2014 PG Devonte Graham | Page 2 | The Boneyard

2014 PG Devonte Graham

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In a shocking twist, Jeff Goodman (I know) is claiming on twitter that the school that tampered with Graham is NC State.
 
HooperScooper said:
Graham's plight is starting to go national. I wonder if that puts pressure on Appalachian State to release him from his LOI.

Yahoo Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab...e-appalachian-state-not-223251994--ncaab.html

CBSSports.com: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...release-coveted-recruit-from-letter-of-intent
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I think it's a matter of time that App State releases him. Unfortunately, when it happens it will likely be too little too late. The fact that this is becoming a national story, it's already painting their program in a bad light. If I'm a recruit that is anywhere borderline high-major or any recruit to that matter who might think "If for some unforeseen reason something happens where I might need to reconsider my decision", is not going to even give App State a sniff.

The longer this takes, the less options Graham is going to have. Teams like UConn are likely going to fill their PG needs with some other player. I guess there's always going to be a team that has an open ship and will take a talented player like Graham even if they have another PG in the fold. It's not uncommon for a team to take a player for depths may it be a back-up or upgrade to who they already have, especially when it comes to the PG position.

IMO, there are two areas that can make a great team good and a good team bad. One is not having enough size to defend the paint and get some easy points in there. I always say, "You can never have too many bigs!" The other is is not having good PG play, which usually means having a solid starting lead guard and at least one who can fill in while he's on the bench. I recall one of the talented MSU Sparty teams that had a ton of talent at the 2-5, but no PG. It killed any chances they had for a deep March Run. I'm sure we can all point to this talented team or that one that just couldn't get things done due to poor PG play.

As a hoops junkie, this would make an interesting thread about what areas of weakness can really bit a team in the ass. I think I'm going to start a new thread on this topic for those interested in chiming in. For example I can remember one or more of our talented UConn teams getting exploited due to poor perimeter D, particularly at the 1 & 2 due to guards that were simply not quick enough to stay in front of the opposing guards. Even the best Team-D scheme can get blown up if the guards can't prevent the opposing guards from blowing right by them and forcing the bigs to have to step up and close off shooting and passing lanes. It's one way that you can get your bigs who might be the strength of you team in early foul trouble and let the game get out of hand real quickly.
 
Appalachian State is getting chewed out by Bilas on twitter.

They're duck*ed.
 
Tim Floyd and UTEP took a beating, they didn't release I. Hamilton.
 
Not releasing a kid is so petty, it says so much about the character of the coach and reflects really poorly on the whole University.
 
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superjohn said:
Not releasing a kid is so petty, it says so much about the character of the coach and reflects really poorly on the whole University.
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I disagree.

Kid gives his word, puts his name on it, and effects how a multi-million dollar business conducts its operations. I'm sure App State stopped recruiting PGs after signing this kid, just like UTEP likely stopped recruiting wing scorers after signing Hamilton. Holding the kids - most of them 18-year-olds who have reached the age of majority - to their word is not the problem.

The problem is that coaches are not held to the same standard. Steve Alford wants to leave UNM for UCLA? Fine - sit out two years, and the job's yours, Stevie.
 
I guess i must be missing something but the kid did sign a LOI. That is essentially a contract. He should be bound to live up to his word. If you break the contract then you should have to pay some kind of a penalty.

If we dont make people honor a contract then whats the point of making them sign it to begin with. Seems to be sending the wrong message. People think that they can always get out of of whatever they have previously committed themselves to. JMO
 
Coaches don't honor any contracts, they can leave whenever they feel like it without sitting out a year. Why on earth should players be held to a higher standard than coaches.
 
FASTEDDY said:
I guess i must be missing something but the kid did sign a LOI. That is essentially a contract. He should be bound to live up to his word. If you break the contract then you should have to pay some kind of a penalty.

