I don't think anyone doubts that Travis bleeds blue. And, I would bet that most UK fans realize that, having been recruited over, he might have doubts about whether he will ever start at KY. My third point is this: a vast majority of the American population would be very happy to be able to retire with a nice home paid for with one or two million dollars in the bank. For Travis to go for Maximum NIL is a reasonable path for him to take. Getting a good NIL package elsewhere, and the chance at better playing time, AND having that cash at the start of his working life; who can blame him?
Travis Perry
- Thread starter DraftCat
- Start date
I doubt how much he bleeds blue. Yes I’ll say it.
Most kids that grew up in this state would gladly take 250K, a scholarship and an opportunity to wear the blue and white, fight to get better and wait our turn to earn a spot. Travis didn’t. I’m not mad about it, but I’m not going to pretend his own desire to dribble the ball doesn’t outweigh his pride in being clothed in that one of one jersey.
Before you come at me, check my history. I’ve been more pro-Perry that most. It’s time to be honest about the whole thing though.
Several years ago, I would agree. But NIL has changed that mindset for everyone.
250k per year for 4 years wouldn't even be 650k after taxes, and that isn't much in today's economy. Perry is a type of player that can probably demand higher in a single year if he can get some PT. He's going shooting talent and playmaker skills which is highly coveted.
The scholarship he can get anywhere.
I am born and raised in Lexington, have been a UK fan since I can remember knowing about sports. I would probably have to make the same decision if I were in his shoes. It's long-term thinking vs. Short-term in terms on Financials and earning potential.
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I do think there is one additional thing to consider related to long-term thinking...and I have no idea what the right answer would be for him or anyone else.
What has the best long-term potential...
1. stay a Wildcat for 4 years while earning maybe $250k per year, but by staying all 4 years, you become a beloved Wildcat player, and that provides networking, etc. to likely set you up for life in a multitude of professions.
2. Transfer to Vandy for maybe significantly more NIL money, become a valued player and alumn with networking from a very affluent university...this may pay even more dividends across a lifetime.
In the end, it's really understandable financially for either choice. So, it probably really comes down to desire to actually play meaningful minutes.
Commodore Perry
Naw I’m saying don’t kill yourself playing 35-40 min a game when you can play 20-25 and win. If you’re wanting to “be the man” and go to a losing program well in my book that’s not success. Jaxon I was just using as an example of the type of player we are missing from this roster that could fall out of the draft and head back to college for another year
Idk does he? Idk anything about Perry and his love of UK. Saw vandy emerging there with Maryland and ole miss. The highest bidder even for TP.
Going the way of Phil Cox he was another Ky Mr.Basketball that had a decent career at Vandy i hope Travis does also if he ends up there
1. 650K is a lot of money. There are people working at McDonald's making minimum wage that struggle to get by. Travis Perry making a million and keeping 650 will be just fine. I understand "But I'm thinking about setting my family up forever." But 650K after taxes--when everything is being paid for--let's not act like "it's not much."
2. If you stay and improve, you get paid more.
Vandy must be more appealing to him now, if they are, it's probably because the NIL is as much or a little more than Ole Miss, and the proximity to home is a big deal. It will be between those two schools, with them coming in late like this, it might be close to being a thing. If Travis were to go to Vandy he would join a list of several Kentucky high school players that went there from Kentucky. Barry Goheen, Al Miller, Phil Cox, Dan Langi and Joe Ford among others.
Ehh, it would be an lot better if he can make that per year instead of it being the total for his collegiate career. 650k isn't that much in today's world. A nice house goes for at least that much.
Perry going somewhere he can play and have the potential to earn well over that amount is the smart choice.
You have to get PT to be able to improve. When you're automatically the 12th or 13th man here in year 2 but elsewhere you are 6th or 7th, it's the smart move to go where you get a greater opportunity.
If you were the lowest paid person in your job and provided the fewest growth opportunities, but you had another good company offering you more money and opportunities for growth and advancement, which are you going with?
I don’t know about seven figures but I could definitely see Perry doing well for Buzz Williams. When we had a defense ranked mid-50s nationally or a tad better at very best playing only our best defenders, you insert a hole into that and you just get burned. Thats what happened to us.
In a Buzz Williams top 10 defense you might blank out Perry’s spot on defense and still have a top 30 effective defense. Buzz Williams can hide you in this defense.
Then bring Perry in situationally to play his natural position instead of pg in a complicated system as a freshman, and his range and IQ could make him a very handy asset. Something I would have loved to see here in year two with our very hard-nosed roster.
In a Buzz Williams top 10 defense you might blank out Perry’s spot on defense and still have a top 30 effective defense. Buzz Williams can hide you in this defense.
Then bring Perry in situationally to play his natural position instead of pg in a complicated system as a freshman, and his range and IQ could make him a very handy asset. Something I would have loved to see here in year two with our very hard-nosed roster.
That would actually be a cool nickname lol.
