Interesting UCLA recruiting rumors

[Russ Smith]

From Brian Dohn of the LA Daily news. Renardo Sidney has been at the last 2 UCLA games(including the ASU loss) and NOT because he was interested in UA and ASU, because he is interested in UCLA.

It appears UCLA may have renewed interest in Sidney, he's reportedly got his grades up, has lost weight and has insisted he will not go to Europe ala Jennings. He hasn't taken the SAT yet but the claim is if he does, and scores high enough,UCLA is considering offering him a scholarship which would be contingent on someone going pro early or transferring out since they have no rides to offer.

Its' still believed USC is in the drivers seat for Sidney they have the ride to offer and while they haven't offered yet they're still actively recruiting him. I think SC is waiting on his SAT score, which he allegedly hasn't taken yet.

Would be a REAL surprise to me if UCLA took Sidney, too risky.

 

[HooverDam]

Id be surprised if UCLA took the risk on him if his grades are as shaky as I keep hearing. They dont need to, so why do it? A program like ASU or SC on the other hand would probably be more willing to take the risk because they (especially ASU) ought to be happy with any blue chippers they can get.

 

[Russ Smith]

Id be surprised if UCLA took the risk on him if his grades are as shaky as I keep hearing. They dont need to, so why do it? A program like ASU or SC on the other hand would probably be more willing to take the risk because they (especially ASU) ought to be happy with any blue chippers they can get.

Actually depending on your thought process UCLA could "need" him more than ASU or USC. If you're one of those UCLA should win the national title at least once ever 3-4 years(there are folks like that believe it or not), you're tired of 3 final 4's an no NC. So you want Howland to get more talent and a risk on a kid like Sidney with a high ceiling, is worth it.

If you're like me, you would rather have a good program that doesn't take risks that could end up hurting the program down the line and you want no part of Sidney.

ASU and USC are not at the point where adding Sidney could put them over the top to an NC, the argument is UCLA is so the risk has more payoff to them.

I hope he's not at UCLA next year based on everything I've heard and read.

 

[HooverDam]

ASU and USC are not at the point where adding Sidney could put them over the top to an NC, the argument is UCLA is so the risk has more payoff to them.

I'm not so sure about that. If Sidney comes to ASU that means Harden would be staying. Now thats all extremely unlikely, but a team with those two, plus the nice role players ASU has could be poised to make a Final 4/National Title run. It would all depend on how god Sidney is right out of the shoot of course. Sendek also has the 4 star SG Trent Lockett coming in next year who would give the team more depth.

Sidney/Boateng/Pateev
Kuksiks/Rhode/Woods
Harden/Walker/Shipp
Abbott/Lockett
Glasser/McMillan

Thats certainly not a bad team and could be dangerous in the tourney. Though they'd still be a bit thin and inexperienced up front, lacking great PG play (unless McMillan can develop) and probably relying on outside shooting too much.

 

[Lefty]

I'm not so sure about that. If Sidney comes to ASU that means Harden would be staying. Now thats all extremely unlikely, but a team with those two, plus the nice role players ASU has could be poised to make a Final 4/National Title run. It would all depend on how god Sidney is right out of the shoot of course. Sendek also has the 4 star SG Trent Lockett coming in next year who would give the team more depth.

Sidney/Boateng/Pateev
Kuksiks/Rhode/Woods
Harden/Walker/Shipp
Abbott/Lockett
Glasser/McMillan

Thats certainly not a bad team and could be dangerous in the tourney. Though they'd still be a bit thin and inexperienced up front, lacking great PG play (unless McMillan can develop) and probably relying on outside shooting too much.

Harden is 100% gone after this year. He is going to be a top-5 pick, no way he is going to turn down that much money.

 

[HooverDam]

Harden is 100% gone after this year. He is going to be a top-5 pick, no way he is going to turn down that much money.

I said it was 'extremely unlikely,' I thought that covered that point, I guess not.

 

[Lefty]

I said it was 'extremely unlikely,' I thought that covered that point, I guess not.

When I read your post, you wrote "If Sidney comes to ASU that means Harden would be staying." Then in the next sentence you wrote "extremely unlikely." I know what you meant but I interpreted it as a possibility of him coming back with your first sentence. No big deal. It will be interesting to see how many Pac-10 guys get drafted in the first round.

 

[Russ Smith]

I'm not so sure about that. If Sidney comes to ASU that means Harden would be staying. Now thats all extremely unlikely, but a team with those two, plus the nice role players ASU has could be poised to make a Final 4/National Title run. It would all depend on how god Sidney is right out of the shoot of course. Sendek also has the 4 star SG Trent Lockett coming in next year who would give the team more depth.

Sidney/Boateng/Pateev
Kuksiks/Rhode/Woods
Harden/Walker/Shipp
Abbott/Lockett
Glasser/McMillan

Thats certainly not a bad team and could be dangerous in the tourney. Though they'd still be a bit thin and inexperienced up front, lacking great PG play (unless McMillan can develop) and probably relying on outside shooting too much.

Unlikely Harden would stay because of Sidney. I don't know if Sidney and Harden got along or not, I know both of them really disliked Malik Story so they may have had that in common but i really doubt Harden would stay for Sidney. But if he did, they'd be REALLY good.

IF you saw Sidney on ESPN2 against San Diego High and Jeremy Tyler you saw how good Sidney is. Tyler's team was overmatched, they had 3 starters suspended due to recruiting, even the head coach is suspended, but Sidney just destroyed Tyler. Tyler spent most of the game trying to bait Sidney into a physical confrontation and Sidney just smiled. Tyler got like 20 but mainly with the game 30 points or higher. Last year Sidney shut Tyler out, zero points.

No mistake Sidney is VERY good, he doesn't like to play inside but he's insanely skilled and in better shape. I can see why Howland and other coaches are still hoping he gets his act together but I think the fear with him is all the people around him, not so much him. Tyler is a different story he's just got no self control, yelling at his teammats the whole game etc, just a completely unlikable kid to watch play.

Edit I did see you say it was unlikely Harden stayed so scratch that comment.

 

[HooverDam]

I do think Sidneys potential unwillingness to go inside may not be a big negative for Herbs system. It seems to me Herb goes for the Euro style big who can fact the basket, shoot and pass well. Either way, he only comes if Harden stays and that likely won't happen.

My only hope is maybe ASU makes a run to the Elite 8 or something this year, it gets Hardens competitive juices going so much he decides to come back and try to win at all. Or he gets a promise from the Clippers and that scares him into coming back to school

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The only way Harden comes back is injury.