If we dont make people honor a contract then whats the point of making them sign it to begin with. Seems to be sending the wrong message. People think that they can always get out of of whatever they have previously committed themselves to. JMO
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No it's not a contract it's restrictions just like bilas said. unpaid employee at that. I find it mind bending a uni would want a disgruntled athlete on their hands anyway smh
 
FASTEDDY said:
I guess i must be missing something but the kid did sign a LOI. That is essentially a contract. He should be bound to live up to his word. If you break the contract then you should have to pay some kind of a penalty.

If we dont make people honor a contract then whats the point of making them sign it to begin with. Seems to be sending the wrong message. People think that they can always get out of of whatever they have previously committed themselves to. JMO
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Not really a contract when the school doesn't have to honor a LOI, which in some cases they have done for their own selfish reasons.
 
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Matrim55 said:
I disagree.

Kid gives his word, puts his name on it, and effects how a multi-million dollar business conducts its operations. I'm sure App State stopped recruiting PGs after signing this kid, just like UTEP likely stopped recruiting wing scorers after signing Hamilton. Holding the kids - most of them 18-year-olds who have reached the age of majority - to their word is not the problem.

The problem is that coaches are not held to the same standard. Steve Alford wants to leave UNM for UCLA? Fine - sit out two years, and the job's yours, Stevie.
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There are good arguments to be made on both sides of this issue. In this case though I think not releasing him is pretty harsh given that (1) he first asked for the release in February, so they would have had the Spring period to recruit (it's not a situation like Isaac Hamilton where the team only found out over the summer) and (2) the reason the kid wants out of the LOI is because he 'blew up' and it became apparent that he has the opportunity to play at a much higher level of competition (I'm pretty sure if Jason Capel had signed an LOI with Hampton instead of UNC, and during his senior year got high major buzz that suggested he could probably go to UNC, he'd have wanted out of his LOI too).

In any event, I think schools can grant a release as to recruiting without granting a full release. I don't see any excuse for App State not to do that here. You have to at least let the kid talk to people and figure out his options, even if you're bound and determined to make him sit out a year.
 
selles said:
There are good arguments to be made on both sides of this issue. In this case though I think not releasing him is pretty harsh given that (1) he first asked for the release in February, so they would have had the Spring period to recruit (it's not a situation like Isaac Hamilton where the team only found out over the summer) and (2) the reason the kid wants out of the LOI is because he 'blew up' and it became apparent that he has the opportunity to play at a much higher level of competition (I'm pretty sure if Jason Capel had signed an LOI with Hampton instead of UNC, and during his senior year got high major buzz that suggested he could probably go to UNC, he'd have wanted out of his LOI too).

In any event, I think schools can grant a release as to recruiting without granting a full release. I don't see any excuse for App State not to do that here. You have to at least let the kid talk to people and figure out his options, even if you're bound and determined to make him sit out a year.
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He's already sitting out a year, isn't he? It seems to me that he universities do not have to renew scholarships from year to year, so why does the LOI carry over for 2 years? It is excessively harsh.
 
@Mengus22: Oh boy. RT @akulawolf: Wait, the mystery tamperer could actually be UConn? Oh my god that's perfect. http://post original url/tNl5b9YosF
 
Capel needs to man up and realize the kid has a dream, is better than his schools level and let him go. This is ridiculous.....

If he said yes to Western Kentucky then I would understand them taking a stand, not App St!!
 
Kid has a handle, ups, superb form on the jumper, great court vision and passing skills. Why would we not want him?
 
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kjk9183 said:
@Mengus22: Oh boy. RT @akulawolf: Wait, the mystery tamperer could actually be UConn? Oh my god that's perfect. http://post original url/tNl5b9YosF
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Lol UConn didn't tamper with him though they might have been the first to ask about him when he went to Brewster. NCST fans trying to deflect when they went after the kid as soon as it was clear Purvis was leaving.
 
He went to HS about a 5 minute walk from NCST campus. Same HS as pistol Pete.
 
