Video: Monk's Brother Talks UK and Arkansas at Peach Jam (Good)

[Smashcat]

Kyle Tucker‏@KyleTucker_CJ 56m56 minutes ago
Video | 5-star Malik Monk's brother talks Calipari, Cats and the pull of Arkansas. http://bit.ly/1UOpwVs

I think most Arkansas fans would be nervous after listening to this.

 

[Cat Ballou]

I would seriously bet a paycheck on Malik ending up at UK vs. Arkansas. U can talk all day about the pull of the home school, but when the rubber meets the road, it's about Monk being drafted as high as possible at the end of his freshmen year. That means UK - no contest.

The only question mark is who is already on board before Malik makes his choice. If guys like Alkins, Simmons, or Fultz have already committed, Monk may be left out.

 

[Gametown_baller]

I feel more confident about Malik Monk, and Kobi Simmons committing to Kentucky then I have any recruit since MKG

 

[Smashcat]

I would seriously bet a paycheck on Malik ending up at UK vs. Arkansas. U can talk all day about the pull of the home school, but when the rubber meets the road, it's about Monk being drafted as high as possible at the end of his freshmen year. That means UK - no contest.

The only question mark is who is already on board before Malik makes his choice. If guys like Alkins, Simmons, or Fultz have already committed, Monk may be left out.

Simmons is a PG, won't matter. Alkins will be a late signee. Fultz is a combo who can play some 3. He might scare Monk off but I imagine Cal can make it work. I'd take Fultz in a heartbeat. May not be Monk good but he's a stud.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Put Fultz and Monk on the wing and have back-to-back seasons of a three-guard attack. The spacing would be insanely difficult to deal with for opponents.

 

[Dream Team 13]

Monk can shoot. He is around Wads's height but he may be more athletic than Andrew Wiggins. Quicker than Wiggins certainly. Wiggins is 6'8 thought and Monk is 6'3 or so.

 

[dmacforheisman]

I still think it'll either be Arkansas or UK. Probably 50/50 right now. I don't think he's the Arkansas lock like some people think.

He will be drafted high no matter where he goes though, probably top 5. Anthony Bennett went #1 overall from UNLV. The reigning NBA MVP went to Davidson. If you're that talented it doesn't really matter where you go.

 

[Supafuzz75]

I still think it'll either be Arkansas or UK. Probably 50/50 right now. I don't think he's the Arkansas lock like some people think.

He will be drafted high no matter where he goes though, probably top 5. Anthony Bennett went #1 overall from UNLV. The reigning NBA MVP went to Davidson. If you're that talented it doesn't really matter where you go.

Not sure another Anthony Bennett will ever go #1 again,, lol..

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

I still think it'll either be Arkansas or UK. Probably 50/50 right now. I don't think he's the Arkansas lock like some people think.

He will be drafted high no matter where he goes though, probably top 5. Anthony Bennett went #1 overall from UNLV. The reigning NBA MVP went to Davidson. If you're that talented it doesn't really matter where you go.

Your last statement is not really always true for non-transcendent players. The difference of a few draft spots can be the difference in over $3 million over the first part of a contract. Even in the case of Curry, who you referenced, one could make the case that he'd have gone even higher in the draft had he chosen a school like UK or Duke. As it is, he went 7th, which is about 7 spots too low.

As for Bennett, he was certainly the exception and it's clear he could have actually used better competition and coaching in college, so I'm not sure how that helps your point.

 

[jrpross]

Not sure another Anthony Bennett will ever go #1 again,, lol..

Not if he keeps playing like #2

 

[ia.ukfan]

From the sounds of that I'm almost counting Arkansas out... Clearly his bro is one of the key guys he's listening to and he couldn't have been more clear that internally Malik is being pushed to make his own decision and not consider what anyone wants but Malik. Also said he's "definitely" not a home body. I just can't see him picking Arkansas with those in mind. People can say he's 50:50 or an Arkansas lean all they want and I don't buy it. He's UK or another blue blue type IMO.

 

[dmacforheisman]

Not going to lie, Arkansas fans want him a lot more than we did Goodwin since he's the best player from the state since Corliss Wiliamson and his family has Arkansas ties. He is cousins with Ky Madden who just got done playing basketball here last year. Don't even want to think about the reaction if/when he picks UK.

But I don't think our roster is in that bad of shape as it seems. We will be pretty mediocre next year, but if Monk picks us then every one of our starters in 2016 would be a former ESPN top 150 recruit. We wouldn't have Kentucky talent but we'd be in the top half of the league.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Love to have Simmons and Monk together with a returning Ulis as a 3-guard lineup. They would be good replacements for Briscoe and Murray.

Then if we can get Ayton to replace Labissiere and Bridges to replace Poythress and we are right back in contention.

Matthews, Mulder, Lee, and Wynyard back with another year of experience gives us an improved bench.

I'd like our chances as well as anyone except Duke, if Duke gets what they expect to have coming in and coming back.

 

[Willy4UK]

Monk can shoot. He is around Wads's height but he may be more athletic than Andrew Wiggins. Quicker than Wiggins certainly. Wiggins is 6'8 thought and Monk is 6'3 or so.

Wiggins sucked in college.

 

[GonzoCat90]

I'm sure his cousin Ky Madden will reiterate how little it matters where sure-fire NBA prospects choose to play their college basketball. What really matters is keeping the people who see you at the supermarket happy.

