Akok Akok withdraws from Putnam Science Academy

[Bonk]

It is the middle of the season. Not even close to the same situation. Akok apparently wants to enroll for Spring semester.

I know, not comparing the two situations, just saying that sometimes the best thing to do isn’t going to please everyone. And if the staff could get a guy who doesn’t get much tick to leave the program to make room for Akok I’d do that in a heartbeat even if some feelings get hurt

 

[Towney007]

My guys felt REALLY confident he was coming, too. They also said his Dad had a long relationship with Syracuse so it was a matter of getting them on board. Maybe he didn't. Or maybe they got him on board. Who knows.

All I can safely say is no one has any idea what's up after this. We're just gonna have to strap in and hope for the best.

Although again - I just feel like there's a lot of red flags there. I don't like guys who back off of commitments and he had a commitment to PSA. He's clearly into the idea of going pro enough to leave the option open... eh - i'm kind of lukewarm on this even if we get him. I hate the idea of getting into low-end one and dones.. And by low-end - he's not gonna be a high lottery pick. I'd rather not be that kind of program.

 

[Towney007]

I know, not comparing the two situations, just saying that sometimes the best thing to do isn’t going to please everyone. And if the staff could get a guy who doesn’t get much tick to leave the program to make room for Akok I’d do that in a heartbeat even if some feelings get hurt

So i'm not for scholarships getting yanked halfway through a year. Don't wanna be that kind of program and given the mojo everyone's got rght now - i'm not sure that's the message to send.

And even if someone leaves, can they hand over a scholarship if someone leaves halfway through? Is that a thing?

 

[Towney007]

This is just one of the weirdest recruits I can remember. By all accounts things went well. He's been not only at a lot of games, but enthusiastically interacting at them, too. It's just bizarre. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go to say - Syracuse or pitt or something - that's happened before. But to up and go pro? It's just weird.

 

[Pgh2Storrs]

I’m pretty confident our Compliance Dept can make some magic happen (see: Drummond) but I am also confident Danny isn’t going to take a scholarship. Either someone is moving on willingly, there’s a walk on scenario at work, or this isn’t us. As much as I’d love to see AA here, I much prefer Dan Hurley sticking to his principles and keeping his commitment to this team. We’ll see how this plays out...In Hurley I Trust

 

[Chief00]

You also strongly implied Akok was committing after his visit. I understand things change and this is why no one gives crap to BField and Matrim. Just stop trying to take credit for every movement on the trail especially considering you have a mediocre at best track record.

Stand by what I posted late Thursday/early Friday.
2019 Recruiting: - Kofi Cockburn

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Subtle.

He's building a body of work.

 

[JimHurley]

Aren't you a Uconn student? Don't get everyones hopes up. The student manager who told you this probably read he was coming here from the Boneyard.

Former student. My source is not a student manager. Trust me I’d hate to get everyone’s hopes up and then be wrong. I try to put useful info out here. If I’m wrong feel free to lay it on me but I trust the guy telling me this stuff

 

[Scrutineer]

I can't understand all this angst. All we need to do is call Mark Emmert and ask how to go about doing something like a temporary scholarship.

 

[tcf15]

Corey Evans with the late night forecast pick for Akok to UConn after tonight's news.

 

[dennismenace]

Im not completely sure Akok is even on the NBA radar. Remember Akok was ranked outside of the top 70 in his class until one game late in the third live period when he hit a bunch of 3s in front of Slater(? I could be wrong, it was a big name 247 scout) who shot him up the rankings and made him a 5 star the next day. Very raw player. Too raw to even properly grade imo. Right now I’m wondering if he’s going overseas to play.

Also, at this stage of life he looks like a beanpole. We've seen how that looks until getting some legitimate
S & C over a period of time.

 

[Storrs South]

Corey Evans with the late night forecast pick for Akok to UConn after tonight's news.

Wow. Maybe a certain someone on the team is leaving due to frustration over minutes? Just a guess. Otherwise compliance is getting creative through other means if this does happen.

 

[dennismenace]

He's coming on board as a chef, someone in the kitchen will realize he has crazy math skills & he'll get a full academic ride. Soon after coach will notice him in hallway and ask him to stop by the gym and the rest will be history.....there are completely legit ways around the scholarship thing

Hilarious.

 

[Danzz]

While it’d be disappointing to ask a kid to step aside I just don’t think we’re in a position to play nice and pass up on 5 star recruits. Hurley didn’t ask anyone to leave at first probably because we didn’t have any major recruits on the line before, but now we have serious talent at stake. It’s time to be smart not nice.

More likely Hurley cuts a walk on and they find a way financially around the scholarship.

 

[Chief00]

Chief receives lots of feedback and makes adjustments accordingly, if appropriate. Recruiting is sometimes too complex for the typical casual fan, nothing wrong with that, but it’s a factor that we must process.
So Chief will break down Akok in one simple sentence:
Akok is UConn bound, if he achieves minimum scores on SAT for admissions, otherwise he goes pro.

 

[smoothcriminal]

Unreal all the time money blood sweat and tears that have been spent recruiting the kid, and he hasn’t even qualified for college yet and may very well not qualify.

 

[UconnFanNVa]

So your saying his wanting to go pro is more based on him not wanting to be a college student more than anything else?

 

[TitleTown]

Stand by what I posted late Thursday/early Friday.
2019 Recruiting: - Kofi Cockburn

What exactly did you say? From what I gather you posted your typical "UConn leads, but he could go pro" BS. How is playing the middle "standing by" anything?

 

[Ewekon]

santa clause is coming to town before precious or kofi do, so merry christmas everyone!

Who are you?

 

[HawkHusky]

The late night Corey Evans crystal ball is really throwing me for a loop. What a roller coaster this recruitment has been.

 

[Doctor Hoop]

After spending 20 minutes reading, I’m taking this entire thread with a grain of salt.

 

[HuskyHawk]

He never mentioned enrolling during the semester break. I just assumed he meant for 2019. Just said to book it that he will be a Husky.

If he can get here on his own dime, he could use the work with our S&C coach. But I don’t know how that happens.

 

[Mr. French]

Queue the “stop commenting about Chief” people, because what he does in these and every thread is TOTALLY normal!

 

[Huskybass]

So your saying his wanting to go pro is more based on him not wanting to be a college student more than anything else?

No, he didnt say any such thing. He said if he qualifies academically, he will play at UConn. If not, he will consider all of his pro options. No need to twist anything.

 

[nhHusky]

I agree we shouldn’t yank someone’s scholarship. That would hurt morale, and would seem inconsistent with Hurley’s approach to team building.
I seem to recall that a few years back a UCONN player voluntarily stepped aside to allow another to come onboard. If someone were willing to do that, fine. If that means the kid would suffer financially, a Go Fund Me account should be started to help him out. Probably some NCAA prohibition...