Shaedon Sharpe eligible for the 2022 NBA draft

[Rockfly78]

According to Kyle Tucker, Cal & UK have known all along that Sharpe was eligible for the 22 draft. And, they consciously tried to hide that from the public. Why hide it if nothing shady is going on? Sharpe is all but guaranteed to be a top 10 pick. Cal tears up scholarships if they are lottery picks & considering a return to college. So, he knows Sharpe is eligible. He’s ALL about getting kids to the NBA, ASAP. According to EVERYONE, Sharpe is a lottery pick & possibly even #1 overall. And, fans are expected to believe that he’s gonna sit this year & put the NBA on hold to play at UK next season?! A possible top overall pick with CAL as his coach?! Lmao.

They’ve known the entire time that Sharpe won’t be in Lexington next season. The “plan” for coming back next year was nothing more than bs interference to buy as much time as possible for Cal to break the news to the fanbase so he could be just as shocked as everyone else. Straight up deceit. Bc he knew ppl would be pissed if a kid was to use all the benefits of UK basketball for his own personal gain while having no intentions of ever playing here. I wouldn’t say that if Sharpe had just gotten cleared or if Cal had just found out. But, he knew.

I just don’t see any other reason to withhold the info on Sharpe’s draft status. Especially, while knowing that fans have been curious & discussing it since he committed. I’ve never seen ANYBODY’S draft status guarded so closely. I guess it’s never NEEDED to be a mystery before. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if the egomaniac actually thought that he could eventually sell the fanbase on this as a regular thing in the future. Especially if Sharpe was to sit the whole season & we still had a great year without him. Gold standard setting trends & shit. I’m beyond sick of this dog & pony show.

Well how about this…..why would Cal talk about the NBA draft right before or even during our season? You realize that if he even utters the word “NBA” at all our fans completely lose their shit.

 

[Rockfly78]

Going to have to completely disagree with this line of thinking.

We’ve got a team this that year that’s currently ranked #3 in the nation on Kenpom and #4 in the nation by ESPN BPI, and looks to be a legit contender for a final four.

We also have a huge game coming up with the #2 team in the nation and, according to ESPN BPI, our remaining schedule is the fifth hardest in the nation.

If we’re UK fans who care about winning, then I think the better approach is to enjoy this team and let the staff focus on coaching and not distractions. We can deal with the Sharpe situation after the season ends.

Personally, I’m more concerned about Auburn than I am Sharpe at the moment.

But we must worry. We simply must flip out always.

 

[mdlUK.1]

And that’s cool, if that plan all along wasn’t for him to sit out and declare for the draft before playing a minute. Because THAT is what it seems the plan was. He was never going to play a minute here.

Why the hell would Cal take someone he KNEW would never play? I will need proof that he did that. He has nothing to gain from taking a player that he knows will be a 1st round pick without his help. That makes zero sense except to the haters.

 

[The_Answer1313]

Why the hell would Cal take someone he KNEW would never play? I will need proof that he did that. He has nothing to gain from taking a player that he knows will be a 1st round pick without his help. That makes zero sense except to the haters.

Exactly.

 

[bookerfan66]

But we must worry. We simply must flip out always.

It's a message board.When guys like Travis Branham think the number one recruit won't play at all for UK it's going to be talked about.

 

[HerrosHeroes]

It's pretty simple really. Sending SS into the game against Auburn or KU is pretty much Calipari's only choice now. Anything less and he will be seen as complicit in Sharpe's cup of coffee in Lexington.
I have no sympathy for Calipari in this BTW. He apparently knew Sharpe would become eligible and took him anyway. So, IMO it's time for both to deliver on their obligations to Kentucky Basketball.

All of this is assuming Sharpe doesnt come back like he is currently saying he will.
If he doesnt come back and reneges on his word later, how exactly is that on Cal?

 

[Hoskins91]

And that’s cool, if that plan all along wasn’t for him to sit out and declare for the draft before playing a minute. Because THAT is what it seems the plan was. He was never going to play a minute here.

I doubt it, but even if it was, how does it hurt us?

 

[mdlUK.1]

It's a message board.When guys like Travis Branham think the number one recruit won't play at all for UK it's going to be talked about.

I don’t follow recruiting like some of you. Who is Travis branham?

 

[Gassy_Knowls]

 

[CatsFan4Evr.]

All of this is assuming Sharpe doesnt come back like he is currently saying he will.
If he doesnt come back and reneges on his word later, how exactly is that on Cal?

