Akok Akok withdraws from Putnam Science Academy

[Vuce]

If he does go pro he’s got a really long road ahead of him playing for very little and not a lot of attention. Wish him the best in whatever he decides

 

[smoothcriminal]

question: can he workout 1 on 1 with a trainer for the next few months, for example that guy Carmelo and a bunch of others use in NY, aiming to get drafted, and then if he does not get drafted use UConn as his backup plan? Obviously this would require him not to sign an agent... Doesn’t sound like such a horrible idea if all parties are on board...

 

[navery12]

I’d advise you to step back from the ledge, but I fear you may have already taken that leap.

He walked off that ledge the day a certain coach was fired

 

[djct1999]

These post graduate years at PSA certainly have a history. LOL

Maybe Hami provided a blue print? After seeing UConn up close, maybe he enrolls for the second semester, practices with the team and goes on scholly in the fall.

 

[Cuse Socks]

Maybe Hami provided a blue print? After seeing UConn up close, maybe he enrolls for the second semester, practices with the team and goes on scholly in the fall.

Was Hami on scholarship the semester he enrolled at UK? If not then I’m not losing hope yet.

 

[zls44]

Stinks if he is going pro, but I'm confident Hurley will be able to get guys. There's a new energy and people want to play here.

 

[djct1999]

Was Hami on scholarship the semester he enrolled at UK? If not then I’m not losing hope yet.

I don't remember.

 

[Horatio]

This is looking like a certified- NEXT!!!!!!

 

[auror]

Was Hami on scholarship the semester he enrolled at UK? If not then I’m not losing hope yet.

I was thinking this might be the most likely outcome, but I think Hami was on scholarship (he practiced, he just didn't play in games) so maybe not if we can't find one. Scholarships are usually year-long guarantees, no idea if a player can voluntarily renounce one.

 

[Brochacho]

This is either good or bad. Additionally, it may not mean anything.

 

[djct1999]

This is either good or bad. Additionally, it may not mean anything.

It means something. Either good or bad.

 

[Hi-Low]

This is the kid who tried to sit on the bench a few days ago. Let's wait and see how this plays out before we all freak out.

No reason to freak out, the kid seems like he wants to start getting paid.....it's a free country go for it.

At this point I have moved on but wtf knows, it's Madness 365 trying to get inside teenage heads. It's a crapshoot with top 40 players, most think they will be 1 and done anyway.

 

[Mokum]

Was watching NBA a bit today and thinking about this. This teenage boy is nuts if he thinks he is ready to play with those grown men. If in fact that is what he is thinking. Will be interestng how this unfolds. If he does something stupid, we just move on. He is not going to make or break our program, and quite frankly his desire to turn pro asap does not make me think he is the kind of guy we need to get. I want to get guys who will stick around. Veteran teams are the best teams, not one and dones focused on themselves and impressing NBA scouts , clearly looking at college as a temporary stepping stone. We will see what happens in the next few days.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Maybe I’m just being a homer but I feel strangely optimistic about this move. Highly unlikely he’d doing this and not either go pro or commit to UConn. After recent feedback we’ve been hearing about his NBA prospects I like our chances. If he’s going pro straight away he’s a sure fire G leaguer for at least a year or 2. College route makes more sense unless he needs the money.

 

[tcf15]

Strange move. No scholarships for UConn unless someone decides to transfer so don't see him enrolling here for the second semester. Come on down Mr. Coulibaly.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Strange move. No scholarships for UConn unless someone decides to transfer so don't see him enrolling here for the second semester. Come on down Mr. Coulibaly.

Perhaps he enrolls without a scholarship for one semester?

 

[Mokum]

Maybe I’m just being a homer but I feel strangely optimistic about this move. Highly unlikely he’d doing this and not either go pro or commit to UConn. After recent feedback we’ve been hearing about his NBA prospects I like our chances. If he’s going pro straight away he’s a sure fire G leaguer for at least a year or 2. College route makes more sense unless he needs the money.

I can’t believe he needs money. What is his family doing,living outdoors under a bridge? He will have plenty of money soon enough if he follows the right path. Which in my mind would be play at least a couple years in college. You are housed, fed and have medical coverage. Your family can wait a few years to start spending your money.

 

[scuba lou]

Is there a possibility he enrolls for the spring semester? Could he enroll with student aid like Drummond did and go in scholarship in the fall?

 

[navery12]

I can’t believe he needs money. What is his family doing,living outdoors under a bridge? He will have plenty of money soon enough if he follows the right path. Which in my mind would be play at least a couple years in college. You are housed, fed and have medical coverage. Your family can wait a few years to start spending your money.

I have no idea if this applies to Akok, but for a lot of people they don't have the luxury of just waiting a few years for a player to start making money. It's a lot easier said than done

 

[tcf15]

Perhaps he enrolls without a scholarship for one semester?

Perhaps, but I think that's a pretty rare occurrence in CBB. I'd be very surprised if that happens.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

I have no idea if this applies to Akok, but for a lot of people they don't have the luxury of just waiting a few years for a player to start making money. It's a lot easier said than done

Agreed. You never know a families circumstances.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

Perhaps, but I think that's a pretty rare occurrence in CBB. I'd be very surprised if that happens.

True, but it is also pretty rare for a borderline 5 star prospect to drop out this early in the prep school year.

 

[BackAftaThis]

I in no way mean this in a derogatory manner towards anyone, but it’s amazing how close to the vest Akok is keeping all his moves.

With all the people here who have connections either to the UConn staff or PSA staff, I feel like this move just came out of nowhere.

I wonder how much Hurley and the staff are aware of this situation.

 

[WhartonHusky]

What I don’t get is that if he actually plans to spend 7mos preparing for the draft—who pays for that? Presumably he was attending PSA for free. Now he needs a place to live, $$ to train, etc.

 

[BackAftaThis]

What I don’t get is that if he actually plans to spend 7mos preparing for the draft—who pays for that? Presumably he was attending PSA for free. Now he needs a place to live, $$ to train, etc.

Exactly. This is what seems odd to me. Not like a trainer is free. Unless an agent fronts the money to recoup it from Akok’s future contracts.