DJ Wagner is "#1 by a large margin."

[DCFseattle]

I agree with you and I'll go a step further. Universities exist to educate people. They don't exist for athletics. There are two points with respect to that. First, if a person isn't interested in going to class and getting an education, why go to college for a year if you have other professional options? I'm not sure going to college just to meet the year requirement is in the best interest of the player. Second, enrolling students that are just serving the one year out of high school requirement doesn't really serve the purpose of the university. Personally, I think all parties are better off if college is for athletes who want an education and professional leagues are for athletes who prefer to make money as soon as possible.

Sounds nice, but that hasn't been true for a while. College athletic departments exist to make money. And they do. TV deals, corporate sponsorships, ballooning ticket prices.

It may happen on college campuses, but it's very much a business.

 

[shaudyshaud]

What does a following get you? What is Kuminga missing out on by not coming to Kentucky? Some more Instagram followers? More autograph sessions? Sure.. but I still don't know what that's really worth.

Our own fans claim they don't support or follow these guys after they leave Kentucky.. so what good is this Kentucky brand? What exactly did Wall or KAT get by playing a year of college here that they can't get else where? The free education for a 1AD or 2AD athlete is mostly meaningless, they aren't coming back to finish their degrees. And is John wall getting any of this TV revenue? no, hes not. We all know that. I dont think these things you mention really matter to the elite players.

I'll always say that Kentucky is the best of the best for this "brand", but I just don't think it's worth what you assume it to be. At least not for the top5-10 guys. They will continue to go to the G-League, so long as the NBA keeps shelling out half million dollar salaries and working, specifically, to get these guys to their big NBA contract.

Good post and good questions . I always thought the brand thing brought up on this board was overblown.

 

[bucsrule8872]

My personal ‘23 dream class:

G Wagner
G Sheppard
F Taylor
F Evans
F Fall or Lewis (whichever the staff prioritizes)
F McLear (Coach Marrow’s nephew)

 

[cat_in_the_hat]

Sounds nice, but that hasn't been true for a while. College athletic departments exist to make money. And they do. TV deals, corporate sponsorships, ballooning ticket prices.

It may happen on college campuses, but it's very much a business.

I think you are confused. Most athletic departments actually lose money. Although there is a lot of money in college athletics, athletic departments aren’t designed to generate profits.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think you are confused. Most athletic departments actually lose money. Although there is a lot of money in college athletics, athletic departments aren’t designed to generate profits.

If it is like HS (I think it’s very similar) the football and basketball programs support the rest of the programs.

 

[RunninRichie]

“Kentucky’s a great school and I love Kentucky,” he said. “Really I just love watching college basketball and I just love college basketball.”


For Wagner, his gaze is on a full junior season as his sophomore year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


“I am open to every school and really enjoying the process,” Wagner said. “I’m not focused on committing right now. I’m focused on high school right now.”

 

[bucsrule8872]

“Kentucky’s a great school and I love Kentucky,” he said. “Really I just love watching college basketball and I just love college basketball.”


For Wagner, his gaze is on a full junior season as his sophomore year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


“I am open to every school and really enjoying the process,” Wagner said. “I’m not focused on committing right now. I’m focused on high school right now.”

Translation: I’m going to take all my visits and party with college girls at five schools before I either go to UK or go pro.

 

[UK-chulo]

If it is like HS (I think it’s very similar) the football and basketball programs support the rest of the programs.

I believe only about 20 college basketball programs make a profit. Generally it is solely football that makes any money.

 

[Smashcat]

 

[jameslee32]

Good post and good questions . I always thought the brand thing brought up on this board was overblown.

Cal is about 10 years ahead on anything to do with cbb marketing and branding. Maybe it doesn't change the landscape as much as paying players big bucks but if it takes hold, UK marketing will take advantage.

 

[HagginHall1999]

I am of opinion he will 100% play for Cal....and it may be Cal's last year here.

 

[kb22stang]

The G-league is no comparison as far as building a brand? Lol, you sure about that? For starters, is this whole "brand" thing even important? Or is it overblown? Pretty sure guys like Kuminga aren't missing out on whatever brand they would have had at Duke or MSU. Guys like Kuminga didn't go to the G-league because they care about someone watching their pre-professional games.

Finally, some sense enters into the discussion. The "branding" thing is wayyy overblown by college basketball fans in a last gasp effort to save interest in the sport.

 

[UK-chulo]

Finally, some sense enters into the discussion. The "branding" thing is wayyy overblown by college basketball fans in a last gasp effort to save interest in the sport.

It's hogwash. What a player gets in the league once they've played out their rookie contract far exceeds having an attachment to a university or its fan base.

 

[kb22stang]

I’m saying that in the event of unfortunate circumstances, it is a nice little insurance policy.

You really need convincing after the tragedy this program just had that anything can happen?

Look I wish medical emergencies, injuries and accidents never happened, but your career can end while you’re sitting on the couch, look at Chris Oats, seemingly NFL bound linebacker, fighting for his life, he did nothing wrong and nothing to deserve that. I hope he gets to pursue whatever degree he’d like to at this university at no cost and lives a great life.

So no, I don’t think a lifetime scholarship is anything to scoff at. I don’t find it to be laughable like you do. I didn’t say it was the premier reason to come, I said anything can happen and it’s nice to have.

You are correct, it's a great thing to have in your back pocket; however, teenage boys, especially high caliber athletes, never believe it's going to be them who have the career ending injury. And, as long as you get that first NBA contract then you can afford to save $ for an education.