it would be after 2 or 3 more years. Right now he is still running over people when driving and doesn't handle the ball well enough to even think about it. If you leave him open he can make some threes sometimes, but he will not be left standing there wide open in the NBA or wherever he thinks he's going. He does some things well but lacks some of the other things it takes to play in the NBA right now.