More Valuable - 5* From Elsewhere, or a 3/4* KY Kid with Heart?

[KYtotheCore]

Just read where the HS IN kids beat the KY kids for the 17th straight time, which brings me to want to discuss having Kentucky boys play (or not) for UK. I know some are not necessarily for it here. Personally, I like to have a couple of Kentucky-raised kids on the team - but not to the detriment of our chances - because typically local kids recognize more the privilege playing for UK than a kid from say the Bronx, etc. simply by being raised within the tradition. I think if you are going to recruit a KY-bred player, they have to be able to compete in practice, not just be a token KY kid. What do you think?

Disclaimer; This is not an endorsement for having untalented KY boys on the team, nor is it a knock on the current method of recruiting OADs.

 

[Cefiro]

Give me the 5 star any day! I love our KY kids, but we aren't going to win a championship with a roster full of them. Would be like the end of the Tubby era again.

 

[KYtotheCore]

Give me the 5 star any day! I love our KY kids, but we aren't going to win a championship with a roster full of them. Would be like the end of the Tubby era again.

I don't think we would either. I don't think our roster should be all KY kids but I recognize the value of a Miller, Willis, Epps as well.

 

[wromanp7]

This may become a popcorn thread.

But yeah.. I am with those that have already posted. I like having a couple kids on the team that bleed blue. Love seeing them get their chance and hit some free throws or a big shot.. but there's just not enough talent in the state to make it a priority.

Until there is.. the KY kids are end of bench roster fillers.

 

[shutzhund]

I want a Ky boy on the roster. If he is a legitimate five star or higher. Oh well, just a five star will do.

 

[KYtotheCore]

popcorn thread.

 

[uky8unc5]

The overlooked issue is the Ky Kid wanting to play for UK. If they are D1 good but not 5 star, the best locals want to sign where they can play.

 

[BBUK]

5 is great and 4 can be good to great given the situation and "Want to". The "Want to" is hard to define in many many people. You either have it or you do not. Some though have a whole less want to than they are capable of becoming.... Go CATS!!!

 

[JonathanW]

First of all I think too much emphasis is placed on how many Stars a player has. We've all seen 5* (even high 5*) players stink (Skal & others), and we've seen 4* and even a few 3* players do really well. But we do have to admit a 5* has a better chance than a 4*, and a 4* has a better chance than a 3* to be good.

Would most of us like to have a few KY kids on the team, sure! But KY has produced very few really good players the last many years. How many KY HS grads have either been drafted or played in the NBA in the past 20 years? I bet we can count on one hand.

I think if they are close (a top end 4* is close to a low end 5*) then sure I'll take the KY kid. But if the 5* is significantly better, then of course I want the likely better player.

 

[Cychologist]

Give me those Kentucky kids like Riley, Issel, Grevey, Macy, Bowie, Mashburn, Wall, Davis and Towns any day.

Oh, wait....

Let's get the best kids we can get and make them Kentucky kids.

 

[trinity45]

Give me the 5 star any day! I love our KY kids, but we aren't going to win a championship with a roster full of them. Would be like the end of the Tubby era again.

Doubtful you could get a roster of KY kids, but I have always liked having one or two on the roster, beside a roster full of 5 stars would mean transfers.

 

[Wallins creek Cat]

Take the most talented hopefully some are KY kids but I say take the best. We'll convert them.

 

[mebeblue2]

OP your title is very misleading, it suggests that 5 star players from elsewhere do not have heart
it is nice to have a Kentucky kid or two on the roster, but it is much more important to have talent

 

[Nubb16]

Well I mean if it's 5 star Anthony Davis vs 4 star Jon Hood, I'm pretty sure it's going to be the 5 star

 

[kybassfan]

There is no tradition if a KY player can't compete on the squad. All other things being equal, pick the KY kid. Otherwise go with the player that earned it. That's the tradition.