If Ky doesn't convince him, maybe BJ Young will shine some light on his decision. And thankfully BJ never had to go far from home, since Georgia is right next door. Wait. Apparently he plays in Georgia the country. I'm sure the kind folks of Arkansas send him wonderful care packages though.

 

[dmacforheisman]

I'm sure his cousin Ky Madden will reiterate how little it matters where sure-fire NBA prospects choose to play their college basketball. What really matters is keeping the people who see you at the supermarket happy

I hope you're not implying that Madden was viewed as a sure fire NBA prospect in high school. He was a solid 4*, but I'd say being invited to the Grizzlies summer league team is better than a lot of 4*s pan out in college. At least he got the opportunity. It's a crapshoot really...the Harrison twins were viewed as early first rounders based on their high school rankings. If you're good you're good.

 

[miracle7s]

I feel more confident about Malik Monk, and Kobi Simmons committing to Kentucky then I have any recruit since MKG

Really? I'd say KAT was as surefire as surefire can be. The Harrison twins and James Young were pretty solid too, right now I wouldn't even say we are the surefire leader for Monk or Simmons, both could and hopefully will end up here but this is certainly not an MKG or KAT situation.

 

[musrat59]

It would be a big pickup if we were to get Monk but my gut feeling is he will stay in his home state and play for the Hawgs.

 

[bigc45157]

We still have s long wait, no need to fret.

 

[Hoskins21]

Monk is saying a lot of the same things Goodwin did. It won't surprise me if it ends up the same outcome.

 

[GonzoCat90]

I hope you're not implying that Madden was viewed as a sure fire NBA prospect in high school. He was a solid 4*, but I'd say being invited to the Grizzlies summer league team is better than a lot of 4*s pan out in college. At least he got the opportunity. It's a crapshoot really...the Harrison twins were viewed as early first rounders based on their high school rankings. If you're good you're good.

He was somewhere in the 30's by most services. Those guys should go to the league. I agree that coaches can't magically make anyone off the street into a pro, but when guys like Cauley-Stein and Booker are lottery picks, Doron Lamb gets drafted, Darius Miller gets drafted, and even a tiny guy like Tyler Ulis will be drafted but a 6'5 athlete isn't picked--all ranked in similar spots, you just can't pretend the college doesn't help.

It doesn't mean you'll stick, or that you're even a better or worse player, but there's just too much evidence of Cal putting guys in the league, and more importantly to a guy like Monk, of maximizing their lottery status. If you have the tools the NBA already loves, no one puts you in a better position to showcase yourself.

I gave two examples of really, really recent guys who didn't make it despite having the body and athleticism for the league out of Arkansas, but there's no one from Kentucky who has completely bombed. Aaron Harrison is our worst case, and he just inked a 2-year deal and played in two Final 4's while he was here.

Could Monk be a lottery pick anywhere? Sure. But why risk it to make your community happy? They won't be cutting you checks if you don't make it. They want you there for selfish reasons, not because they care about you.

 

[Blueblood22]

Monk is saying a lot of the same things Goodwin did. It won't surprise me if it ends up the same outcome.

Yep, his brother is telling Arkansas fans to be respectful "if" Monk picks UK.

I'm not sure you publicly say that unless he's leaning UK at the moment.

 

[Stonewall12]

Monk is saying a lot of the same things Goodwin did. It won't surprise me if it ends up the same outcome.

Yep. I just hope it is sooner than later.

 

[crestcat]

Your last statement is not really always true for non-transcendent players. The difference of a few draft spots can be the difference in over $3 million over the first part of a contract. Even in the case of Curry, who you referenced, one could make the case that he'd have gone even higher in the draft had he chosen a school like UK or Duke. As it is, he went 7th, which is about 7 spots too low.

As for Bennett, he was certainly the exception and it's clear he could have actually used better competition and coaching in college, so I'm not sure how that helps your point.

Bobby Portis was POY in the SEC and half the UK team was drafted ahead of him

 

[dmacforheisman]

Bobby Portis was POY in the SEC and half the UK team was drafted ahead of him

Lots of heisman winners aren't drafted high either. It's all about projection and what a team needs.

Monk going to Kentucky would give him more publicity and he'd have a better shot at a title but I just honestly don't think him spending one year there would make a GM select him any higher than he would otherwise as long as he had an all-American type year. I think it happens more with mid to late or fringe first round pick type players.

But why risk it to make your community happy? They won't be cutting you checks if you don't make it. They want you there for selfish reasons, not because they care about you.

I think you could say this about every fan base. But I guarantee that if you're from Arkansas and you are a star or even just above average player for UA and you don't make it in the pros you will get your own radio show or be on tv after your career is over. It's a huge marketing deal for companies to have former players work for them since there isn't any other sports competition for the hogs state wide. If a player decides to go elsewhere he should want to live there long term. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just how it is. Altee Tenpenny is pretty much SOL.

 

[crestcat]

Lots of heisman winners aren't drafted high either. It's all about projection and what a team needs.

Monk going to Kentucky would give him more publicity and he'd have a better shot at a title but I just honestly don't think him spending one year there would make a GM select him any higher than he would otherwise as long as he had an all-American type year. I think it happens more with mid to late or fringe first round pick type players.



.

If believing that way makes you happy, but if I were a much sought after recruit, I would take note of second teamers at UK going in the lottery and a UA POY not in the lottery. I would make me wonder what the hell I had to do a UA to make the lottery