If Calipari knew that he was eligible for the ‘22 Draft, that he was a top-5 pick and thought that he’d skip the draft to return for a year, then he’s an absolute freaking moron.

 

[BarefootBeach]

It never ceases to amaze me how kentucky fans get worked up regarding decisions of 18-20 year olds. If the kid wanted to solely prepare for the draft there are plenty of pro training camps around the country for him to go. For now let's just stick to his comments regarding playing here next year. If circumstances change and he does go to the draft and does not play here running around with our hair on fire is not gonna do any good. He knows deep down he needs a minimum of 1 year development before he tries to play with elite NBA talent

 

[Aike]

Long thread, what did I miss?

 

[bookerfan66]

I don’t follow recruiting like some of you. Who is Travis branham?

247 sports guy.He usually has good info.

 

[Doodah859]

After having a few hours to digest this, I think the only way he doesn’t play this year is if he just refuses. Cal has to play him now to save face. And if he refuses Cal should send him packing.
But he won’t do that because he’s afraid of the damage it would cause him in the world of handlers etc.

So Cal either knew all about this or he’s hostage to the situation.

The saddest part is that have you have thought about this a few hours

 

[JerseyCat84]

It never ceases to amaze me how kentucky fans get worked up regarding decisions of 18-20 year olds. If the kid wanted to solely prepare for the draft there are plenty of pro training camps around the country for him to go. For now let's just stick to his comments regarding playing here next year. If circumstances change and he does go to the draft and does not play here running around with our hair on fire is not gonna do any good. He knows deep down he needs a minimum of 1 year development before he tries to play with elite NBA talent

I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[Hoskins91]

If Calipari knew that he was eligible for the ‘22 Draft, that he was a top-5 pick and thought that he’d skip the draft to return for a year, then he’s an absolute freaking moron.

So he either plays for us, or never plays college…what’s the downside?

 

[bookerfan66]

I wish we had gone after Nick Smith now.

 

[kartmd]

Cal “refuses for UK to be a hat on the table” for recruits, yet is fine with UK being the doormat for the NBA.

Makes sense.

 

[mdlUK.1]

So he either plays for us, or never plays college…what’s the downside?

Yeah, if he is as great as claimed, we at least get the benefit of our guys practicing against him. I only saw one of his games and he wasn’t impressive but again, only one game.

 

[Rockfly78]

It's a message board.When guys like Travis Branham think the number one recruit won't play at all for UK it's going to be talked about.

Who?

 

[ck-2]

The saddest part is that have you have thought about this a few hours

You should just sign off for good since you obviously don’t care. Then you will have to post under your other three user names.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Yeah, if he is as great as claimed, we at least get the benefit of our guys practicing against him. I only saw one of his games and he wasn’t impressive but again, only one game.

We could have gone after a guy who actually plays for us.Miller or Smith would have been nice gets.

 

[kydmb99]

Oh, you mean the same people that travel all over the country, cheer their heads off for the team in rival Venus, spend their only vacation days on the SECT, drive hours to Rupp to watch them play and spend big money on UK gear?

Those lunatics???

Oh, okay, yeah, those are the same people that make this program relevant. I guess you want us to become Indiana now. Awesome.

This is not okay.

Drama queen alert

 

[CatsFan4Evr.]

So he either plays for us, or never plays college…what’s the downside?

If he plays for us, there is no downside. But do you honestly believe a projected top-5 pick in this upcoming year’s draft is going to turn that down to come back another year? Because nobody in that situation has ever done that. At any school, ever. And it won’t happen with Sharpe. And until he plays this year, getting him for any minutes THIS year is only a pipe dream at this point.

 

[Cawood86]

So you're saying he uses all the available resources to recruit the best players he can. Good for him. It's delusional to not recruit or take a kid like Sharpe even if he goes to the draft. Worth the shot.

So, you're oK with Sharpe never playing a game at UK, when he's here and could, and him just leaving for the NBA. What exactly does UK get out of this and how is good for UK?

 

[Hoskins91]

We could have gone after a guy who actually plays for us.Miller or Smith would have been nice gets.

You don’t know what those situations were so why act like it?

 

[ck-2]

I don’t understand why all of these cool cats on this board who couldn’t care less about any of this stuff waste their time here. I mean if it’s so unimportant what happens with this team and they don’t care about this or that why even come here and post?
I don’t waste my time on things that I don’t care about.

 

[Cawood86]

What should Cal do in this situation? Literally the only option is too just not recruit the #1 player in the class

So you don't think this wasn't discussed at all during his recruitment? You think this just came up a few days ago? Is that what you are saying?

