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Instead of using the 13th scholarship on a walk on, why not give it to a 3* player that bleeds blue?

E

EclipsingYou

Junior
Sep 23, 2003
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Trace Young
6'8"
Originally from North Harden. Finishing HS at Huntington Prep in WV.
Offered by: Virgina Tech, DePaul, UMASS, USC, Kansas St, South Florida, etc.

Ranked a 3* by Rivals and a 3* by 24/7 as the 252nd player overall.

From what I have heard, he has always bled blue. He would love to take that last scholarship that is never used and see if he can contribute one day or not. If not, Calipari can sit him down, tell him so, he can move on, and nobody is in any worst shape.

If it doesn't work out, find a similar player next year and give him his chance of a lifetime.

There are several similar players in Kentucky each season. I just wish we took more chances on such kids that bleed blue than see walk ons take our final scholarship each season.

Maybe Young isn't the answer, but after reading about him, he fits the bill of the example I am proposing.

Reward in-state kids that have some potential with a scholarship and see how it goes.

I'm sure there's good reasons Calipari doesn't do such a thing with our last 1-2 scholarships each year, but I think it would help out recruiting in Kentucky if we ever actually produce a TOP notch player.

With Willis and Hawkins gone, I just wish Cal would take a chance on a decent 3* in state player that could turn into a contributor or be more than happy to transfer after getting the opportunity of his lifetime.

In my completely worthless opinion as always
 
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ukfan2410 said:
No. Doesn't have the right attitude to play here
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Agree, def does not have Hawkins attitude. He is the best prospect in KY and he is from Ohio County originally. From what it sounds like the kid from Dunbar was the one to get, I do agree we should go after at least one KY kid each year though.
 
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I don't know the young man, but he's not even considered a top five player in the state., so I'm not sure how he'd exceed the "scholarship for players who never play" barrier.
 
Thanks for the replies!

I more or less just took him as an example of an in state player getting decent offers with previous mentions of liking Kentucky and being a 3*.

Throw Young off the table. Does anyone else meet that criteria for anyone else? A 3* in state player that has always dreamed of playing for Kentucky?

The type of player that knows if it he doesn't absolutely amaze the staff in a year, he will be replaced by a similar blue blooded prospect?
 
Giving young in state players the chance if a lifetime seems like a better use of the last scholarship than giving it to a random walk on.

That is more or less my main point here.

Trace Young be darned, he was the first example that came to mind without much searching.
 
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It's just a tough balance.

They have to be good enough to actually play here but not good enough to be able to play at a high major school immediately. Our state just doesn't have the depth of talent to do that consistently.

We produce lots of guys who would love a UK offer, but very few are good enough to ever contribute. The ones who are good enough to play here as juniors can play somewhere like West Virginia or LSU early in their career.

In an ideal world, the Quentin Goodin's of the world come here and build incredible depth, but that just isn't realistic.


...which should also tell all you "play for the name on the front and don't worry about the NBA" guys all you need to know. The only guys willing to do that have zero shot, and you won't win many (any) titles with them.
 
GonzoCat90,

Understood 100%. I agree. A really delicate balance. I just think that players would forgoe their scholarship to Kansas St for an offer from Cal knowing that he has a year to stake his claim or move on if he has been a Kentucky fan since birth.
 
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Had I been 6'8" instead of 6'2" and been approached by schools like Kansas St (for example), instead of NAIA schools, had Cal made me such an offer I would've jumped on it without a doubt.
 
GonzoCat90 said:
It's just a tough balance.

They have to be good enough to actually play here but not good enough to be able to play at a high major school immediately. Our state just doesn't have the depth of talent to do that consistently.

We produce lots of guys who would love a UK offer, but very few are good enough to ever contribute. The ones who are good enough to play here as juniors can play somewhere like West Virginia or LSU early in their career.

In an ideal world, the Quentin Goodin's of the world come here and build incredible depth, but that just isn't realistic.


...which should also tell all you "play for the name on the front and don't worry about the NBA" guys all you need to know. The only guys willing to do that have zero shot, and you won't win many (any) titles with them.
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The white bread that hit that last second shot for UNC, was a 3 star state kid IIRC. They probably don't win the title without him. Same for Miller at UK in '12 although he was higher ranked.

