Josiah Turner uh oh not a good rumor

[Russ Smith]

http://blogs.sacbee.com/preps/archives/2011/01/sac-highs-turne-2.html

Turner didn't play in Sac High's last game and the coach said it's an internal thing that he would determine the outcome of. According to the linked article the rumor is Turner won't qualify academically for UA and is considering playing overseas next year.

Does say there have been rumors swirling around him for awhile and most have proven to be unfounded. I will say the guy I know in Sacramento has contended all along Turner would not be an easy qualify no matter where he went and of course his coach has publicly said before he should have gone to summer school instead of playing AAU ball this summer. But this is the first time I've seen or heard any rumor he was considering Europe so it's probably just speculation.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If he wants to come he'll get in.

 

[Gaddabout]

If he wants to come he'll get in.

Apparently he plays the right sport to get into UA.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I heard he just needs a qualifying SAT score. There's not much concern from UA people in that matter since that bar is pretty damn low. Not like he needs to fit 10 classes in one summer or anything.

Of course seeing the peanut gallery on this thread consisting of fans of two schools who desperately tried to recruit Josiah is mildly amusing.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Can anyone name 1 top 100 recruit who has qualified yet?

Like Mao said, he needs the SAT score, just like every other high school senior who wants to go to college and needs to take the exam...

 

[Renz]

Plenty of time to qualify.

 

[Russ Smith]

I heard he just needs a qualifying SAT score. There's not much concern from UA people in that matter since that bar is pretty damn low. Not like he needs to fit 10 classes in one summer or anything.

Of course seeing the peanut gallery on this thread consisting of fans of two schools who desperately tried to recruit Josiah is mildly amusing.

Hey I've said all along I love the kid, and I linked the article that ran the rumors and said I hadn't heard any of this until this article.

I love the kid but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he did have trouble qualifying, that's why UCLA backed off on him (and Cal) when he was a junior, the word was his grades weren't good. Then they all got his transcript later and apparently decided the grades were better than expected, UCLA tried desperately to get him but couldn't.

The last thing I want to see is him go the way of Kevin Galloway and let academics screw up his college career, he's a lot better than Galloway but same area same HS same issues with academics.

As for the SAT the rumor is he didn't make it on his first attempt but has several more chances.

My guess is he's suspended for some internal issue like a problem with the coach, Swafford is notorious for suspending players no matter how good they are. He suspended Galloway 2 years in a row during the playoffs.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If the grades are fine, he'll be good to get into UA. A qualifying SAT score is not anything difficult even if you are a poor student. Whether he goes to Europe to make some duogh? Well, that's another matter but that probably isn't a good idea for him.

 

[Russ Smith]

Can anyone name 1 top 100 recruit who has qualified yet?

Like Mao said, he needs the SAT score, just like every other high school senior who wants to go to college and needs to take the exam...

Come on didn't we all learn this from Brandon Jennings, he already has his SAT score as does every kid who took the SAT when he did. It's not like when I was a kid and it took months to get your score. It took 5 seconds on Google to determine when Turner took the test in December the results were available 12-17 and sent to colleges the same day, so he has his first score and so does UA.

The next session is January 22nd and scores will be available Feb 10th.

This is just speculation because the kid wasn't at the game at all, he wasn't sitting on the bench in street clothes like most ineligible players would be, he wasn't there at all so people speculated. Based on what Swafford said my guess is he broke a team rule and was suspended and that's why he wasn't at the game.

I said uh oh because it's not the sort of thing you want to see in the paper about a kid who has had questions about his academics for awhile now.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Josiah Turner isn't a saint, but he can ball and he'll be at UA if he wants to be.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

If Jennings wanted to make it to UA he could have, which still was a completely different scenario than Turner.

All I was saying is that hundreds of recruits in the nation still arent qualified (for multiple different reasons).

 

[Russ Smith]

If Jennings wanted to make it to UA he could have, which still was a completely different scenario than Turner.

All I was saying is that hundreds of recruits in the nation still arent qualified (for multiple different reasons).

