Skal eligible
- Thread starter melvinm
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As long as Scal did not profit or was not aware of his guardian trying to shop him then there is nothing the NCAA can do. For example Cam Newton was shopped by his father but Cam allegedly did not profit or know his father was asking for money so the NCAA ruled him eligible. I feel comfortable Scal was not involved and did not profit in any way if he was shopped by his guardian.
Would it be a violation if Skal's handler was openly asking for a diamond-lined leotard in exchange for Skal's services?
They need to make a distinction between some grifter trying to make money off of an innocent high school player that has no idea of what they are up to and having somebody shopping you on your behalf with your full knowledge. If they can link money to a player then that is one thing (a la Maggetti) but if not (a la Cam) then the player should not be punished for what some slimeball did.
Kids play for different club teams all the time...and that is not an NCAA issue at all. How is that even an issue?
Shoe contract potential?....Every single one of us would like a shoe deal. It is also clear that the shoe companies run exposure tourneys all over the place. If I start a club I too would want to know how to get a shoe deal for my club so I could get nice uniforms and shoes. That attracts top players to your club. Clearly no shoe company is going to sign a shoe contract with a college player or high school player and jeopardize their eligibility. I trust Nike not to pay Skal under the table. That is another idiotic thing to worry about.
Context is everything. Much ado about nothing.
Shoe contract potential?....Every single one of us would like a shoe deal. It is also clear that the shoe companies run exposure tourneys all over the place. If I start a club I too would want to know how to get a shoe deal for my club so I could get nice uniforms and shoes. That attracts top players to your club. Clearly no shoe company is going to sign a shoe contract with a college player or high school player and jeopardize their eligibility. I trust Nike not to pay Skal under the table. That is another idiotic thing to worry about.
Context is everything. Much ado about nothing.
Just an observation.....a LOT of posters on this board felt that Newton should have lost his eligibility. I really don't see anyone taking that stance with Skal. Are we consistent or not? Just an interesting question....
I know the Kanter fiasco is still on a lot of UK fans minds. That was total BS. But this is different. Cal said Skal will play. Period. Sandy Bell is scary tough and knows compliance more than anyone. Both Cal and Sandy Bell got abused with Kanter and I can't see any way in hell they'll lose this time. I guess I could eat my words but I'd bet everything I own that Skal plays. Eligible from day one.
Yes, you are correct, Cam was let off the hook because he didn't know but the NCAA closed that loophole right after that case.
See that's one of those cases where the NCAA stood to profit off the player in question so they worked hard to find a reason to keep Cam Eligible. How strongly do we feel the NCAA wants Skal to be eligible?
Honestly, In my opinion, unless there's something we don't know about, the NCAA has no reason to declare him ineligible. Doesn't sound like anyone actually TOOK money. Hamilton may have asked for some but how do you declare a kid ineligible based on that.
Look, Skal will be cleared, I've always believed that. The NCAA is just doing their job here. Yes they are taking their sweet time but at least we know they are working on it. I bet they clear him this week. It's only Tuesday and they look to be getting the answers they need.
I don't think kids should be punished or compromised over things that their parents do. Now if the kid is getting a cut, different story.
Scratch that...I actually think it should all be allowed, as long as it is above board. Amateurism is a joke. But under the current rules, I don't think it should impact an athlete's eligibility because someone close to them had a hand out.
I think Cam Newton should of been suspended .... which with 1 game left would of been for the rest of his college career. No matter how much you take..... if you can pay it back you should be able to play with only missing games based on how much. Thats the way the rules should be.
A kid in Skal's case shouldn't be punished too harshly because the guy isn't his parent.. just a guardian who took him in from Haiti. Whats Skal's choices? He can either hitch rides and a boat back home or be used by Hamilton
Yes Enis does come to mind. But his family admitted to the money that changed hands with his situation over seas where things are handled differently. That was a travesty. But this one is not even close to the Kanter situation. To deny the kid in his situation the ability to play just makes no sense at all.
Newton was bought for $200k. What in the hell does that have to do with Skal?
The accusation is the same....parent or guardian is shopping the kid around without the kid's knowledge. I think it is a legit question.
It wasn't an accusation with Newton. It happened and his dad was paid. Once again- what in the hell does this have to do with Skal?
Auburn kept quarterback Cam Newton eligible by successfully arguing to the NCAA that a former Mississippi State player did not act as an agent during his recruitment by that school.
Auburn released documents related to the NCAA's investigation into the recruiting allegations surrounding Newton, the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 NFL draft pick, on Friday in response to an open records request by The Associated Press.
The documents indicate Newton's father, Cecil Newton, and ex-Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers sought from $120,000 to $180,000 for the quarterback to sign with the Bulldogs out of junior college but didn't ask any other school for money.
