Robinson commits to KU

[Mr. Plow]

#18 Rivals & #20 Scout

http://www2.kusports.com/news/2008/o...s_ku/?breaking

Robinson orally commits to KU

By Gary Bedore (Contact)
Posted Friday, October 10, 2008

Thomas Robinson has orally committed to play basketball at Kansas University.

Robinson, a 6-foot-8 forward from Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, said Friday morning he had chosen Bill Self's Jayhawks over runner-up Memphis.

"I'm excited. I felt like it was home for me, all the special players there," said Robinson, who visited both KU and Memphis in recent weeks.
Robinson is the No. 18 recruit in the country according to Rivals.com.

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by SEA_OF_RED

Either or. He failed both of them.

So it has nothing to do with KU the NCAA cleared him.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

No, but it does cast an awful lot of doubt on how:

1) He passed his entrance exam (I have heard this, does kU actually have one of these)
2) How he stayed eligible for 1 and 1/2 years...

I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happend with ANY powerhouse program in virtually any major collegiate sport. BFD

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by SEA_OF_RED

How are his math grades?

How were Math grades? Oh wait you never went to class.............ever.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happend with ANY powerhouse program in virtually any major collegiate sport. BFD

Definitely happens fairly often, though grade changing is pretty rare. Doesn't mean its OK or the NCAA shouldn't throw the book at someone who violates the rule.

Biggest problem for Self and co. is that kU has a reporter/news group chasing the story here that won't let it die. That's usually the first step (that, or a coaching colleague complaining).

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Robinson was always going to be one of the tougher targets to pry away from KU. Congrats.

Henry's absolutely not a done deal, but I do feel way better about our chances with him and Wall than I ever did about Robinson. I suspect we'll be going hard after Favors now, with Robinson out of the picture.

My thoughts exactly, I think we have a 25% chance of getting Henry, while Memphis had 75% shot. If it was a done deal Henry wouldn't be dragging this on like he is by now especially once his brother committed, and that was quite a while ago. Still, I'm not very confident that X is coming to KU.

[irishjayhawk]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Definitely happens fairly often, though grade changing is pretty rare. Doesn't mean its OK or the NCAA shouldn't throw the book at someone who violates the rule.

Biggest problem for Self and co. is that kU has a reporter/news group chasing the story here that won't let it die. That's usually the first step (that, or a coaching colleague complaining).

Let's say he's guilty and there are issues with his transcript. In no way is KU liable. If, for some reason, they were liable, it would call into question the entire NCAA.

Look, if the Clearinghouse clears them, there is no way it should come back to the university who ended up going after them and getting them. The university wouldn't have done so if the Clearinghouse hadn't cleared them in the first place.

It's a stupid argument and it's one that doesn't really matter at least with respect to KU.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by irishjayhawk

Let's say he's guilty and there are issues with his transcript. In no way is KU liable. If, for some reason, they were liable, it would call into question the entire NCAA.

Look, if the Clearinghouse clears them, there is no way it should come back to the university who ended up going after them and getting them. The university wouldn't have done so if the Clearinghouse hadn't cleared them in the first place.

It's a stupid argument and it's one that doesn't really matter at least with respect to KU.

He/the school are in the clear on the high school stuff. It's not like he is now going to be declared ineligible and the title will be yanked or anything.

But the clearinghouse doesn't have anything to do with anything other than his high school grades.

If someone were to look into his college grades and find discrepancies/misconduct, though... (which is what I was trying to get at with my last post) that would definitely be fair game.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Definitely happens fairly often, though grade changing is pretty rare. Doesn't mean its OK or the NCAA shouldn't throw the book at someone who violates the rule.

Biggest problem for Self and co. is that kU has a reporter/news group chasing the story here that won't let it die. That's usually the first step (that, or a coaching colleague complaining).

The biggest problem is that these kids get exploited by the time they're 11-12 with big colleges trying to recruit the best players etc. A lot of times to get the best player theres a price.....esp now with as much parity there is now in bball.

They get exposed as being great and they are treated like rockstars from the very beginning. They get money under the table, shoe deals etc, tickets to games, access to players etc. I mean hell its getting to the point where HS games are being telecasted on ESPN if it involves a high blue chip player(s).

