Vanderbilt: the official SEC team of the Boneyard TM
1. We don't know exactly what Brooks told her or what her options were.
2. We do not know what her level of participation or attitude was in practice and don't know her relationship with the coaches.
3. A coach is reasonably entitled to choose his own players and is well within the bounds of ethics and honesty to tell a player whether he thinks she will play or benefit the team by not playing and even to encourage transfer.
I’ll start by saying I’m biased. I’ve followed Cass’ basketball career since middle school. As such, I’ve become friendly with her family.
Cass is the daughter of a Coach. She has a high bball IQ. She’s a gym rat. First one in the gym, last to leave. She was a team captain this past year. While never playing the minutes she might have wanted, she has completely accepted her role. Ocassional minutes. Great defender. When she got in you would often see her taking a charge. She would be brought in some time specifically for her defense or to shoot FT’s.
She is the definition of a player embracing culture, being an excellent teammate. She graduated with her degree this past December ( 2.5 years), and will be starting PT school in the fall. The PT school admission process has been rigorous, and started last fall. To be able to transfer and get admitted to another PT was not going to happen for the Fall. Additionally, the only other PT program in KY is in Louisville at Bellarmine.
Cass was/is a fan favorite. She grew up in the eastern KY Mountains and has a huge following. Much like any rivalries, the State of KY is divided into Louisville vs KY fans. Eastern KY folks are heavy, heavy KY fans. This is a huge slap in the KY fanbase’s face.
Final two points about Cass is she is getting married this summer. She literally met with the staff to know their workout schedule this summer and planned her wedding around it. By all accounts, she is committed, and thought KY was too. Finally, the PT school worked with her to balance her schedule to account for playing. Everything was in place.
Everyone realizes that Brooks can do what he wants with his roster. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. It’s beyond classless and a slap in the face of a player that has been unyieldingly loyal, at a time when loyalty is severely lacking. With 7 open roster spots, and Brooks history of playing 6-7 players, I can not see a world where he would get 8 additional high quality players. Even if he did, all the intangibles she brings to the program can’t be quantified. She’s a stud, in terms of a role player.
Brooks brought to KY a bunch of red flags, in my opinion. This is one more example of his questionable ethics. Keeping his daughter on scholarship, without the history Cass has, is the final slap in the face to Cass, the family and to KY fans who adored her.
But, I’m biased.
