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Roberts: Simmons Visits This Weekend; Dad Grew Up Rooting for Kentucky

Smashcat

Smashcat

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Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 2h2 hours ago
Also: Kobi Simmons' dad grew up in Cincy rooting for UK: "I grew up watching Kenny Walker, Dicky Beal. I go way back" http://bit.ly/1Ik3lfM

Good article.

As a result, several reports have indicated that Calipari has cooled on Simmons.

Not so, says his father.

“It’s just funny to me that people think that,” said Demond Stephens. “Cal talks to me. Kenny (Payne) talks to me. We talk every day.”

Stephens knows the recruiting game.

He’s spent the past several years as a coach with the highly successful Atlanta Celtics AAU program, which featured Simmons among other elite prospects this summer and has sent many players to major colleges in years past.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/08/27/4007501_next-cats-as-kobi-simmons-visits.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
 
Interesting that his dad is a Cincy native.

I believe the question becomes do we take the kid or not.
 
Smashcat said:

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 2h2 hours ago
Also: Kobi Simmons' dad grew up in Cincy rooting for UK: "I grew up watching Kenny Walker, Dicky Beal. I go way back" http://bit.ly/1Ik3lfM

Good article.

As a result, several reports have indicated that Calipari has cooled on Simmons.

Not so, says his father.

“It’s just funny to me that people think that,” said Demond Stephens. “Cal talks to me. Kenny (Payne) talks to me. We talk every day.”

Stephens knows the recruiting game.

He’s spent the past several years as a coach with the highly successful Atlanta Celtics AAU program, which featured Simmons among other elite prospects this summer and has sent many players to major colleges in years past.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/08/27/4007501_next-cats-as-kobi-simmons-visits.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy
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Curious if Cal would be could convince both Simmons and Fox to be the next Wall/Bledsoe ? But then there's Monk . We finally have an elite player that is a lifelong Cat fan , but we are in on possibly the no. 1 player in the class who plays the same position. A lot will depend on Ulis also . GREAT problem to have!
 
yoshukai said:
Curious if Cal would be could convince both Simmons and Fox to be the next Wall/Bledsoe ? But then there's Monk . We finally have an elite player that is a lifelong Cat fan , but we are in on possibly the no. 1 player in the class who plays the same position. A lot will depend on Ulis also . GREAT problem to have!
Click to expand...
Agree. This is what I was thinking. I think Simmons is more of a combo scoring guard anyways that would probably fit better at the 2. I don't really see him as a true PG like Fox. I don't think signing Fox and Simmons would scare away Monk at all. Either way, we are getting elite level talent at the 1 and 2 for this class.
 
Maybe we take Fox, Monk, and Simmons and start them at the 1, 2, 3 in a three guard lineup.

If it works this year, that might be an option.

I want Bridges, too. I would take all four and play small. Bridges can play as a face up 4.
 
Simmons camp coming off as trying to beg UK to take the kid. UK recruitments are quiet, things are happening behind the scenes, this kid has proclaimed "I'm their guy" and then UK offered 3 other guards after a horrible performance on AAU/Camp circuit, then he was telling people he really liked Xavier, but took them off the list due to Quentin Goodin committing there. Is that really a UK type mentality? He's going to have stiffer competition at UK then Goodin. This recruitment smells of I'm trying to talk my way into UK and with better options available I just don't see UK reaching for this kid. He's an athlete trying to become a basketball player and witnessing him firsthand, he's more Ryan Harrow then he is the lineage of PG that UK has had since Cal arrived.

Also, a friend of mine is quick to point out, the Atlanta kids are very prominent for high maintenance and drama filled recruitments--be it FB or BB. Look at Jaylen Brown, who was deemed a very low maintenance kid who wanted his decision over by Spring of '14. Yeah--no chaos/drama there.