Just sayin, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Some of those kids want to play here and are willing to sit until called, we just don't use much creativity the way we build rosters.
 
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morgousky said:
The white bread that hit that last second shot for UNC, was a 3 star state kid IIRC. They probably don't win the title without him. Same for Miller at UK in '12 although he was higher ranked.

Just sayin, it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Some of those kids want to play here and are willing to sit until called, we just don't use much creativity the way we build rosters.
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Curry was a three star I think.
 
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EclipsingYou said:
Thanks for the replies!

I more or less just took him as an example of an in state player getting decent offers with previous mentions of liking Kentucky and being a 3*.

Throw Young off the table. Does anyone else meet that criteria for anyone else? A 3* in state player that has always dreamed of playing for Kentucky?

The type of player that knows if it he doesn't absolutely amaze the staff in a year, he will be replaced by a similar blue blooded prospect?
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Don't know the kid at all... but NH is mostly dirty bird red... I attended and was in the minority (UK fanatic)
Pro UL at NH goes back to Robbie valentine, James jeter (both UL) and Brett burrow(vandy) . Joe B did not have any interest any if them, and made it no secret.
 
CELTICAT said:
I don't know the young man, but he's not even considered a top five player in the state., so I'm not sure how he'd exceed the "scholarship for players who never play" barrier.
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He is prob the 2nd highest rated player in KY. No one in KY knows about him because he played for 4 schools in 4 years. He was ineligible for the first half of his senior year so no real serious Mr. basketball talk. He has power 5 offers.
 
Luke Maye put up big numbers in the EYBL, the biggest high school baskerball stage. No where near the same as comparing him to this dude.
 
Sparkaces1 said:
He is prob the 2nd highest rated player in KY. No one in KY knows about him because he played for 4 schools in 4 years. He was ineligible for the first half of his senior year so no real serious Mr. basketball talk. He has power 5 offers.
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24/7 has him as #3 in the state. ESPN has him at #6 in the state. Both have him higher than Hollingsworth, who many on here thought highly of. Like I said, I'm not familiar with the young man. Odd that he bounced around as much as he did though.
 
If that's what you think then why should we even hesitate? Heck with Cal he should be consulting with what YOU would do.
 
I agree that UK should be using 13 scholarships every year.

I also agree that UK should never take a kid who isn't in the top 100 or so.

There are 25 players in the top 100 who want to be at UK every year so taking a completely unknown kid ranked #252 makes no sense.
 
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First of all, we have no idea about whether or not Diallo is/was likely to play. It was a win/win gamble though as we still had unused scholarships. If he stays in the draft, we will still have the unused scholarship. If he stays, we are using a scholarship on a player worthy of a great deal of playing time and making an impact. I just don't see the argument about scholarships. I do think we should at least try to get the best kid in the state on board every year, if he has a real shot at playing or contributing in a meaningful way.
 
Luke Maye is a good example. Playing quality minutes for UNC now.

Sounds great! Bring someone like him down! If he WOWs everyone in his first year, keep him for a second. If not, let him transfer wherever he wants to go after having been able to practice against the best players in college and live like a total rock star in Lexington.

I love the idea, but I don't think most of you understand what I am saying.

Basically, in the top 250 players, there are several that would do ANYTHING to play for Coach Cal and Kentucky with a chance to earn a permanent roster spot. Even if knowing that if they don't impress in that year, their scholarship will be given to the next top 250 players who dreams of UK next year.

Surely, this is a better way to utilize the 13th scholarship that I do not think has been filled by anyone other than a walk on since Calipari's first year here.

Hidden gems are everywhere. Here's a way to attempt to find a lower rated one that thoroughly bleeds blue every season without scarrying off any top 5*s.

I'm sure that if that offer went out you'd see at least 5-7 top 250 players willing to take the gamble. This is Coach Cal we are talking about. The LEGEND MAKER of college basketball.

Being 100% upfront with the player from day 1 should more than battle off any unforseen type of PR hit, IMO.

Plus, talk about an automatic crowd favorite if this last scholarship program actually produces a player that has broken into the lineup by his JR/SR year.

