Hoops guys - Who is this good 6'10" recruit Sendek might get?

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Or how Carmello lead Syracuse to a title during his one and done year. Or how Oden helped take Ohio St deep and put them on the national map for the first time in who knows how long. Obviously, one and done players are a big risk, and if the rumblings about Sidney's father, and perhaps attitude are true, its probably best to pass on him.

Again - it has nothing to do with being a one and done (I support UA taking players that are good enough to only have to play one collegiate season), it's who Sidney is connected to that causes red flags and why I want him nowhere near Arizona's campus despite his supposed interest. OJ Mayo was last year's version and USC will most likely end up forfeiting every W from last season at the very least. This year's is Demar Derozan who is probably getting handouts from Master P while creating a situation where USC also had to give a Division II player at best in Lil Romeo a spot on the roster. I'm guessing that will end badly as well. Sidney comes from the same mold.

Either way, I don't imagine he's seriously considering ASU, so its no worry. Unless Harden stays for his Junior year, but I can't imagine him doing that unless maybe he's injured during his sophomore year or something.

It sounds like he'll wait until the spring to make his decision so it largely does depend on Harden. Barring something crazy Harden's probably a lottery lock in the 2009 draft so we'll see what happens, without him ASU doesn't have the firepower to entice Sidney.

 

[DWKB]

Or how Carmello lead Syracuse to a title during his one and done year. Or how Oden helped take Ohio St deep and put them on the national map for the first time in who knows how long. Obviously, one and done players are a big risk, and if the rumblings about Sidney's father, and perhaps attitude are true, its probably best to pass on him.

Either way, I don't imagine he's seriously considering ASU, so its no worry. Unless Harden stays for his Junior year, but I can't imagine him doing that unless maybe he's injured during his sophomore year or something.

[sarcasm]
Let me point out how much K State has been helped out by their getting Beasley and Walker, just look at their 2008 recruiting class!
[/sarcasm]

 

[Russ Smith]

[sarcasm]
Let me point out how much K State has been helped out by their getting Beasley and Walker, just look at their 2008 recruiting class!
[/sarcasm]

Exactly Sidney is not exactly a popular player that's going to lead to a lot of other recruits wanting to play with him. Stephenson apparently does but he has a lot of the same issues swirling around him.

I think the main point for me is there's not too many programs in america(including UCLA I readily admit) that can have a thorough NCAA investigation done and come out completely clean. There's just too many rules and too many people to police. So the last thing you do as a coach is do things that draw the attention of the NCAA. Floyd forgot that and now he's going to be investigated and odds are they're going to find things that had nothing to do with OJ Mayo.

It's like driving to work on the freeway when every car on the road is speeding(if traffic allows). The last thing you want to do is do something that makes your car standout from all the others because if you do, you're going to be the car that gets pulled over.

 

[Ryanwb]

The one year rule is going to chip away at the integrity college basketball programs. These "amateur talent scouts" (or whatever they call themselves now) already have their hands on these kids at the high school level and know they just need to hold their hands through a year of college ball.

USC should be made an example of, and not only in basketball but football as well. Then these guys should be heavily fined in their pro contracts for improprieties that can be proven.

 

[Russ Smith]

The one year rule is going to chip away at the integrity college basketball programs. These "amateur talent scouts" (or whatever they call themselves now) already have their hands on these kids at the high school level and know they just need to hold their hands through a year of college ball.

USC should be made an example of, and not only in basketball but football as well. Then these guys should be heavily fined in their pro contracts for improprieties that can be proven.

Agreed although touching the kid once he's in the NBA is impossible.

The one argument I always hear in these cases is well the kids should be getting money anyways the NCAA makes so much off them they should get some of it. My reply is the same, if you paid players stipends beyond scholarships, the OJ Mayo's would still take cash under the table because they'd want to get more than the rest of the guys on their team. And there'd still be Guillory's out there to pay them because tehy're still trying to maneuver to represent the player once he hits the NBA. Paying players stipends in no way will stop this stuff.