Again, I say this as a neutral party and no rooting interest but the things I was able to witness and have heard from friends in the industry--this kid is has a lot of growing up to do and his recruitment is playing out as a desperation plea to UK in public. Shouldn't have played game....and maybe this wouldn't be necessary. For UK, think they'll be fortunate he did and they can move onto better player.
 
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ralphdaltonfan said:
Simmons camp coming off as trying to beg UK to take the kid. UK recruitments are quiet, things are happening behind the scenes, this kid has proclaimed "I'm their guy" and then UK offered 3 other guards after a horrible performance on AAU/Camp circuit, then he was telling people he really liked Xavier, but took them off the list due to Quentin Goodin committing there. Is that really a UK type mentality? He's going to have stiffer competition at UK then Goodin. This recruitment smells of I'm trying to talk my way into UK and with better options available I just don't see UK reaching for this kid. He's an athlete trying to become a basketball player and witnessing him firsthand, he's more Ryan Harrow then he is the lineage of PG that UK has had since Cal arrived.

Also, a friend of mine is quick to point out, the Atlanta kids are very prominent for high maintenance and drama filled recruitments--be it FB or BB. Look at Jaylen Brown, who was deemed a very low maintenance kid who wanted his decision over by Spring of '14. Yeah--no chaos/drama there.

Again, I say this as a neutral party and no rooting interest but the things I was able to witness and have heard from friends in the industry--this kid is has a lot of growing up to do and his recruitment is playing out as a desperation plea to UK in public. Shouldn't have played game....and maybe this wouldn't be necessary. For UK, think they'll be fortunate he did and they can move onto better player.
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He has an offer, if he wants to come to UK all he has to do is accept it. He doesn't have to beg UK for an offer since he already has one.

I think the more probable scenario is that schools have cooled on him, and making it seem like UK is after you is a publicity move to get more schools to come after you, or get other schools to come at you harder. Probably the latter with this being he senior season and him likely wanting to narrow down to a few schools.

We'll see how it plays out, but even if he doesn't come to UK, UK will be on his list to the very end. UK is a brand now, not just while you're here, but also during the recruiting process.
 
ralphdaltonfan said:
Simmons camp coming off as trying to beg UK to take the kid. UK recruitments are quiet, things are happening behind the scenes, this kid has proclaimed "I'm their guy" and then UK offered 3 other guards after a horrible performance on AAU/Camp circuit, then he was telling people he really liked Xavier, but took them off the list due to Quentin Goodin committing there. Is that really a UK type mentality? He's going to have stiffer competition at UK then Goodin. This recruitment smells of I'm trying to talk my way into UK and with better options available I just don't see UK reaching for this kid. He's an athlete trying to become a basketball player and witnessing him firsthand, he's more Ryan Harrow then he is the lineage of PG that UK has had since Cal arrived.

Also, a friend of mine is quick to point out, the Atlanta kids are very prominent for high maintenance and drama filled recruitments--be it FB or BB. Look at Jaylen Brown, who was deemed a very low maintenance kid who wanted his decision over by Spring of '14. Yeah--no chaos/drama there.

Again, I say this as a neutral party and no rooting interest but the things I was able to witness and have heard from friends in the industry--this kid is has a lot of growing up to do and his recruitment is playing out as a desperation plea to UK in public. Shouldn't have played game....and maybe this wouldn't be necessary. For UK, think they'll be fortunate he did and they can move onto better player.
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But, do you have an opinion on the subject?
 
If he will come and Fox is down with it sign him up. Simmons just needs to realize he will be coming off the bench for a year.
 
Monk wants time at the 1 and the 2. If we get Fox, then Simmons may cause issues.

Be interesting to see how thing unfold this year, as we have 3 kids that want time at the PG as well.
 
brianpoe said:
Monk wants time at the 1 and the 2. If we get Fox, then Simmons may cause issues.

