Imagine you're a 5 star recruit...

[mlz01]

Imagine you're a 5 star recruit (disregard position) and can choose to play anywhere in the country (exclude UCONN for this exercise). What school would you choose and why?

There are clearly a lot of folks on this board with a great passion for college basketball and knowledge of the game. Many, including myself, say that they would never choose to play for Calipari and can't understand why they get such a wealth of recruits every single year (thus all the posts about it).

I realize it may be hard for people to remove their bias (and sometimes hatred), but am very interested to read some honest answers (especially the "why").

 

[BKLYN]

University of Arizona.

Why? Google image the women of University of Arizona.

 

[mauconnfan]

So many variable to even attempt to be "that kid". Where am I from? What kind of environment do I grow up with - family, financial etc etc? father figure or dependent on AAU affiliations?

I mean we can go about it as fun but we can't really be these kids or at least most of us can't.

Pepperdine - The Wave!

 

[jojipoji]

Somewhere warms with hot chicks. UT, UF, U of AZ, USC, maybe Kentucky if I needed extra cash and liked chicks with missing teeth...

 

[uconnever]

Arizona.....kansas. G-town, maybe but probably not.

 

[MexicoHusky]

I went to the Stanford game last year. North California would be tough to beat. I really like the San Francisco area. Stanford itself was very pretty. I also wouldn't mind a degree that said Stanford or Duke (I'm vomiting).

 

[JimHurley]

Michigan State easily. Izzo is an elite coach and they are always in the Final Four.

 

[businesslawyer]

So many variable to even attempt to be "that kid". Where am I from? What kind of environment do I grow up with - family, financial etc etc? father figure or dependent on AAU affiliations?

I mean we can go about it as fun but we can't really be these kids or at least most of us can't.

Pepperdine - The Wave!

Most importantly, how long do I intend to be on capus before leaving early (because all 5 stars enter college with that thought).

 

[polycom]

Am I getting cash from boosters or not? If yes? then Stanford. If no? ASU.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Probably Stanford. Nice weather, attractive, intelligent women. And when I freakishly tear my ACL my senior season and my career's over, my degree isn't totally worthless.

 

[Mano]

Somewhere warm with lots of coeds. UT, UCLA, Zona, ASU, one of the San Diego schools, Miami, or for a coach who'd really prepare me for the league (where ever Calhoun resurrects his career, jk).

Or maybe I'd pull a Jennings and go to the motherland, viva Italia! That is assuming I'd be one and done. Conversely, if we could go to UConn, I'd stay 4 years and go 4for4.

 

[Walker11]

If I'm 18, my priorities are getting to the League, being on tv all the time and getting tons of attention, both from fans and media. I choose UK. Or maybe Duke. Calipari may not be the best at preparing guys for the NBA, but he sure has done an amazing job at marketing himself as being that guy.

I was an ignorant 18 year old. I despise both programs, but its easy to see the allure for a kid.

 

[partyATkemba]

Don't kill or judge me. Duke.

The history, education, weather, Coach K, exposure.

It sounds ridiculous and I obviously hate them but it makes the most sense to me.

 

[cohenzone]

I'd wonder about their basketball knowledge. How the heck am I a 5 star recruit?

 

[borninansonia]

I'd prefer to play where I could be the star, the go-to-man. I'd rather play as hard as I could and lose than sit on the bench and win.

 

[caw]

I take five of the best academic/athletic public schools and start there: Cal, Michigan, UVA, UNC, Texas. I elimate UNC because of their current scandal and add Arizona as my fifth visit, they get eliminated shortly after my visit. Stanford would be my sixth choice but I'm not sold on Dawkins.

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

Yale.

But I'd actually be going for the education.

 

[nomar]

University of Arizona.

Why? Google image the women of University of Arizona.

They are hotter (and dumber) at ASU.

If I was me, but 17 years old and a foot taller and athletic, I'd pick Stanford.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Arizona. Weather, chicks, okay coach, meh conference I can dominate, exposure. What else could you want if you're likely gone in 1-2 years

 

[mlz01]

Michigan State easily. Izzo is an elite coach and they are always in the Final Four.

this is the type of response that makes a lot of sense to me. MSU would be in my top 3 for sure. Great Coach (basketball wise and good guy from what I've read), great tradition, National exposure, great school.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Coach K and it's not even close.

 

[mlz01]

Don't kill or judge me. Duke.

The history, education, weather, Coach K, exposure.

It sounds ridiculous and I obviously hate them but it makes the most sense to me.

If we throw out our bias, this answer makes sense. I understand when they get top recruits. Other schools, I still don't fully understand. Love him or hate him, you're playing for arguably a top 3 coach ever in college hoops, at a school with great exposure, tradition, fan base, etc.

 

[Stainmaster]

Arizona, Duke, Miami, or Stanford.

 

[mlz01]

Arizona, Duke, Miami, or Stanford.

why Miami? the other 3 I don't think need explanation.

 

[Danzz]

So many variable to even attempt to be "that kid". Where am I from? What kind of environment do I grow up with - family, financial etc etc? father figure or dependent on AAU affiliations?

I mean we can go about it as fun but we can't really be these kids or at least most of us can't.

Pepperdine - The Wave!

I'm with you on the cliffs of Malibu. Give me those dumb long legged blonds with low self esteem. I don't even have a second choice.