The majority of other large conference teams hope to find a few top 250 players each season to be their next recruiting class. We currently have the luxury of giving such a recruit a year to prove his worth at the greatest player in college basketball.

If you look at the players that fill postseason conference American teams, there's SEVERAL who were not even rated in the top 250.

I just don't see much to lose. Call me crazy.
 
Last edited:
I'd really like to see the priority be:

Who do I need to bring here to win a National Championship

as opposed to

Who can I bring here to get drafted
 
EclipsingYou said:
Luke Maye is a good example. Playing quality minutes for UNC now.

Sounds great! Bring someone like him down! If he WOWs everyone in his first year, keep him for a second. If not, let him transfer wherever he wants to go after having been able to practice against the best players in college and live like a total rock star in Lexington.

I love the idea, but I don't think most of you understand what I am saying.

Basically, in the top 250 players, there are several that would do ANYTHING to play for Coach Cal and Kentucky with a chance to earn a permanent roster spot. Even if knowing that if they don't impress in that year, their scholarship will be given to the next top 250 players who dreams of UK next year.

Surely, this is a better way to utilize the 13th scholarship that I do not think has been filled by anyone other than a walk on since Calipari's first year here.

Hidden gems are everywhere. Here's a way to attempt to find a lower rated one that thoroughly bleeds blue every season without scarrying off any top 5*s.

I'm sure that if that offer went out you'd see at least 5-7 top 250 players willing to take the gamble. This is Coach Cal we are talking about. The LEGEND MAKER of college basketball.

Being 100% upfront with the player from day 1 should more than battle off any unforseen type of PR hit, IMO.

Plus, talk about an automatic crowd favorite if this last scholarship program actually produces a player that has broken into the lineup by his JR/SR year.

The majority of other large conference teams hope to find a few top 250 players each season to be their next recruiting class. We currently have the luxury of giving such a recruit a year to prove his worth at the greatest player in college basketball.

If you look at the players that fill postseason conference American teams, there's SEVERAL who were not even rated in the top 250.

I just don't see much to lose. Call me crazy.
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Ok OP come clean. Trace Young is either your son, nephew, cousin or godson.
 
I do not have any knowledge and what I will state is only an assumption but I don't think walk-ons are randomly chosen. It seems some are allowed to walk-on due to some connection with the university or their significant supporters. I'd also think Cal or a staff member keeps an eye open for a Kentucky kid that may not be a 5 star. I would also think that anyone on the team will have to meet Cal's standard of the type of kid he wants on the team character-wise. You cannot find that type in any state every year... Jmuo
 
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why do we need a Kentucky fan or Kentucky born player on the team?

Seems like completely meaningless approach.
 
WildMoon said:
why do we need a Kentucky fan or Kentucky born player on the team?

Seems like completely meaningless approach.
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I'd say you are definitely in the vast minority on that one and for good reason. If Darius Miller, or even Hawkins last year didn't show the few who don't get it exactly why they're important I don't know what will.

Kentucky born / bred / both bring something to the table the others don't. A clear understanding of this program and most of the time it's simply more important to them. It's special, and it's important to have some guys from the state represent the team.

Is it everything? No. Is it going to cut nets down in and of itself? No. Is it important and proper? Yes.
 
morgousky said:
I'd say you are definitely in the vast minority on that one and for good reason. If Darius Miller, or even Hawkins last year didn't show the few who don't get it exactly why they're important I don't know what will.

Kentucky born / bred / both bring something to the table the others don't. A clear understanding of this program and most of the time it's simply more important to them. It's special, and it's important to have some guys from the state represent the team.

Is it everything? No. Is it going to cut nets down in and of itself? No. Is it important and proper? Yes.
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I think it depends on the skill set. Hawk, Miller and Willis could all ball. If you have a top 125 or so player from Kentucky you want to add, I am all for it.
 
irishcat1965 said:
I think it depends on the skill set. Hawk, Miller and Willis could all ball. If you have a top 125 or so player from Kentucky you want to add, I am all for it.
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That's what I'm getting at. I think if they're good enough, or actually even in some cases if you have questions, its worth having a Kentucky guy or two on a roster. For several reasons.
 
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