 

[Smashcat]

Just read where the HS IN kids beat the KY kids for the 17th straight time, which brings me to want to discuss having Kentucky boys play (or not) for UK. I know some are not necessarily for it here. Personally, I like to have a couple of Kentucky-raised kids on the team - but not to the detriment of our chances - because typically local kids recognize more the privilege playing for UK than a kid from say the Bronx, etc. simply by being raised within the tradition. I think if you are going to recruit a KY-bred player, they have to be able to compete in practice, not just be a token KY kid. What do you think?

Disclaimer; This is not an endorsement for having untalented KY boys on the team, nor is it a knock on the current method of recruiting OADs.

You need both. No UK them has won a national championship without a Ky kid. If you take the 3/4 Kentucky kid he won't scare off the 5-star anyway.

 

[UKGrad93]

We're the KENTUCKY WILDCATS if you haven't noticed. Not the 5* Wildcats or California Wildcats or New York Wildcats. We are the KENTUCKY WILDCATS!!!! I sure wish Mr. John Calipari would recognize that and quit recruiting all these guys from all over that don't want to be here. Let's get back to making this about Kentucky. Coach them Kentucky boys up some Cal. If your such a good coach, you can coach up them kids with heart. Guys like Briscoe don't even want to be here.

 

[KYtotheCore]

OP your title is very misleading, it suggests that 5 star players from elsewhere do not have heart
it is nice to have a Kentucky kid or two on the roster, but it is much more important to have talent

Good point. That's not what I was implying. I meant a kid from Los Angeles being recruited by other blue blood programs likely doesn't have that "heart" to wear the UK jersey, like a local kid with fewer options, i.e. Pelphrey, Feldhaus, Epps, etc.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Just read where the HS IN kids beat the KY kids for the 17th straight time, which brings me to want to discuss having Kentucky boys play (or not) for UK. I know some are not necessarily for it here. Personally, I like to have a couple of Kentucky-raised kids on the team - but not to the detriment of our chances - because typically local kids recognize more the privilege playing for UK than a kid from say the Bronx, etc. simply by being raised within the tradition. I think if you are going to recruit a KY-bred player, they have to be able to compete in practice, not just be a token KY kid. What do you think?

Disclaimer; This is not an endorsement for having untalented KY boys on the team, nor is it a knock on the current method of recruiting OADs.

The KY team won.

 

[cal=8]

What we don't want is a Chris Lofton punishing us from a rival school. If a kids from Ky and can play we better make sure we find a spot for him.

 

[BBUK]

We're the KENTUCKY WILDCATS if you haven't noticed. Not the 5* Wildcats or California Wildcats or New York Wildcats. We are the KENTUCKY WILDCATS!!!! I sure wish Mr. John Calipari would recognize that and quit recruiting all these guys from all over that don't want to be here. Let's get back to making this about Kentucky. Coach them Kentucky boys up some Cal. If your such a good coach, you can coach up them kids with heart. Guys like Briscoe don't even want to be here.

Kind of hard to decipher but let me try; Coach up the Kentucky players so they are good enough to be 5 star players and win a championship. (Cal can do that if he is a good coach.) Only take Kentucky players who have heart because a good Coach can coach good heart up to being 5 star talent because Kentucky kids will give all their heart to be a 5 star if they played for Kentucky. Only sign Kentucky kids who want to compete and want to be at Kentucky (One Year? Two Years? Three Years? or Four Years? Or must it be Four Years?) (That part I didn't understand.) If you coach up kids to be Kentucky 5 star kids then Kentucky will be great again.

IF and I state IF I got that right you are living in la la land or were, or are high while you posted. (In that case delete it.) It had to be a harder drug than marijuana to state what you stated. (jmuo)

If I am wrong in transcribing what you stated I apologize but....dayum...

Oh, and you don't think much of Briscoe....sigh...

 

[UKGrad93]

Kind of hard to decipher but let me try; Coach up the Kentucky players so they are good enough to be 5 star players and win a championship. (Cal can do that if he is a good coach.) Only take Kentucky players who have heart because a good Coach can coach good heart up to being 5 star talent because Kentucky kids will give all their heart to be a 5 star if they played for Kentucky. Only sign Kentucky kids who want to compete and want to be at Kentucky (One Year? Two Years? Three Years? or Four Years? Or must it be Four Years?) (That part I didn't understand.) If you coach up kids to be Kentucky 5 star kids then Kentucky will be great again.