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

You don’t know what those situations were so why act like it?

Yes because I'm sure no other talented players would have come to UK.Are you serious with this shit?

 

[The_Answer1313]

I don’t understand why all of these cool cats on this board who couldn’t care less about any of this stuff waste their time here. I mean if it’s so unimportant what happens with this team and they don’t care about this or that why even come here and post?
I don’t waste my time on things that I don’t care about.

Just because someone doesn't see the Sharpe situation as important doesn't mean they don't care about the team in general.

Everyone that spends a considerable amount of time on this board obviously cares deeply about UK basketball.

 

[Hoskins91]

So you don't think this wasn't discussed at all during his recruitment? You think this just came up a few days ago? Is that what you are saying?

I don’t know, neither do you.

 

[Cawood86]

I never said it mattered. So should Cal have recruited him or not? Mind you there is still a feasible chance he plays for us either this year or next

What benefit does UK get in this scenario if he never pays for UK and leaves for the draft?
You really think this wasn't a topic during his recruitment? Come on.

 

[The_Answer1313]

What benefit does UK get in this scenario if he never pays for UK and leaves for the draft?
You really think this wasn't a topic during his recruitment? Come on.

Maybe Cal was just weighing the chance of playing vs not playing and felt that it was more likely he would play than not and thus recruited him.

I mean who knows. I'm certain this was all discussed before he came. And while I agree with recent articles that it's more unlikely than likely he plays, lets see how it plays out.

It's out there now. Cal will have to at least address this. I'm curious to hear what him and Sharpe have to say.

 

[TJWalkersBurner]

What benefit does UK get in this scenario if he never pays for UK and leaves for the draft?
You really think this wasn't a topic during his recruitment? Come on.

I don’t think it is very likely that Cal knew he absolutely was not going to play from the get go and still took him. Did he think it was unlikely? Maybe. I could also see it starting off as recruiting him totally expecting to play, and then things began to change. I mean up until a few hours ago, the prevailing thought was that he wouldn’t even be eligible for 2022.

 

[westerncat]

We are going to be the laughing stock of every fan base out there .

 

[Cawood86]

Absolutely. He's a Cat and practicing and wearing Kentucky blue. Cal will be in the green room with him and all these recruits will see that.

See what? They can come to UK, never play, sign nice NIL deals, sit on the bench and leave for the draft? Yep, I can see now how this really helps UK.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

There’s a very good chance of that, yes. Several reasons to do it in Cals mind. For one, he views himself as some leader of NBA players but K has punked him on the recruiting trail. Calipari definitely needs something for the ego. Him not playing doesn’t change that Cal still LANDED him. For Calipari and his NBA Godfather routine, that’s enough.

For recruiting, Calipari might think even though he probably won’t play, it can help with future recruiting.

Calipari is always recruiting. Everything he does is for recruiting. He’s not a basketball coach he’s a recruiter.

This is not hard if you are objective and not looking to curve shit for Calipari.

I disagree with you on this poin. It’s logical only if someone always thinks Cal has no integrity. Most objective people do not think this was Cal’s plan all along. Plus we honestly don’t even know he won’t ever play. That is pure conjecture on a couple of peoples stories plus if anyone thinks CJ he’ll go top 5 with not playing for a year out of high school then that’s not rational.

 

[Hoskins91]

If he plays for us, there is no downside. But do you honestly believe a projected top-5 pick in this upcoming year’s draft is going to turn that down to come back another year? Because nobody in that situation has ever done that. At any school, ever. And it won’t happen with Sharpe. And until he plays this year, getting him for any minutes THIS year is only a pipe dream at this point.

Okay, something apparently went over your head. Who cares if he leaves? He never played for anybody else either, so it’s like he just skipped college. It’ll be like he was never here to begin with. Why am I getting upset about a guy who literally had no effect (positive or negative) on anything?

 

[Cawood86]

I don’t think it is very likely that Cal knew he absolutely was not going to play from the get go and still took him. Did he think it was unlikely? Maybe. I could also see it starting off as recruiting him totally expecting to play, and then things began to change. I mean up until a few hours ago, the prevailing thought was that he wouldn’t even be eligible for 2022.

Yeah, I'm sure with all of Cal's NBA contacts, he couldn't find out this info for the kid. Some of you guys sure believe everything Cal says.

 

[mdlUK.1]

See what? They can come to UK, never play, sign nice NIL deals, sit on the bench and leave for the draft? Yep, I can see now how this really helps UK.

And you think the bean counters in charge of the money at UK, will allow that to keep happening? IF it happens.