If he goes to Vandy he gets to lose to UK twice next season.
Pope will go at him whenever he checks n just like opposing sec coaches did this past season at UK.
If you listen to some people here, who needs a couple million at the start of your working career when you could be “set for life” selling cars in Lexington or insurance in Eddyville because of adoring UK fans or something.
Judging by the fact some of these people are legitimately upset that a basketball player is transferring because he wants to play, not watch, basketball, it’s a safe bet they will.
How dare he not want to sit on the bench for 4 years. Doesn’t he know what this jersey means? (Sarcasm font)
Agree.
It’s close to home, fan expectations aren’t anywhere near as high, and I believe he was interested in engineering. Vandy has a top 40 engineering school. UK is top 100.
A degree from Vanderbilt wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to have for the job market.
If he goes to another school where he's going to get a lot more playing time now, then I don't see that school being all that good. So I don't see how that school is able to pay him more NIL than he's getting now. I would expect his total NIL over 4 years at Kentucky, plus the benefits of just being at Kentucky, would be much more than he could get anywhere else while getting more playing time.
The bennies on here offering career/life advice to this kid like they're Tony Robbin’s!
Agree and Noah didn't bolt despite all the new additions. I have always felt Noah is much mentally tougher than Perry. I still wish Perry well. I'm not gonna hate on a kid.
I think a large portion of the fanbase sees a kid that looks just like they did and feels that they are somewhat the same.
He could wind up being one of many Ky kids who become stars at Vandy. I bet there are 10-15.
I love the kid and hope he does great at Vandy. Truthfully though, I look at Ansley Almonor, who was born in New York, but was chomping at the bit to give up his last year of eligibility to wear that uniform even though it meant likely giving up all the minutes, all the shots, etc. To me, that’s what it means to bleed blue. Being from Kentucky makes you more likely to bleed blue, but not everyone is the same.
I don’t hate a kid for taking more money and more PT elsewhere but I’m also not about to act like 95% of kids in KHSAA right now wouldn’t crawl through glass to have the opportunity that Travis Perry just turned down. As Mark Pope likes to say, he was filtered out.
This is very accurate even if folks don't want to admit it, which is why we're seeing so many "I would've sat the bench at UK and wouldn't have left to go somewhere I could actually play" takes.
If he jumps from UK to ride the bench at Vandy, then that is just ridiculous. Vandy is pretty deep too. I guess even KY kids are hired guns these days. This isn't the sport I grew up watching.
It isn't like Perry rode the bench here either. He got more than he could handle for us last season due to injuries, and Pope put him out there to play with games on the line. You would think that would at least buy some loyalty to stick around, improve, and maybe play for a title at some point.
It isn't like Perry rode the bench here either. He got more than he could handle for us last season due to injuries, and Pope put him out there to play with games on the line. You would think that would at least buy some loyalty to stick around, improve, and maybe play for a title at some point.
The crossover between folks who pound the table for meritocracy and the people who have little actual interest in meritocracy is sky high, what you describe another piece of evidence of such.
Almonor was the perfect textbook case of a guy willing to give up minutes and points to play for his dream school. He exemplifies playing for the name on front of the jersey. He will always be one of my favorite players because of his unselfish attitude and his gratitude for the opportunity.
Wow! Only $650k after taxes and being 22-23 years old! That is a head start that 99% of us did not have. I am rooting for Travis and don’t begrudge his decision at all.
He is going to make at least $300k more (on the low end) and perhaps $600k in one year. Heck, many of us would leave our job for a $25k raise. I hate it, but I understand it.
The guy was obviously recruited over, he was likely reading tea leaves he would be riding the bench two years, he gets an offer to go to the best academic school ( yeah to some guys that counts), be closer to home….it’s a fantastic move.
As much as I wanted Travis to return, this new age of college basketball is great for the players. Can't blame him one bit for wanting to get paid. If only he was a few inches taller so we can see him grow here. Good luck young man.
It's not that much when you consider he could potentially make 3 or 4 times that elsewhere. You didn't start our with his earning potential. He shouldn't settle because most if you all wont ever earn that much. Would you rather have 650k or 3 - 4 million?
If he goes to Vandy, he may play more than he would here but the biggest thing Perry would gain is beinging a graduate of Vanderbilt and having that Vandy diploma hanging on his wall. Regardless of what anyone thinks, feels, or hates, a Vanderbilt diploma is superior to any school in the SEC. Better than Duke. The kid seems like a very bright young man and I will be happy for him.
Tennessee with no state income tax.
I love Perry and wanted him to stay, but at the same time he can do what he thinks is best for him and I won’t begrudge him that. But what I am sick of hearing about is this idea of setting your family up for life. I love all you guys and I know we’re all ‘Cats fans, but do you really think having kids that are spoiled rotten is a great thing? I hear this all the time…”his kids and grandkids will never want want for anything”….I’m a father of three and 58 years old, and I can tell you that giving a kid everything he wants is a recipe for disaster.
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