Drummond returns scholarship to Bradley

[jibsey]

"Next Year" ? I just wet myself.

 

[mets1090]

"Next Year" ? I'm wet.

 

[Danzz]

I have a lot of respect for Kara. She really tries to do her homework. Furthermore she has stayed above the fray on the Tennessee UConn problems on the women's side. So when she made that statement that AD was paying his own way I had really scratched my head thinking that wasn't like her. And it wasn't. She had the info and we didn't.

Always liked Lawson as a player and commentator. I especially liked the last shot she ever took against Uconn (a miss). She does a great job at staying neutral in the uconn/Tennessee feud.

 

[Gurleyman]

Uhmmm....actually, that was exactly the issue. Read the article, and the articles prior to this one discussing how/why Bradley gave up his scholarship.

A recruited player can always pay their own way, but the issue is whether they still count against the scholarship limit. I understand why the rule is in place - it opens the door for questions about where the money is coming from. But at the same time, the rule is counter-intuitive. If someone wants to pay their own way to attend their school of choice where there are no scholarships available, why should the NCAA deny that opportunity? If this happened at Kentucky - perhaps I'd crack some jokes about a loan from the Bank of World Wide Wes, but I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. If a kid wants to go to Kentucky bad enough to pay their own way, then so be it.

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

A recruited player can always pay their own way, but the issue is whether they still count against the scholarship limit. I understand why the rule is in place - it opens the door for questions about where the money is coming from. But at the same time, the rule is counter-intuitive. If someone wants to pay their own way to attend their school of choice where there are no scholarships available, why should the NCAA deny that opportunity? If this happened at Kentucky - perhaps I'd crack some jokes about a loan from the Bank of World Wide Wes, but I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. If a kid wants to go to Kentucky bad enough to pay their own way, then so be it.

fair enough, i stand corrected.

 

[HooperScooper]

I just sent an e-mail to Eammon Brennan at ESPN.com and Matt Norlander at CBSSports.com with the links. Let's see if they set the record straight or bury this.

Not a word about this yet on any of the national sports web sites. Of course when this happened originally it was perceived to be something negative and it was all over the news. When it's something positive like this that corrects what they already publicized before it gets no ink. Typical media handling of the news.

 

[pepband99]

I guess we should never doubt Kara Lawson. Not for nothing but I think Kara is a terrific commentator, really does her homework and she is smart as a whip. I couldn't stand her when she played for the Vols but she has won me over.

A big +1. We've seen enough horrid commentators in our collective lifetimes, and she's NOT one of them.

 

[nomar]

You know what, I'd rather ESPN et al didn't cover this.

Haters gonna hate all over again. Doesn't matter what happens -- anything involving UConn and the NCAA brings the dbags out of the woodwork.

As to Lawson, I was surprised mainly because I have found her to be pretty well informed. So that was weird. She should have explained herself better, actually. Because while she was right, it was sort of breaking news.

 

[ctchamps]

You know what, I'd rather ESPN et al didn't cover this.

Haters gonna hate all over again. Doesn't matter what happens -- anything involving UConn and the NCAA brings the dbags out of the woodwork.

As to Lawson, I was surprised mainly because I have found her to be pretty well informed. So that was weird. She should have explained herself better, actually. Because while she was right, it was sort of breaking news.

Actually she did what you want from the media. She didn't hype it up to become a story.

 

[Kitaman]

Actually she did what you want from the media. She didn't hype it up to become a story.

She could have assumed being in UConn country that this was not fresh news, meaning that we already knew. After all it was a locally covered game. The other thing too is that it isn't really an impact announcement in the sense of a major roster change, its only a technical matter.

As Drummond gets more exposure the nice character story line will be revealed for him and MB, especially if MB can get on the court.

 

[DogMania]

What's the most exciting part of this quote?

“I told Mike, `Don’t do that, man. I’ll pay my way and take a scholarship next year.'

I've learned over the years not to hang my hat on statements like this. Now I'd love to have Andre return for another year. What fan wouldn't!?!?! But if he ends up the clear choice for the first or second pick in the draft, that will be awfully tough to turn down.

The one thing that gives me hope is that AD and his family came so close to having him prep instead of going to UConn. I'm still not sure what was behind that. If it was so that he wouldn't have to grow up so quickly by making the jump from HS to College and then College to the NBA so quickly, then maybe he and his family will want him to enjoy another year of college and be more equipped and better prepared to make the jump from playing hoops with boys to playing it with grown men and all that goes with the world of the NBA. But if it was more so that he wouldn't be exposed and hurt his draft position, then no way will he delay the jump to the next level.

I really don't know what was behind all that, but I'd be shocked if he and his family take the chance of returning and possible suffering a career ending or draft position impacting injury.

There's a lot of ball to be played before such a decision needs to be made. Frankly, I'm not going to worry about it and simply enjoy every minutes of AD that we get this season.

 

[Chief00]

“I told Mike, `Don’t do that, man. I’ll pay my way and take a scholarship next year.'

I've learned over the years not to hang my hat on statements like this. Now I'd love to have Andre return for another year. What fan wouldn't!?!?! But if he ends up the clear choice for the first or second pick in the draft, that will be awfully tough to turn down.

The one thing that gives me hope is that AD and his family came so close to having him prep instead of going to UConn. I'm still not sure what was behind that. If it was so that he wouldn't have to grow up so quickly by making the jump from HS to College and then College to the NBA so quickly, then maybe he and his family will want him to enjoy another year of college and be more equipped and better prepared to make the jump from playing hoops with boys to playing it with grown men and all that goes with the world of the NBA. But if it was more so that he wouldn't be exposed and hurt his draft position, then no way will he delay the jump to the next level.

I really don't know what was behind all that, but I'd be shocked if he and his family take the chance of returning and possible suffering a career ending or draft position impacting injury.

There's a lot of ball to be played before such a decision needs to be made. Frankly, I'm not going to worry about it and simply enjoy every minutes of AD that we get this season.

DM Some day I will tell you. As for now I agree with many posters, character does make a difference - and if you are also talented it can translate into good results. I don't think those are slips of the tongue. I think he plans on coming back. But to DM'S point things can change. I think he may be the number 1 pick if he goes - but staying would be the best move long term. He is building a super brand and that will translate into huge marketing dollars off the court. But, for AD I think he is just actively participating and enjoying all aspects of college life - and that's refreshing.

 

[Deadrody]

He is building a super brand and that will translate into huge marketing dollars off the court.

Do you know something I don't know ? Unless you do, frankly, AD is not building any more super brand than about 95% of the other 3000+ D1 basketball players. Don't get me wrong, he's a helluva player, but so is Jared Sullinger. I don't see how AD is busy "building a super brand" any more than Lamb, Napier, or Boatright, at this point.