The NCAA informed Auburn in October that it found no major violations in its investigation of Newton's recruitment or other unrelated pay-for-play allegations and was ending a 13-month probe.
Was this really proven? I remember it being an accusation that he was looking for around 180-200K, but never read where it was actually proven that he received it.
Is this directed at me? If so, I'm not comparing the two, never have. I'm just wondering if there's documented proof that Cecil got money, or if this is just hearsay. I know there's documented proof that he asked for money, via another, but I don't know about proof of actually getting any.
Edit: Sorry, when I looked back at my comment I see that it quoted your whole quote, when it should have only quoted the part about the Newton's getting money. I can see the confusion.
It appears someone got owned in this thread and is now throwing a little girl fit thinking if he screams enough everyone will back off and let him live in his make believe world.
I have to admit, I've never understood this one from the beginning. Skal is clearly a great player, and by all accounts a good kid. But it's been known since he first showed up on the circuit that the handler is trouble. When you're at the level UK is at right now, this is just not a situation to get involved with IMO. And yes, I know if you steer clear of every elite player with a questionable handler, you're not going to have many to chose from. But rarely are the issues so openly discussed as they have been with Skal's handler.
I mean, let's be honest here; before Skal picked UK there were numerous people on this board saying UK had no chance because the "players" involved would never allow it to happen.
So I'm not sure what many in this thread are upset about, other than, of course, the idea that our best or second best player may very well miss significant time. But when you gamble, you don't always win - that's why it's called gambling. And UK gambled in this situation; there's no way to spin it otherwise.
I mean, let's be honest here; before Skal picked UK there were numerous people on this board saying UK had no chance because the "players" involved would never allow it to happen.
So I'm not sure what many in this thread are upset about, other than, of course, the idea that our best or second best player may very well miss significant time. But when you gamble, you don't always win - that's why it's called gambling. And UK gambled in this situation; there's no way to spin it otherwise.
Alexander from Kansas, lost eligibility because his family accepted some money.
But this is different....this is not Skal or his family but his handler. If the NCAA punishes this kid because his handler it slimeballing around then that's just stupid. Rule wise...I'm not sure they can do jack crap to Skal for his handler asking questions or for that matter to have actually received some money as long as Skal hasn't profited from it.
What in the difference in his H.S. team being funded by people versus an AAU team being funded. AAU teams are totally funded. What's the difference?
That was also when other schools including UNC were recruiting him. A few high profile schools kept on him up until the day he picked UK. Now all of a sudden, they "backed off him" and knew all along he was trouble.
I really don't think there's going to be an issue. The media (who gets hits), and fans of schools that a) were shunned by him, and b) just straight UK haters seem to be the only ones promoting this story. Hell, we have resident KU fans here that love to bring it up every chance they get.
While we may not know the answer, I have to wonder what exactly being his "handler" really means and how the NCAA understands that relationship?
He isn't the first player to have a handler and he isn't the first player to have a handler looking out for number 1 either. Back in the day, Patrick Ewing had his HS coach as his handler and the same kind of stories were floating around him too. I recall an anonymous college assistant claiming that he was told that if he wanted to even talk to Ewing, it was going to cost some big bucks. (I may have just combined two separate stories into one because I am going on memory but that stuff was going on a long time ago too.)
I think this is more about Skal's guardian and the AAU coach possibly being pissed off they couldn't get Skal to play for Memphis. If Cal/UK are confident that Skal will be playing, and all signs point to that being the case, then I'm going to be confident with them.
Why do you think something needs to be spun? UK has given a great player and great kid access to the best possible facilities and preparation for his future career.
If the NCAA wants to mess with that, that's on them, not Cal or UK.
What do you think we should have done? Step back and let some other school cut a check to his handler to procure his services?
I fail to see how there is anything wrong with our actions. Hopefully, Skal is quickly eligible. If not, it's another chance to shine the light on NCAA hypocrisy. Sometimes it's about more than just wins and losses.
If he doesn't play then at least like Kanter, he'll claim UK as is school in the NBA. and it would be another player Cal helped mold and gets credit for.
The only reason to back off would be if UK might get in trouble for it.... and UK wouldnt and won't.
The only reason to back off would be if UK might get in trouble for it.... and UK wouldnt and won't.
easterwood is now jumping back into the conversation about Skal and Hamilton . once Skal committed to UK easterwood went on the radio here in Memphis and told of his 20 year experience with Hamilton. unfortunately easterwood was probably telling the truth. Hamilton has taken in young men over the years and given them a roof over their heads and food in their bellies with the hope someday they could make him a rich man. that's just the facts. their have been kids who did not progress so he basically turned his back on them to fund others.
ok now we do know that and as slimy as it seems the man did give some young men a chance out of poverty. including Skal. just imagine how much it would cost to house and feed multiple young men. not to mention the cost of training and travel.
what I am sure Hamilton did was ask. he simply put it out their how could he make cash to help with Skal and probably his own bills.
