This is will be an unpopular opinion, but I've never understood the massive anger towards Cal regarding his handling of the Shaedon Sharpe situation. It's an unfortunate situation all around. I'm just as frustrated as everyone else that Sharpe will never step foot on the floor in a Kentucky uniform. But this is not all on Coach Cal, and the outcome ultimately would've been the same had Sharpe enrolled at any other school.
Sharpe and his parents pushed the narrative that he would return to Kentucky next season and stood firm on that position from the moment he enrolled early. That was always the plan (at least that's what they said.) Yes, Cal reaffirmed their position and led us to believe Sharpe would be back next year. It seems fans are most frustrated with Cal's reaffirmation. But who's to say Cal knew all along that Sharp would depart after not playing a single second for Kentucky? I simply do not believe that. In fact, there were questions surrounding Sharpe's eligibility for the NBA draft before he decided to enroll at Kentucky. Cal may have been naïve (and maybe I am too) and might deserve some criticism for that, but he didn't blatantly lie to our fanbase. In what way does that benefit Cal? It doesn't, and the "Cal only cares about the NBA and doesn't care about Kentucky" argument is an emotional one. If Cal could have played Sharpe this season, he would've. But that was never the expectation nor was it an option, frankly. He brought the kid here hoping that he would learn the system early, get a head start on strength and conditioning, and be the superstar the Cats need to win a national title next season.
Even if Cal knew Sharpe might not return to Kentucky next year, what do you propose he should've done? He couldn't have betrayed the family's wishes by playing Sharpe - for obvious reasons. He would've been foolish to publicly contradict what Sharpe's parents/camp said about the plan to return next season. Should Cal have pushed Sharpe out the door, telling him to find another program or wait until next season? Absolutely not. That would've forfeited Kentucky's chances, however great or slim, to land a potential program-changing talent. If the kid is as good as advertised, you absolutely HAVE to take him and hope he stays true to his word. Fans have blasted Cal for his recent inability to pull in top prospects. Sharpe was the #1 recruit in the 2022 class and the potential #1 pick in the 2023 draft. How upset would we all have been if Cal had let him walk knowing there's a possibility he could go play for, say, Kansas (one of the schools he considered)? What happened is unfortunate, but it seems Cal found himself in a lose-lose situation.
Don't get me wrong. I'm as frustrated as anyone with Cal's lack of production over the last 5 or so years. Things need to change and they need to change quickly. The Sharpe situation sucks and it will be hard to fill his shoes next season. But Cal is not to blame for what happened IMO.
Sharpe and his parents pushed the narrative that he would return to Kentucky next season and stood firm on that position from the moment he enrolled early. That was always the plan (at least that's what they said.) Yes, Cal reaffirmed their position and led us to believe Sharpe would be back next year. It seems fans are most frustrated with Cal's reaffirmation. But who's to say Cal knew all along that Sharp would depart after not playing a single second for Kentucky? I simply do not believe that. In fact, there were questions surrounding Sharpe's eligibility for the NBA draft before he decided to enroll at Kentucky. Cal may have been naïve (and maybe I am too) and might deserve some criticism for that, but he didn't blatantly lie to our fanbase. In what way does that benefit Cal? It doesn't, and the "Cal only cares about the NBA and doesn't care about Kentucky" argument is an emotional one. If Cal could have played Sharpe this season, he would've. But that was never the expectation nor was it an option, frankly. He brought the kid here hoping that he would learn the system early, get a head start on strength and conditioning, and be the superstar the Cats need to win a national title next season.
Even if Cal knew Sharpe might not return to Kentucky next year, what do you propose he should've done? He couldn't have betrayed the family's wishes by playing Sharpe - for obvious reasons. He would've been foolish to publicly contradict what Sharpe's parents/camp said about the plan to return next season. Should Cal have pushed Sharpe out the door, telling him to find another program or wait until next season? Absolutely not. That would've forfeited Kentucky's chances, however great or slim, to land a potential program-changing talent. If the kid is as good as advertised, you absolutely HAVE to take him and hope he stays true to his word. Fans have blasted Cal for his recent inability to pull in top prospects. Sharpe was the #1 recruit in the 2022 class and the potential #1 pick in the 2023 draft. How upset would we all have been if Cal had let him walk knowing there's a possibility he could go play for, say, Kansas (one of the schools he considered)? What happened is unfortunate, but it seems Cal found himself in a lose-lose situation.
Don't get me wrong. I'm as frustrated as anyone with Cal's lack of production over the last 5 or so years. Things need to change and they need to change quickly. The Sharpe situation sucks and it will be hard to fill his shoes next season. But Cal is not to blame for what happened IMO.