Be interesting to see how thing unfold this year, as we have 3 kids that want time at the PG as well.
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I don't see Monk playing the 1 at UK. I am sure Arkansas and others may have promised him that deal, but I don't see that happening unless UK whiffs on all three PG's and Ulis heads out.
 
ulismyman said:
Take Simmons if he wants to pull the trigger...bird in the hand theory. If we lose Fox....so be it.
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High likelihood IMO that Fox and Monk will end up at Kentucky. But it would be interesting to see what happens if Simmons verbals. I don't think he will commit yet though. He is still seriously considering Ohio State and a couple other schools.
 
I'm sure Cal would love both, but if he had to choose it'd probably be Fox. Seems like Fox is coming close to a consensus top 5 player in rankings.
 
I've watched him play and he never did look like a guy who did anything great but did things well and some things not to well. He didn't strike me as a PG or a shooting guard. He looked more like a slashing SF to me who excels in the open court. I think he could be a player in a system who loves the outlet pass and fast break as much as possible. Kinda like how UNC plays.
 
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bssparks said:
I don't see Monk playing the 1 at UK. I am sure Arkansas and others may have promised him that deal, but I don't see that happening unless UK whiffs on all three PG's and Ulis heads out.
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He has publicly stated that he wants some time at PG and if Fox is our only PG then he can run the one at times. I am 100% positive UK has told him he could, just like we did with Briscoe and Murray.

If Fox and Simmons commit I could see that being a factor for Monk.
 
JasonSpear said:
Simmons and Fox both plan to sign in the fall. Which does Cal take/prefer?
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I have read several times that Fox has expressed plans to announce his school choice in December. Don't know if he has changed his plans. Have you seen something on that recently? If the choice for Calipari comes down to Fox or Simmons, I have to believe he would take Fox because Fox seems to be more like Rose and Evans in athleticism and ability to get into the lane. Calipari has been recruiting Fox very hard this summer. But Simmons' father has said that he hears from Calipari or Payne almost every day. So if that is true, it sounds like Calipari might still want both. Or else maybe he takes the 1st to commit. But I doubt Calioari would do something that might interfere with Monk's recruitment. From the very beginning, Calipari has coveted Monk.
 
I love Fox, but if Kobi loves UK and wants to be a Cat, I'd be more than happy to have him.

I also don't think he would scare off Fox or Monk. I think Kobi would be a good complement to A Fox/Monk backcourt. If we were to take a third guard, he'd probably actually be a better option than Alkins, who is a ball-dominant guy who is going to want to take a bunch of shots.

Simmons could also be molded into an elite defender.
 
Monk is playing it very close to the vest on his recruitment. There is a video interview on Phog.

Very cagey non-answers. Plans to release his cut list soon. Gun to head, I think he is a Kentucky lean. But really hard to tell.

No timeline given other than "when I'm comfortable". Did appear to defer to his brother and mom (which kind of sent up red flags to me) on the whole decision making process.

http://www.scout.com/college/basket.../1579315-one-on-one-with-five-star-malik-monk

Sorry if link doesn't work. I just copied it. Not much there anyway. Maybe some of you can decifer more out of it than could I.
 
*Bleedingblue* said:
I've watched him play and he never did look like a guy who did anything great but did things well and some things not to well. He didn't strike me as a PG or a shooting guard. He looked more like a slashing SF to me who excels in the open court. I think he could be a player in a system who loves the outlet pass and fast break as much as possible. Kinda like how UNC plays.
Click to expand...

Sounds a lot like Liggins. He saw himself as a PG coming out of high school, but ended up getting most of his run as a SF who could do a little bit of everything.
 
I watched the Monk interview and saw it as very pro-UK. Also thought it was a good sign that he said he wasn't set on playing point and would play whatever position he's needed in - which I think fits right in with Cal's "positionless basketball" spiel.
 
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Everyone needs to stop slamming this Simmons kid. He's a damn fine player that UK would take his commitment on the spot. It's like splitting hairs between fox and simmons. UK would be very lucky to have either one.
 