Dogbreath2U said:


He looks very good here. Some very nice passing, very quick, nice looking jumper, and can get up and dunk. Even shows him blocking some shots.
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Mix tapes are what they are, but this kid made some sweet passes. He's the kind of kid you'd love to play with.
 
caw said:
Lol UConn didn't tamper with him though they might have been the first to ask about him when he went to Brewster. NCST fans trying to deflect when they went after the kid as soon as it was clear Purvis was leaving.
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NCSU doesnt really need him. The Wolfpack has two McDonalds All Americans at PG in Tyler Lewis (Junior in 2014) and Cat Barber(Soph in 2014). Also have two solid SG's for 2014 transfer Trevor Lacey( junior) and Dez Lee(Senior) and top 50 freshman Caleb Martin.

I think this really is more about Devonte playing high school ball with Coach Gott's son at Broughton than any actual tampering. If we wanted Devonte, we could have had him long before he committed to App State. I doubt any coach in the country watched him more that Gottfried did, seeing as his son was playing every game that Devonte played during the high school season.
 
dunlow66 said:
NCSU doesnt really need him. The Wolfpack has two McDonalds All Americans at PG in Tyler Lewis (Junior in 2014) and Cat Barber(Soph in 2014). Also have two solid SG's for 2014 transfer Trevor Lacey( junior) and Dez Lee(Senior) and top 50 freshman Caleb Martin.

I think this really is more about Devonte playing high school ball with Coach Gott's son at Broughton than any actual tampering. If we wanted Devonte, we could have had him long before he committed to App State. I doubt any coach in the country watched him more that Gottfried did, seeing as his son was playing every game that Devonte played during the high school season.
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I hear ya but let's not throw Gottfried in the smartest coaches category! has he won something? Maybe he doesn't recruit smart? Just saying......
 
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mauconnfan said:
I hear ya but let's not throw Gottfried in the smartest coaches category! has he won something? Maybe he doesn't recruit smart? Just saying......
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I often posted about Devonte on our site and always got intel from the two posters most connected to the staff that we had no interest, even after he asked for his release. Those two are usually on point with their inside info and have a good relationship with the coaches. If we went after Devonte, it was kept very hush hush and I find it hard to believe that someone like Goodman(who most of us HATE) would get the scoop on this one.

I am not saying beyond a doubt that it did or did not happen. Just that we really have very little to gain in regards to signing this kid. We dont need a PG or SG right now and I think State would be better off to pick up a 2015 kid or JUCO player if we need to fill a spot on the roster.

Gottfried's strongest skill is his ability to recruit, that is a fact. He may not be the best in game coach(we have asst. Bobby Lutz for a lot of that) but he can recruit with most coaches in the country. I just dont see why we would tamper to get a kid who would likely ride the bench for at least two seasons. Why wouldnt NC State just let him play a season at App State to get some needed PT and then bring him in as a transfer?

If tampering was an issue, I think the App State coach could have released Devonte to go to any other school but NCSU. I think this is just a way for their coach, Jason Capel(Former UNC player) to save face. He has been getting raked over the coals by the media lately. If there was tampering, dont you think it would have been made public before now ? Just a coach being vindictive in my opinion. I wish the best for Devonte and hope he gets to play next year(at any school but App State). He has already pushed back his college career by one season. Isn't that enough punishment ?
 
dunlow66 said:
I often posted about Devonte on our site and always got intel from the two posters most connected to the staff that we had no interest, even after he asked for his release. Those two are usually on point with their inside info and have a good relationship with the coaches. If we went after Devonte, it was kept very hush hush and I find it hard to believe that someone like Goodman(who most of us HATE) would get the scoop on this one.

I am not saying beyond a doubt that it did or did not happen. Just that we really have very little to gain in regards to signing this kid. We dont need a PG or SG right now and I think State would be better off to pick up a 2015 kid or JUCO player if we need to fill a spot on the roster.

Gottfried's strongest skill is his ability to recruit, that is a fact. He may not be the best in game coach(we have asst. Bobby Lutz for a lot of that) but he can recruit with most coaches in the country. I just dont see why we would tamper to get a kid who would likely ride the bench for at least two seasons. Why wouldnt NC State just let him play a season at App State to get some needed PT and then bring him in as a transfer?

