Big Z not with team

[LXWildcat]

Kentucky Basketball put out a statement saying he isn’t with the team for the game and was given extra time for him to stay in Croatia, expect him to be back next week.

Its crazy how the NCAA has no problem clearing similar players like Big Z, but since he plays for UK they are talking their time…..

 

[Smashcat]

expect him to be back next week.

Gives time for UK to confront the NCAA and ask them if he should come back or stay.

 

[JFCats22]

 

[know1]

Hmmm....

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Be surprised if he comes back tbh. Wouldn’t blame the kid.

 

[LXWildcat]

Would love to see him play at Kentucky but this team will be fine with or without him.

 

[Tida Nysage]

I’d LOVE for him to return but since he’s being treated like a big jerk off, I wouldn’t blame him if stayed home. NCAA (or whoever) has treated him like a second class citizen (not really a citizen but u know what I mean). He may be better off going a different route pursuing his dreams.

 

[know1]

Man, if he'd been eligible, he would have missed about half the games so far. He's been sick half a dozen times, too sore, visiting home, etc.

Plus he missed about half the semester of school.

 

[Bluesbrother]

Kentucky Basketball put out a statement saying he isn’t with the team for the game and was given extra time for him to stay in Croatia, expect him to be back next week.

Its crazy how the NCAA has no problem clearing similar players like Big Z, but since he plays for UK they are talking their time…..

I've also learned that "official announcements" from Cal or UK Athletics can't really be considered truth considering the amount of misinformation regarding Z throughout this fiasco. I am expecting Z to be officially off the team until I see him on the court. I would have to guess that he will not return unless he gets word that he's been cleared. He will not return to the US without a green light and I don't blame him.

 

[Bluesbrother]

View embedded media

... which is exactly the opposite of what Cal told us. Getting really tired of the bullshit surrounding Cal and UK Athletics when it comes to Big Z's status.

 

[crawfords corner]

The NCAA eligibility office is closed which is why he probably stays home a little longer. When does UK actually start classes back up if they haven't already?

 

[UKBB4Ever]

I said when he went home I would be surprised if he comes back.

I still will be. I hope I get surprised.

But it looks like he will never play for us.

 

[Fox2monk]

Kentucky Basketball put out a statement saying he isn’t with the team for the game and was given extra time for him to stay in Croatia, expect him to be back next week.

Its crazy how the NCAA has no problem clearing similar players like Big Z, but since he plays for UK they are talking their time…..

It’s crazy

 

[Mike-D]

Would love to see him play at Kentucky but this team will be fine with or without him.

Until a 7 fter gets hurt?

 

[GoCats-GoHerd88]

Sure wish the NCAA would get their head out of their rear. If he can get cleared, maybe he can come back and be a huge asset to next years team.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

The NCAA eligibility office is closed which is why he probably stays home a little longer. When does UK actually start classes back up if they haven't already?

January 8th 2024.

It always amazed me how late college spring semester started when in school. I went to mtsu in TN and we would start on a Thursday for whatever reason. Usually the Thursday before MLK day and then go 2 days and off monday.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

Anybody remember Gunther Benkhe (I believe was his name)? 7'4" German kid who was supposed to play for the Cats, but never did? Was even on campus for a bit (I remember the camera doing a crowd shot of him at one of our games; not sure if he ever enrolled). Anybody remember the story of why he didn't end up playing for us, and what his career eventually became? TIA

 

[Smashcat]

Thiero out as well.

 

[GoCats-GoHerd88]

Thiero out as well.

View embedded media

This sucks but don’t want to risk him becoming injured worse in a game where we likely won’t need him. Hopefully he's ready to go starting conference play.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Sure wish the NCAA would get their head out of their rear. If he can get cleared, maybe he can come back and be a huge asset to next years team.

I believe he probably sticks around for next season, IF we can get him cleared! He seems to love UK.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Anybody remember Gunther Benkhe (I believe was his name)? 7'4" German kid who was supposed to play for the Cats, but never did? Was even on campus for a bit (I remember the camera doing a crowd shot of him at one of our games; not sure if he ever enrolled). Anybody remember the story of why he didn't end up playing for us, and what his career eventually became? TIA

I was just looking him up today! Never even knew about this dude, until the other night, when I was watching the 1984 tournament game against Illinois. They showed him in the crowd and said he was a recruit for UK, starting in the 1985 season. Read he was here for 5 days and left because of his girlfriend. Don’t believe he ever played any ball over here in the States.

 

[$Z71$]

I believe he probably sticks around for next season, IF we can get him cleared! He seems to love UK.

He will be back for second semester, and he will play.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

He will be back for second semester, and he will play.

