No problem. Had to look it up myself as I knew he wasn't Ky born but couldn't remember the details.
Best KHSAA Center to Sign with UK?
- Thread starter FtWorthCat
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Im my lifetime it would have to be Turpin. He made a surprise visit to my 5th grade class as a classmate of mine had a Sister who went to UK and somehow got him to come see us. I was awestruck. I remember Mel having a fabulous alley oop vs Tennessee that brought me off my beanbag chair. That play has always been stuck in my brain.
Jason Parker who was in reality about 6-6 260 and had huge hands was from Charlotte, North Carolina. I lived in a apartment complex across the street from his booth call. I seen Prince, Bogans and Fitch all over their hanging out at different times.
I think Moreno is going to be a really good player for us and stay probably 3 years. Can you imagine a core of KY kids in a couple years with Perry, Noah and Moreno leading us. By then the brand of Pope will be established and he could probably have his pick of frosh or transfer's playing beside them.
I think Moreno is going to be a really good player for us and stay probably 3 years. Can you imagine a core of KY kids in a couple years with Perry, Noah and Moreno leading us. By then the brand of Pope will be established and he could probably have his pick of frosh or transfer's playing beside them.
Tom Payne was loaded with potential, but obviously too many issues to succeed.
Unfortunately we'll never get to compare Moreno to Turpin or Estill for 2 simple reasons.
1) If he actually showed that kind of potential, we'll only have him 1-2 yrs. Making comparisons very difficult with the mature players we saw in Mel and Estill.
2) The game has changed so much, Moreno is going to be asked to play more like Bowie, or AD. Open floor players. Because that's where the game has gone. Our top 2 KY kids were more traditional, low block scorers. How do you really make those comparisons?
Unfortunately we'll never get to compare Moreno to Turpin or Estill for 2 simple reasons.
1) If he actually showed that kind of potential, we'll only have him 1-2 yrs. Making comparisons very difficult with the mature players we saw in Mel and Estill.
2) The game has changed so much, Moreno is going to be asked to play more like Bowie, or AD. Open floor players. Because that's where the game has gone. Our top 2 KY kids were more traditional, low block scorers. How do you really make those comparisons?
I was at the 66 tournament.Dave was fast and could really move around bigger slower players,also had good shooting range,good passer and good basketball IQ.I had not even heard of him before the tourny.
Yes ... I'm old enough to remember Cowens from high school. I graduated from high school in 1965 ... and I don't remember ever hearing anything about Cowens until his last year at FSU. Heard a lot about him, of course, when he was with the Celtics.
Cowens gave an interview after he retired in which he said (a) his father wanted him to go to U.K.; (b) he [Dave] "wasn't sure how he would measure up" at U.K.; and, (c) he wanted to get as much college playing time as he could get, as quickly as he could get it. He certainly was successful about "(c)" !
Almost 17 pts/game. Three games over 30 pts, including 39 vs LSU, in his only year in college.
The thread is about best high school signee from KY, not best moral fiber.
Dinner Bell Mel Turpin and it is not even close. IF Mel could have controlled his urge to eat, he would have been a great NBA guy. He just could not do it. He and Bowie were so good to watch. Mel battled. Mel had a shot from 12 feet in and was good defender and above average rebounder. Thing is Mel had NBA body in high school. Just needed to turn his baby fat into muscle. Halls weight program did good with Mel but again having to post guards at his door to stop him from eating night and day, all the while him getting food from his window. He thought it was a game but it is just as hard a battle for some with food as it is for others with Booze or smokes.
Yeah .
I remember seeing him at the 16th regional tournament in Morehead in 1969.
I believe he was a hsaa.
Yep! Harry Todd, 6' 9" center who played in the mid 50's in the western part of the state ( Etherington HS ?). He started for Western Ky for 3 years and played in the NBA with the Hawks. He held several national HS records for several years. He wanted to go to UK but Rupp unintentionally pissed off his Dad when he came to Harry's home to recruit him. Harry had a showcase in his home in which several of his trophies and awards were displayed. Upon seeing them Rupp told Harry's dad you can just put those away since they are HS awards and have little significance once he enters college. Harry's Dad, being a proud father, was insulted by this remark and urged Harry to go play for Ed Diddle at Western Ky which he did. I know this story is true because Sgt Major Harry Todd told this story to me in person at Ft Mcpherson, Ga in 1974 while both of us were on active duty. Harry had a distinguished 30 year Army career retiring as a Sgt Major, the highest enlisted grade.
Interesting, Harry Todd was Mr. Basketball at Earlington (now part of Hopkins County Central) in 1958, and was a repeat first team all-State first team player from 1957 and 1956. Not many three time first team all-state players in KHSAA history. Earlington made the Sweet 16 his sophomore year in 1956, but didn't get out of the district either of his last two years. (Source: Kentucky High School Basketball Encyclopedia by Jeff Bridgeman)
Payne was a national-level stud coming out of high school, and he put up good numbers in his only season of varsity play for UK. Lot of stupid decisions off and on the court. My memory is he briefly played for the Catbirds while he was out in the mid-80’s?
That’s a vast understatement. Payne’s issues went well beyond "stupid" and into downright evil.
But, yeah, in terms of how they were regarded as a prospect, he probably is the correct answer. As I understand, Payne was being hyped as Wilt-like physical specimen. 7'2" of chiseled muscle and elite athleticism. His potential appeared limitless. If only he wasn't a monster...
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