IF and I state IF I got that right you are living in la la land or were, or are high while you posted. (In that case delete it.) It had to be a harder drug than marijuana to state what you stated. (jmuo)

If I am wrong in transcribing what you stated I apologize but....dayum...

Oh, and you don't think much of Briscoe....sigh...

Look man. Briscoe was pretty good most of the time, except for when he sucked which happend. But if Briscoe was from Kentucky he would be coming back to finish his degree and improve his jumpshot. Think about that.

 

[awf]

I prefer the best talent no matter where he was born. If there are kids from the state that are talented enough to contribute at some point, it is just another bragging point. Although I have scratched my head on some KY kids that go to other schools. Now, most kids aspire to be the team star. They don't want to share or put in their time. It does seem like when there are KY boys on the team, that they work hard and wait their turn to get on the floor.

 

[Ineverplayedthegame]

8-10 *****
1 KY kid each year that wants to be there 4 years.

 

[BBUK]

Look man. Briscoe was pretty good most of the time, except for when he sucked which happend. But if Briscoe was from Kentucky he would be coming back to finish his degree and improve his jumpshot. Think about that.

I hope you are aware, a whole lot of Cal's UK players are returning to get their degree. (Not so much improving their jump shot. I'll give you that.) A lot more than I have ever heard returning before...

 

[mebeblue2]

Good point. That's not what I was implying. I meant a kid from Los Angeles being recruited by other blue blood programs likely doesn't have that "heart" to wear the UK jersey, like a local kid with fewer options, i.e. Pelphrey, Feldhaus, Epps, etc.

i agree that it means more for most Kentucky kids to play at UK
but at the end of the day they all want to win...............and so do we

 

[FFWhite]

Dementia is evil.

We're the KENTUCKY WILDCATS if you haven't noticed. Not the 5* Wildcats or California Wildcats or New York Wildcats. We are the KENTUCKY WILDCATS!!!! I sure wish Mr. John Calipari would recognize that and quit recruiting all these guys from all over that don't want to be here. Let's get back to making this about Kentucky. Coach them Kentucky boys up some Cal. If your such a good coach, you can coach up them kids with heart. Guys like Briscoe don't even want to be here.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

You always take the better player.

Most of these guys want to win. You saw that with the guys crying after the UNC loss. Thus, the so called heart factor for the KY boy is overrated. Fox had a lot more heart than Willis for example IMO.

 

[KYtotheCore]

The KY team won.

Hmm. I might have misread it. This is the quick read from the IndyStar Headline:

"INDIANAPOLIS — Consecutive win No. 17 came with a big boost from No. 15. Via No. 1.

IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball Kris Wilkes of North Central led the Indiana All-Stars with 29 points as the boys extended their winning streak over Kentucky in the annual series to a record 17 games with a 94-89 win on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse."

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I mean, you could argue that despite having a great crop of kids since Cal has been here, Derek Willis was actually towards the bottom of the list for a kid with heart and and side-issues.

You go for the best available. In the Cal era that means some Kentucky kids who dreamed of playing for us, maybe have to go elsewhere. That's how it is right now. If you're big into local talent, it's not the worst thing if Kentucky talent stays instate at the smaller schools. Having what, 3 or 4 Kentucky teams in the tournament every year is pretty cool.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Just read where the HS IN kids beat the KY kids for the 17th straight time, which brings me to want to discuss having Kentucky boys play (or not) for UK. I know some are not necessarily for it here. Personally, I like to have a couple of Kentucky-raised kids on the team - but not to the detriment of our chances - because typically local kids recognize more the privilege playing for UK than a kid from say the Bronx, etc. simply by being raised within the tradition. I think if you are going to recruit a KY-bred player, they have to be able to compete in practice, not just be a token KY kid. What do you think?

Disclaimer; This is not an endorsement for having untalented KY boys on the team, nor is it a knock on the current method of recruiting OADs.