 

[bko32]

Never played for Pera, but Pera of course maintained his contacts in the area and Sidney's father knows him well.

The Sidney/ASU connection came about because of Sidney's former coach at Artesia, Loren Grover. Grover was Pera's assistant at Artesia and took over when Pera left for ASU. Grover and Pera are very good friends and Grover helped initiate the contact between Pera/ASU and Sidney. I don't think Pera and Sidney's father know each other as well as you claim. Pera was already gone well before Sidney enrolled at Artesia.

 

[Skkorpion]

The Sidney/ASU connection came about because of Sidney's former coach at Artesia, Loren Grover. Grover was Pera's assistant at Artesia and took over when Pera left for ASU. Grover and Pera are very good friends and Grover helped initiate the contact between Pera/ASU and Sidney. I don't think Pera and Sidney's father know each other as well as you claim. Pera was already gone well before Sidney enrolled at Artesia.

Thanks for that info, bko. Good stuff.

 

[TheKid_1]

Seems as though ASU is the first to officially send an offer to him.... Interesting.

http://arizonastate.scout.com/a.z?s=43&p=8&c=1&nid=2007369

 

[asuhoopnut]

Just another little juicy tease. We are now looking at a possible, very high profile basketball transfer from another Division 1 school. We should know very soon. Sorry I can't give you more info. at this time, but if this happens it would be awesome!

 

[Russ Smith]

Just another little juicy tease. We are now looking at a possible, very high profile basketball transfer from another Division 1 school. We should know very soon. Sorry I can't give you more info. at this time, but if this happens it would be awesome!

If you mean Alex Stepheson that's not exactly a secret it's been pretty public he's contacted UCLA, USC, ASU and I think possibly UA too.

He left UNC looking for more PT, his dad is quite sick so some people thought he'd get a waiver and be eligible next year without sitting out a season but apparently that's very unlikely.

I know UCLA wants him, USC did but they just gave out their last scholarship so Floyd will have to run someone off if AS picks SC. He'd be a nice get for ASU he's a very good defender and rebounder.

 

[asuhoopnut]

Alex Stepheson and his parents have been on the ASU campus for the last 2 days on an official visit. Alex was one of the top players in the country coming out of high school in the class of 2006. He committed to UNC and has played there for the past 2 years. He would have 2 years of eligibility left with a possibility that he might not have to sit out a year. He might be able to get a waiver that would allow him to play immediately, due to his father being ill and wanting to be closer to him (California). Stepheson was the MVP of the Roundball Classic (All-Star Game) in 2006. He is a monster rebounder who once had 31 rebounds in a game in high school (against Notre Dame HS in Ca.). He would be a big time get for this program.

 

[Russ Smith]

FYI the claim is Stepheson's final 3 is USC, UCLA and ASU. USC doesn't have a scholarship so if they announce a transfer you'll know where AS is going.

Right now rumor is split some insist he's going to UCLA, and some insist he told players after his visits that he was more comfortable with the staff at ASU than at USC or UCLA.

There's another report that says he's looking hard at Cal now too.

 

[AZBALLER]

The good news is that people are mentioning ASU and elite basketball players, who would have skipped college under the old rules, in the same sentence...The exposure is there, and after a very successfull season next year, the elite prospects will sign. There's a reason why players from Duke and UNC want to transfer to ASU.

 

[Russ Smith]

The good news is that people are mentioning ASU and elite basketball players, who would have skipped college under the old rules, in the same sentence...The exposure is there, and after a very successfull season next year, the elite prospects will sign. There's a reason why players from Duke and UNC want to transfer to ASU.

Right now it's PT, they weren't getting enough at Duke and UNC. Stepheson's case he also wants to be close to home because of his dad.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if he picked ASU seems if he were going to pick UCLA he would have already done so, the fact that he's taking his time suggests to me he probably won't be a Bruin.