I'd support a Fox-Monk-Simmons-Bridges-Lee starting five. Light on the glass, but athletic as any team we've seen with decent spacing and a superior transition game.
 
ralphdaltonfan said:
Simmons camp coming off as trying to beg UK to take the kid. UK recruitments are quiet, things are happening behind the scenes, this kid has proclaimed "I'm their guy" and then UK offered 3 other guards after a horrible performance on AAU/Camp circuit, then he was telling people he really liked Xavier, but took them off the list due to Quentin Goodin committing there. Is that really a UK type mentality? He's going to have stiffer competition at UK then Goodin. This recruitment smells of I'm trying to talk my way into UK and with better options available I just don't see UK reaching for this kid. He's an athlete trying to become a basketball player and witnessing him firsthand, he's more Ryan Harrow then he is the lineage of PG that UK has had since Cal arrived.

Also, a friend of mine is quick to point out, the Atlanta kids are very prominent for high maintenance and drama filled recruitments--be it FB or BB. Look at Jaylen Brown, who was deemed a very low maintenance kid who wanted his decision over by Spring of '14. Yeah--no chaos/drama there.

Again, I say this as a neutral party and no rooting interest but the things I was able to witness and have heard from friends in the industry--this kid is has a lot of growing up to do and his recruitment is playing out as a desperation plea to UK in public. Shouldn't have played game....and maybe this wouldn't be necessary. For UK, think they'll be fortunate he did and they can move onto better player.
Click to expand...

Cal has had a penchant for these types over the years for some reason. I think its cost him too. If he's an athlete trying to be a basketball player Cal will want him. If Cal wants to win he needs to get the basketball player that can occasionally be very athletic.
 
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If Simmons was a 4-star kid that loved UK, you guys would be ok with taking him.

If I was Cal, I'd take his commitment only if he understood he was probably a 2-year min guy and would most likely not start next year. Id call Fox and reinforce to him that he was our No. 1 PG recruit.

Simmons may not be an elite PG right now, but he's still an elite talent. U don't say no to a guy like that. It's kind of like the James Young vs. Wiggins recruitment.

I'd still take Young over Wiggins because he loved UK.
 
Just luv how we pretend to know the inner workings of Cal's recruiting and the inner workings inside a kids head. Nice.
 
Simmons can't shoot. Make him wait and take him only if you cannot get Fox Alkins and Monk. Simmons is not as good as any of those guys.
 
yoshukai said:
Curious if Cal would be could convince both Simmons and Fox to be the next Wall/Bledsoe ? But then there's Monk . We finally have an elite player that is a lifelong Cat fan , but we are in on possibly the no. 1 player in the class who plays the same position. A lot will depend on Ulis also . GREAT problem to have!
Click to expand...
Lol no

No.

No.

Don't take Simmons. Go all out for fox.

Fox and monk. That's it. That's the goal. It's not that hard. Let Simmons go to unlv or Xavier.
 
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Cornered Weasel said:
Take whoever pulls the trigger first!
Click to expand...

RondoBaller21 said:
Everyone needs to stop slamming this Simmons kid. He's a damn fine player that UK would take his commitment on the spot. It's like splitting hairs between fox and simmons. UK would be very lucky to have either one.
Click to expand...


If Ulis does not return, we will have a better team with Fox, judging by the current play of these two.

Cal's teams do not bode well with a subpar PG.
 
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RondoBaller21 said:
Everyone needs to stop slamming this Simmons kid. He's a damn fine player that UK would take his commitment on the spot. It's like splitting hairs between fox and simmons. UK would be very lucky to have either one.
Click to expand...

I second your opinion
 
wailupebob said:
I second your opinion
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Then you guys have not seen these kids play. There is a reason why two of the major services have Fox as top 5 and Simmons as late teens.

As for UK's needs I am only referring to the PG position. Fox is much better. Either player will make a team better.
 
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