I don't think the question can be asked so simply. Kids recruited to UK have to be good enough to contribute. That is true regardless of their ranking in high school. I do believe there is tremendous benefit to having Ky. kids on the team if possible. They are usually 4 year guys and we really do need experience to go with the young superstars.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Hmm. I might have misread it. This is the quick read from the IndyStar Headline:

"INDIANAPOLIS — Consecutive win No. 17 came with a big boost from No. 15. Via No. 1.

IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball Kris Wilkes of North Central led the Indiana All-Stars with 29 points as the boys extended their winning streak over Kentucky in the annual series to a record 17 games with a 94-89 win on Saturday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse."

Well, something is confused. http://www.kentucky.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/article155617834.html

They must play a home/home every year.

 

[UKGrad93]

You always take the better player.

Most of these guys want to win. You saw that with the guys crying after the UNC loss. Thus, the so called heart factor for the KY boy is overrated. Fox had a lot more heart than Willis for example IMO.

The better player will always be the Kentucky boy that finally gets some good coaching.

Also, you can't judge all Kentucky boys by Derek Willis. I'll bet a lot more Kentucky kids were crying after that UNC loss than Texas kids. For every one Derak Willis, there are at least a hundred KY kids that would run thru fire, over broken glass, bare-footed just to get to wear the uniform.

 

[Willy4UK]

I'll take a 2 star from my hometown. Can't have enough 2 stars from my hometown.

 

[BlackMamba12.5]

Personally, I like to have a couple of Kentucky-raised kids on the team - but not to the detriment of our chances - because typically local kids recognize more the privilege playing for UK than a kid from say the Bronx, etc. simply by being raised within the tradition.

Admit it man, you just want a couple KY boys on the rooster to boost the team GPA.

 

[Bkocats]

Give me those Kentucky kids like Riley, Issel, Grevey, Macy, Bowie, Mashburn, Wall, Davis and Towns any day.

Oh, wait....

Let's get the best kids we can get and make them Kentucky kids.

best statement in this thread, IMO. For the most part, those guys have represented Kentucky incredibly well, and have promoted UK basketball after moving on to the NBA. Can't not love that

Sure, I'd like to have a Kentucky guy or two on the team, most of us from the state would. But that's a human interest thing, just makes us feel good to know they are there.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Would you trade Travis Ford for Cal?

The best thing a Kentucky kid provides to the roster is stability. If you're looking to add depth and continuity, a kid in the 50-60 range from Lexington is probably more likely to accept that role than one from Houston.

But for every Miller, there's a Hood ranked in the same range who never pans out. Would I have loved to see Goodin or Hollingsworth as Cats? Yes. Even Beetle Bolden. But those guys are too good to come and sit for three or four years.

I actually love our recruiting approach, where in big years we bring in a Poole, Willis, Hawkins, Baker, etc to build stability going forward. Doesn't always work out, but the idea is the best way you can handle our completely unconventional recruiting needs.

 

[BBUK]

Dementia is evil.

I thought it was me at first but I read it again. Whew...

 

[BBUK]

I don't think the question can be asked so simply. Kids recruited to UK have to be good enough to contribute. That is true regardless of their ranking in high school. I do believe there is tremendous benefit to having Ky. kids on the team if possible. They are usually 4 year guys and we really do need experience to go with the young superstars.

But if Cal is a good coach he can coach the Kentucky kids up to 5 star. If not then Cal is not the coach some thought he was...

 

[UKWildcats#8]

The better player will always be the Kentucky boy that finally gets some good coaching.

Also, you can't judge all Kentucky boys by Derek Willis. I'll bet a lot more Kentucky kids were crying after that UNC loss than Texas kids. For every one Derak Willis, there are at least a hundred KY kids that would run thru fire, over broken glass, bare-footed just to get to wear the uniform.

Give me ad, cousins, mkg, monk and wall and I will whip your teams ass by 20 to 30 every game.

Coach Cal gave miller good coaching and he was not our best player ever. What a silly take by you.