If tampering was an issue, I think the App State coach could have released Devonte to go to any other school but NCSU. I think this is just a way for their coach, Jason Capel(Former UNC player) to save face. He has been getting raked over the coals by the media lately. If there was tampering, dont you think it would have been made public before now ? Just a coach being vindictive in my opinion. I wish the best for Devonte and hope he gets to play next year(at any school but App State). He has already pushed back his college career by one season. Isn't that enough punishment ?
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Yes, one year is the maximum that makes any sense at all.
 
Dogbreath2U said:


He looks very good here. Some very nice passing, very quick, nice looking jumper, and can get up and dunk. Even shows him blocking some shots.
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Really like what I saw here. He was finishing at the rim with the left and the right and making really smart decisions based on pick pressure. I'm not usually a sucker for these mixtapes, but I came out very impressed.
 
dunlow66 said:
I often posted about Devonte on our site and always got intel from the two posters most connected to the staff that we had no interest, even after he asked for his release. Those two are usually on point with their inside info and have a good relationship with the coaches. If we went after Devonte, it was kept very hush hush and I find it hard to believe that someone like Goodman(who most of us HATE) would get the scoop on this one.

I am not saying beyond a doubt that it did or did not happen. Just that we really have very little to gain in regards to signing this kid. We dont need a PG or SG right now and I think State would be better off to pick up a 2015 kid or JUCO player if we need to fill a spot on the roster.

Gottfried's strongest skill is his ability to recruit, that is a fact. He may not be the best in game coach(we have asst. Bobby Lutz for a lot of that) but he can recruit with most coaches in the country. I just dont see why we would tamper to get a kid who would likely ride the bench for at least two seasons. Why wouldnt NC State just let him play a season at App State to get some needed PT and then bring him in as a transfer?

If tampering was an issue, I think the App State coach could have released Devonte to go to any other school but NCSU. I think this is just a way for their coach, Jason Capel(Former UNC player) to save face. He has been getting raked over the coals by the media lately. If there was tampering, dont you think it would have been made public before now ? Just a coach being vindictive in my opinion. I wish the best for Devonte and hope he gets to play next year(at any school but App State). He has already pushed back his college career by one season. Isn't that enough punishment ?
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How can a coach "tamper" with any kid on his son's team.......to even think he can't talk to him is ridiculous.......I have zero issues even if he did!
 
dunlow66 said:
NCSU doesnt really need him. The Wolfpack has two McDonalds All Americans at PG in Tyler Lewis (Junior in 2014) and Cat Barber(Soph in 2014). Also have two solid SG's for 2014 transfer Trevor Lacey( junior) and Dez Lee(Senior) and top 50 freshman Caleb Martin.

I think this really is more about Devonte playing high school ball with Coach Gott's son at Broughton than any actual tampering. If we wanted Devonte, we could have had him long before he committed to App State. I doubt any coach in the country watched him more that Gottfried did, seeing as his son was playing every game that Devonte played during the high school season.
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First, the kid was a 2013 when the supposed tampering happened so he would be in the same class as Cat.

Second, in 2013 NCSt has some solid PGs in Cat and Lewis but you are talking about a soph and a freshman.

Third, UConn may want the kid for 2014, but in no way wanted him for 2013 with Boat, Napier and Samuel on board.

Fourth, I take my sources and apparently Goodmans (assuming they are different) over some NCSt tweeter misreading a tweet and claiming tampering by UConn. Especially when NCSt fans keep promoting that Ollie tampered with Purvis, when it just didn't happen.

Edit 2: my sources are not saying that NCSt necessarily meant to tamper but that things may have been said that could be construed as tampering.

EDIT: Goodman is a jerk.
 
Dogbreath2U said:


He looks very good here. Some very nice passing, very quick, nice looking jumper, and can get up and dunk. Even shows him blocking some shots.
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Highlight tapes are highlight tapes....but there is no way that kid should be going to Appalachian State.
 
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