 

[Russ Smith]

FYI USC sites are reporting Stepheson visited USC yesterday, and someone on a UCLA site is reporting he told ASU coaches today he's going to ASU. Nobody has confirmed it but looks like Alex may be headed to ASU.

 

[Mulli]

sweet

 

[Russ Smith]

sweet

If it turns out to be true you gotta love TIm Floyd's ability to turn an unofficial visit to SC into a transfer for ASU.

 

[HooverDam]

I know I'm counting my chickens WAY before they hatch, putting the cart before the horse, etc, but there is an outside chance ASUs 2009 roster could be:

C Alex Stephenson (4 star)/Eric Boateng (4 star)
PF Renardo Sidney (5 star)/Taylor Rhode (3 star)/Kraidon Woods (3 star)
SF Johnny Coy (3 star)/Rihards Kuksiks (3 star)/Jerren Shipp (3 star)
SG James Harden (5 star)/Ty Abbot (3 star)/Trent Lockett (3 star)
PG Jamell McMillan (4 star)/Jared Cunningham (4 star)/Derek Glasser (3 star)

Can you say Final 4?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Actually there's a zero percent chance of that happening because college hoops teams are only allowed thirteen scholarships. Not to mention at least a few of these guys would likely transfer for more PT.

And that's without mentioning the obvious that Harden is in all likelihood gone after this season. He's getting a lottery guarantee no matter what, maybe even top 5 after everything shakes out in a very weak draft.

 

[HooverDam]

^Johnny Coy may no long be a scholarship player as the Phillies may be paying his way to college.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

^Johnny Coy may no long be a scholarship player as the Phillies may be paying his way to college.

Ah, didn't know that.

Regardless, there's no way you convince some of these guys you have deep on the depth chart to play eight minutes a game so late in their college careers when they have to get on film to get a shot overseas so there would be transfers. Nothing wrong with pipe dreams though.

 

[Skkorpion]

Hoover, you may be having a pipe dream but at least we finally have some pleasant upside to dream about. For years, our hoops dreams have been nightmares.

I just hope Sendek stays away from most of the obvious one-and-dones.

 

[AZBALLER]

Ah, didn't know that.

Regardless, there's no way you convince some of these guys you have deep on the depth chart to play eight minutes a game so late in their college careers when they have to get on film to get a shot overseas so there would be transfers. Nothing wrong with pipe dreams though.

Nothing wrong with your pipe dream either...although it must suck to have to root against schools, when you see they're just better than your teams and finally have a decent recruiter in all 3 major sports?

It'd be nice to have Coy and an additional scholie, but I think I'd rather him play both baseball and basketball at ASU.

BTW, are you saying that players who've been around a while and are about to exhaust their eligibility, would transfer in order to play 1 year at another school, after redshirting?

 

[Russ Smith]

Sidney update, Jeff Goodman Foxsports reports that Renardo's dad told him USC and UCLA have backed off their recruiting substantially and that right now Kansas is recruiting him the hardest with ASU, Louisville and Memphis also heavily in pursuit.

Kansas is also actively recruiting Lance Stephenson and he and Sidney have talked about a package deal, I'm not sure if Louisville is involved with Lance, Memphis of course is very involved since Lance is now buddying up to worldwide Wes.

So you can kind of see the water ASU is treading in going after Sidney they're competing with the defending national champs and basketball power in Kansas, and 2 schools coached by guys who'd sell their mother to get a good player. Remember Louisville just got rid of Derrick Caracter (who they beat out Memphis and Calipari in recruiting to get) and now they're after the new Caracter.

UCLA and USC were pretty obvious UCLA got Morgan and thinks they might get Alex Stepheson, USC got the NCAA sitting on campus investigating them over OJ Mayo the last thing they want is a followup to that because of Sidney.

 

[Gaddabout]

I'm guessing ASU looks at Sidney as a risk worth taking -- as a student athlete and for the required resources to recruit him. Probably feel like they can't lose much in courting him.