I have heard from more then one local guy involved with local HS athletics that Hamilton came to them asking for advice on how to maybe generate some cash off of Skal and his playing ball.
no question in my mind Hamilton asked. but from what easterwood and others said their where no takers. so my question is, if you ask without accepting a dime does that qualify as a ncaa violation?
one thing Hamilton did that I felt like cal and UK asked, was to completely take Skal off the grid after he committed. no one had access to the young man and Hamilton was keeping his mouth shut. who knows how this will end up. the ncaa is digging deep. but if all they find is that Hamilton was just asking but never accepted I would think all would be good.
if you want to hear that old interview by easterwood I think it's under sports 56 in Memphis old pod casts. it was pretty interesting on his take of Hamilton and how he just had no idea how to manage this young man.
ok now we do know that and as slimy as it seems the man did give some young men a chance out of poverty. including Skal. just imagine how much it would cost to house and feed multiple young men. not to mention the cost of training and travel.
what I am sure Hamilton did was ask. he simply put it out their how could he make cash to help with Skal and probably his own bills.
I have heard from more then one local guy involved with local HS athletics that Hamilton came to them asking for advice on how to maybe generate some cash off of Skal and his playing ball.
no question in my mind Hamilton asked. but from what easterwood and others said their where no takers. so my question is, if you ask without accepting a dime does that qualify as a ncaa violation?
one thing Hamilton did that I felt like cal and UK asked, was to completely take Skal off the grid after he committed. no one had access to the young man and Hamilton was keeping his mouth shut. who knows how this will end up. the ncaa is digging deep. but if all they find is that Hamilton was just asking but never accepted I would think all would be good.
if you want to hear that old interview by easterwood I think it's under sports 56 in Memphis old pod casts. it was pretty interesting on his take of Hamilton and how he just had no idea how to manage this young man.
Absolutely not. Even if he did ask, and someone gave him money, it still wouldn't matter according to the Cam Newton case. If the NCAA is consistent, this will be no issue whatsoever.
Don't believe anything Easterwood says. He's also made libelous statements in the past when local kids left Memphis for better schools. I wish UK would sue him.
Wouldn't matter if he asked. the fact is that Skal's abilities + UK meant that he would be a millionaire after one year here. That, my friend, is fact. If Hamilton saw that there were no takers, he may have steered Skal to UK knowing he would solidy his draft stock.
or
He realized that there would be no need to put the kid's eligibility into question knowing he would come to UK and be a top 5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. This would mean that Hamilton would be a greedy muther f'er if he cant wait for 8 month for a payday.
or
He realized that there would be no need to put the kid's eligibility into question knowing he would come to UK and be a top 5 pick in the upcoming NBA draft. This would mean that Hamilton would be a greedy muther f'er if he cant wait for 8 month for a payday.
No offense, but the NCAA has never been consistent. However, I haven't read anything yet that convinces me that Skal will be ineligible.
It seems pretty clear to me, just from the consistency of the various reports from various sources that I've read about, that Hamilton was looking to bring in money for himself from Skal's basketball ability. But that, in itself, is not a violation. The question is, did Hamilton receive money that can be directly tied to Skal? If he had no takers, it's all obviously a moot point. It seems pretty clear, given the fact that Hamilton moved Skal around and ended up starting this foundation and a private team, that nobody was cooperating. But even if some money was given in the name of Skal to help fund this foundation, the Cam Newton case should also make that a moot point. As others have said, if the NCAA is consistent in any way, this should all be fine.
The thing that worries me, and others I'm sure, is that the NCAA has never treated Calipari or UK is any consistent way. The Enes Kanter situation made that perfectly clear. There was no way Kanter was going to play that season. It didn't matter if the cooperated or not. Others did the same thing both before AND after Kanter and they all were able to play. But because it was UK, no dice.
I will say this- if there is ANY way Emmert and the NCAA can stick it to UK and Calipari, they will. Our only real hope is that, though Hamilton may have shopped, nobody was buying- or the money can't be tied in any way to Labissierre. I'm thinking it will be fine in the end and Skal will be eligible.
The thing that worries me, and others I'm sure, is that the NCAA has never treated Calipari or UK is any consistent way. The Enes Kanter situation made that perfectly clear. There was no way Kanter was going to play that season. It didn't matter if the cooperated or not. Others did the same thing both before AND after Kanter and they all were able to play. But because it was UK, no dice.
I will say this- if there is ANY way Emmert and the NCAA can stick it to UK and Calipari, they will. Our only real hope is that, though Hamilton may have shopped, nobody was buying- or the money can't be tied in any way to Labissierre. I'm thinking it will be fine in the end and Skal will be eligible.