These players eventually don't develope a sense of responsibility and eventually get into trouble, don't focus on school work etc because really they dont think they have to, if the price is to hide some baggage under the run so to speak, a program with tons of money is willing to do so if the payoff is big enough. In many cases, these players can change a program around so the payoff can be worth it.

I mean do you really think these kids pass classes that are raised in terrible neighborhoods, going to terrible schools where teachers don't care to teach because the kids don't care to learn? Then a big time "friend of the school" calls them up and asks for a buyout to change a grade or 2 when their payout is 5-6 times more than they make in a year. If I was a teacher I sure as shit would accpet that and would keep my mouth shut.

It's all part of the game.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

The biggest problem is that these kids get exploited by the time they're 11-12 with big colleges trying to recruit the best players etc. A lot of times to get the best player theres a price.....esp now with as much parity there is now in bball.

They get exposed as being great and they are treated like rockstars from the very beginning. They get money under the table, shoe deals etc, tickets to games, access to players etc. I mean hell its getting to the point where HS games are being telecasted on ESPN if it involves a high blue chip player(s).

These players eventually don't develope a sense of responsibility and eventually get into trouble, don't focus on school work etc because really they dont think they have to, if the price is to hide some baggage under the run so to speak, a program with tons of money is willing to do so if the payoff is big enough. In many cases, these players can change a program around so the payoff can be worth it.

I mean do you really think these kids pass classes that are raised in terrible neighborhoods, going to terrible schools where teachers don't care to teach because the kids don't care to learn? Then a big time "friend of the school" calls them up and asks for a buyout to change a grade or 2 when their payout is 5-6 times more than they make in a year. If I was a teacher I sure as shit would accpet that and would keep my mouth shut.

It's all part of the game.

I agree with you all the way here. It's a hypocritical system, but one that can still burn a school if the NCAA or an outside party is willing to investigate.

That's why the NCAA needs to crack back big-time on: The AAU circuit, hiring family members/coaches, street agents, etc.

And maybe even start giving players a cut of the revenue they generate so they have some cash in their pockets (in forms other than meal cards, free tuition and a place to stay).

[schneider221]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

He/the school are in the clear on the high school stuff. It's not like he is now going to be declared ineligible and the title will be yanked or anything.

But the clearinghouse doesn't have anything to do with anything other than his high school grades.

If someone were to look into his college grades and find discrepancies/misconduct, though... (which is what I was trying to get at with my last post) that would definitely be fair game.

there has not even been a whisper of any grade changing while at KU. the whole investigation is surrounding his highschool grades, so like irish said the whole KU forfeiting anything should be considered(hopefully) a joke.

[schneider221]

Originally Posted by irishjayhawk

I think if you get Henry, Wall will pick KU. But I could be wrong.

I think the more likely scenario for KU is

PG - Wall or Elija Johnson, whoever the first to commit gets the spot.

SF - Henry, Cheek, or Lance Stephenson. All three are considered studs. Henry has supposedly committed to memphis like 5 times in the past few months but nothing official has come out. Personally I think unless something really drastic changes soon he is headed to memphis. Cheek is a high school teammate of current jayhawk taylor and is down to KU/Villanova, and Stephenson who appears to have all the talent in the world but not really the best attitude. For what it is worth Stephenson did not make the U-19 USA team because he did not get along with the other players/staff. That is the same team Travis Relaford ended up making.

[Silock]

I'm hoping for Wall and Cheek.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Silock

I'm hoping for Wall and Cheek.

I didn't even realize KU was on the #1 guy in the countries list. Looks like he's trimmed it down a bit. If we get Wall and Henry I will break down in tears like I did when Mario Chalmers drilled that shot over Rose.

[hawkchief]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Probably should just go ahead and begin the NCAA investigation on him now.

For a KSUck fan, there's not much else to live for anymore, huh?

[ArrowheadHawk]

Originally Posted by BWillie007

I didn't even realize KU was on the #1 guy in the countries list. Looks like he's trimmed it down a bit. If we get Wall and Henry I will break down in tears like I did when Mario Chalmers drilled that shot over Rose.

It's not quite that big but it would be awesome.