Hope you’re right!

 

[ukatecowboy]

Gives time for UK to confront the NCAA and ask them if he should come back or stay.

Time to confront NCAA? Kentucky should have confronted them months ago

 

[katwest]

Well, Cal said he would be back for this game, wonder what changed. We will be lucky if he comes back.

 

[kyrx]

I remember the Gunther ordeal well. He basically got homesick and left without ever playing here.

 

[Catluv]

I was just looking him up today! Never even knew about this dude, until the other night, when I was watching the 1984 tournament game against Illinois. They showed him in the crowd and said he was a recruit for UK, starting in the 1985 season. Read he was here for 5 days and left because of his girlfriend. Don’t believe he ever played any ball over here in the States.

Joe B said he came to his house and cried about his girlfriend. Joe said his wife told him he could get plenty of girlfriends at UK. He was homesick and went back to Germany.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

I remember the Gunther ordeal well. He basically got homesick and left without ever playing here.

Shame...I remember his game being described as basically a taller Bowie

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

Joe B said he came to his house and cried about his girlfriend. Joe said his wife told him he could get plenty of girlfriends at UK. He was homesick and went back to Germany.

Sounds like the UK coeds circa 85 or so dropped the ball on this one...gold digging hos must've not been as prevalent back in the day?

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Sounds like the UK coeds circa 85 or so dropped the ball on this one...gold digging hos must've not been as prevalent back in the day?

Gold digging hos have always been prevalent and aplenty!

 

[Montana81]

I think the writing is on the wall that they’re not going to clear Z. And Cal even admitted it’s an amateurism issue. And yeah it’s silly that kids in high school can make money off NIL and Z getting paid by a club overseas when he was in high school is against the rules but play for pay isn’t the same as NIL and that’s been made clear and Cal probably knew that.

I think in this instance is was low risk high reward by Cal. I don’t think taking a chance on Z hurt us.

Not like with Sharpe where we probably lost out on the kid that went to Arkansas.

 

[KYExtemper]

If we're going to get international players, we MUST do a better job getting them cleared. We mishandled this situation early on by dragging it out and now we're once again at the mercy of the NCAA. Whatever we are doing with our approach isn't working and we need to make it better.

 

[HalHR2500]

Good luck Z

 

[Montana81]

If we're going to get international players, we MUST do a better job getting them cleared. We mishandled this situation early on by dragging it out and now we're once again at the mercy of the NCAA. Whatever we are doing with our approach isn't working and we need to make it better.

I think other programs are able to get them through because they’re just not very forthcoming with all the stuff that would pertain to these kids amateur status and the ncaa isnt going to question it unless someone gives them a reason too.

Gonzaga doesn’t have to worry about a dozen sports media people trying to make a career out of writing the article that nails them or ruins a potential banner season for them. We do. So our admission office probably feels more pressure than most of make sure they’ve submitted every thing. Cal is probably especially paranoid after the Derek Rose stuff and i don’t blame him.

 

[ruppcat]

Again, you were the loser who shoehorned it into the conversation. Now you’re projecting. Classic…

Dude....I was commenting on how it'd be easier for Z to get here.

It's called a joke...humor....comedy.

Apparently it's over your head.

Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the game. You shouldn't allow your liberal leanings to allow yourself to be so easily triggered on a basketball forum.

 

[BigKari]

Dude....I was commenting on how it'd be easier for Z to get here.

It's called a joke...humor....comedy.

Apparently it's over your head.

Now, sit back, relax and enjoy the game. You shouldn't allow your liberal leanings to allow yourself to be so easily triggered on a basketball forum.

Z isn’t having problems gaining entry into the States, so your “joke” was just a really lame shoehorning of a racist dog whistle. It just doesn’t have a place on this board. Keep it about basketball if you want me to keep it about basketball.

Loser.

 

[ruppcat]

Z isn’t having problems gaining entry into the States, so your “joke” was just a really lame shoehorning of a racist dog whistle. It just doesn’t have a place on this board. Keep it about basketball if you want me to keep it about basketball.

Loser.

Dang.....what a limited mind you have.

The Cats won....it's a good night.

Relax....it's just a chat page. Is your life that empty you get so easily triggered?? Must suck to be you.

 

[ganner918]

Dang.....what a limited mind you have.

The Cats won....it's a good night.

Relax....it's just a chat page. Is your life that empty you get so easily triggered?? Must suck to be you.

lol, what a loser

 

[bbncal02]

Damn you NCAA

 

[JonathanW]

The NCAA eligibility office is closed which is why he probably stays home a little longer. When does UK actually start classes back up if they haven't already?

Most schools will start up that 2nd week of January