Class and Scholarship Count Update

[Price is Right]

I'm sure most will disagree and I say this without any real inside knowledge on the situation, but it seems like a stretch that Lon would promise cole a 4 year scholly. Again I don't know the facts and it's entirely possible just my opinion. That being said I believe basketball is a sport where tough decisions must be made sometimes. It can't be about making everyone happy all of the time if Lon thinks the kid shows real promise and can contribute down the road then by all means let him keep it but as someone posted previously if the kid will never be able to contribute at this level then I just can't wrap my head around keeping him on... If I'm Mankin and next season roles around and cole is on scholly and I'm not I would be pretty upset.

 

[DenverSooner]

I'm sure most will disagree and I say this without any real inside knowledge on the situation, but it seems like a stretch that Lon would promise cole a 4 year scholly. Again I don't know the facts and it's entirely possible just my opinion. That being said I believe basketball is a sport where tough decisions must be made sometimes. It can't be about making everyone happy all of the time if Lon thinks the kid shows real promise and can contribute down the road then by all means let him keep it but as someone posted previously if the kid will never be able to contribute at this level then I just can't wrap my head around keeping him on... If I'm Mankin and next season roles around and cole is on scholly and I'm not I would be pretty upset.

Mankin was never promised a scholarship. I am all for OU being honest and telling kids it doesn't look they will get much playing time. If the kid decides he wants to transfer to a lesser school then I support the kid. However, if the kid wants to work hard and be a good teammate, I want OU to honor his scholarship for four years.

 

[CoachTalk]

A few things:
1. LK offers a scholly, it's a 4 yr thing unless you(the player) screws up or it's mutual decision. Playing time, closer to home etc...
2. Difference bw leaving after your 2nd year in college at a school and a kids junior year.
3. 4 years at 4 schools and OSSAA issues (that's players fault)
4. APR... 15 kids will not always be productive stars/role players in the court. Good kids that practice hard push others guys in practice.. Etc are good to have around.
5. Cole was offered a full ride to several other D-1 schools, LK promised him a scholly after 1 year, he's offering a full 4 years.

 

[tycat947]

I agree. I just don't get why our society wants to move away from core values like honoring your word. I want OU to set an example with its athletic department for all of the students to see and follow. I would rather OU lose than operate in a manner I consider unethical.

if a kid gets in trouble or isn't working hard, I am fine with revoking his scholarship but if the kid is working hard and OU simply misevaluated the kid, I want OU to honor the scholarship. Perhaps I am naive.

:clap:clap:clap

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Recruiting Class confirmed in early signing period:

2014 Recruiting Class (SO FAR)
Khadeem Lattin … 6-9, 197, F … Houston, Texas / Canarius Basketball Academy
Dante Buford … 6-7, 205, PF … Jacksonville, Florida
Jamuni McNeace … 6-10, 205, C … Allen, Texas

Still two (2) 2014 scholarships available if the OU coaches want to use them now. An additional spot will open up for the 2015 class as D.J. Bennett will be a senior next season.

 

[jerry]

Is Cole really going to stay on scholarship?!?! Mankin is getting minutes over him.

YEah hard to believe Lon offered this kid?? He looked really bad last night.

 

[dahldennsull]

He really did look like a walk on last night. No quickness, and completely lost on offense and defense. I expect him to at least be a smart player to be in the right places at the right times

 

[WTSooner]

Someone brought it up the other day, but I wonder if the Cole scholly is at least in part to help out our APR (I think that is what it's called)? Not sure what all factors into that, but having a kid around for 4 years that is going to make a 4.0 or probably close to it, certainly can't hurt.

 

[WaymanFan]

Someone brought it up the other day, but I wonder if the Cole scholly is at least in part to help out our APR (I think that is what it's called)? Not sure what all factors into that, but having a kid around for 4 years that is going to make a 4.0 or probably close to it, certainly can't hurt.

I would be shocked if he was awarded a 4-year scholly and wasn't a GREAT student. A lot of coaches like to have one player on scholarship who is going to bring up the APR (or whatever it's called) or even the median GPA. I learned about this back in the late 1980s when I was still living in my home state of NY. A town called Ballston Spa had this really good high school shooting guard named Scott Cherry (who was also a great student). However, his game projected at the mid-major level for college, and all but one of his offers were from the mid-major variety.

Mixed with those offers was a full ride to play for Dean Smith and North Carolina. He jumped on it...sat on the bench until his senior year, and then actually made a contribution on their '93 title team. Perhaps CJ will also make a contribution 2-3 years down the road. Until then, as long as he keeps his grades up and wants to be part of the team, he's probably not going anywhere.

 

[garyeb2]

I don't understand why some people would want to grind on CJ. He won't be the reason we win or lose any games this season and no one around here is contributing toward his scholarship.

He is a smart, pleasant, and personable kid. He works hard and is a good representative of the program. Our front line players are better because CJ and others like him challenge them every day to the best of their ability.

If our 11th, 12th, and 13th best scholarship players were ever good enough to be getting meaningful minutes and weren't getting them. They would transfer.

 

[MNsooner]

I think the quote in the signature says it all about Lon and his commitment to players as student athletes.