No he couldn't that's why he played in Italy. If you want to believe his claim that he never even looked at his SAT score and he decided to play in Italy without ever knowing be my guest, but he continued to insist he didn't have his SAT score long after he should have had it and then all the rumors surfaced that he was dealing with Vaccaro to play overseas. He didn't bypass UA to play in Italy, he played in Italy because he didn't qualify for UA. After ETS voided the one qualifying SAT score he got, he failed to qualify and simply chose to claim he'd never looked at the score because he knew perfectly well privacy rules prevented Arizona from ever saying what his score was. It worked out well for him but I was actually disappointed he took the easy way out and didn't put in the minimal effort required to get a passing SAT score.

And yes it's a totally different case, nobody is accusing Turner of cheating on his SAT, the reason it's news is that if he were ineligible everyone would know by now, he's too high profile for that sort of secret to be kept IMHO. So people are wondering why he wasn't at the game, he didn't just sit, he wasn't there. The last time he missed a game he was taking the SAT in early Dec, this time he wasn't, he wasn't at the game and from Swafford's comments it's clear it was an internal (to the team) decision.

My guess is he broke one of Swaffords team rules and was suspended for however long Swafford feels is necessary. Swafford knows the privacy laws he's not going to publicly out the kid but people speculated and Paterson put it in the newspaper so now people are talking about it.

His mom told Paterson a few months ago that based on his strong finish to his junior year if it continued as a senior he'd finish with a GPA over 3, so that tells you his GPA was under 3 when she said that and had been lower.

He's not a bad kid at all but what he is right now is the kid all the younger kids in Sac are looking at to see how he handles it, there are several freshman and sophs in that area coming up who could be quite good. People are hoping that Turner is a positive example of taking school seriously and not another Galloway, Matt Simpkins, Jennings at Louisville. Jennings at least got eligible but did so by using prepschools before the NCAA clamped down on them. Probably not fair to put that on him at his age but they are. He's the best prospect from that area in quite some time.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Brandon Jennings is a more than bright enough kid to get the required SAT score. If he wanted to be at UA he would have gone through the process correctly and ended up in school rather easily. Once the Lute stuff blew up he stopped caring and started looking at his options.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I never believed that Jennings just didnt open his scores.

Look, you may not want to believe the story Mao and I are talking about, but Jennings would have been here if he wanted to.

I dont exactly know what happened with the SAT score, but I do know that after Lute left (including the entire staff that recruited him, along with Bayless), Jennings had no desire to play college ball.

Sonny got in his ear and offered a way out of college and Jennings went along with it and either tanked the SAT, ect, whatever he did.

Jennings could have easily qualified (meaning achieving the SAT score he needed on his own) and would have attended UA if he really wanted to. I dunno what is so hard to believe about that.

 

[Lefty]

Looks like this is all a rumor. His mom said he is not going to Europe and that he will be back playing high school basketball in a game or two. Also, she said Josiah will be in Tucson in about five months.

http://www.pointguardu.com/content/pgu-exclusive-latest-josiah-turner-510/

 

[Russ Smith]

I never believed that Jennings just didnt open his scores.

Look, you may not want to believe the story Mao and I are talking about, but Jennings would have been here if he wanted to.

I dont exactly know what happened with the SAT score, but I do know that after Lute left (including the entire staff that recruited him, along with Bayless), Jennings had no desire to play college ball.

Sonny got in his ear and offered a way out of college and Jennings went along with it and either tanked the SAT, ect, whatever he did.

Jennings could have easily qualified (meaning achieving the SAT score he needed on his own) and would have attended UA if he really wanted to. I dunno what is so hard to believe about that.

Why did he bother to take the test, twice, if he didn't want to play college ball? After his SAT was voided by ETS he took the test twice more, in fact if I recall correctly he took the ACT too.

My take is that Jennings took the SAt when he was playing in Compton and did poorly, then he took it while at Oak Hill and the score was so much higher ETS voided it. I think we can all guess why, he either had someone else take it or he cheated, ETS doesn't just void tests for the fun of it. He took the SAT twice more and then went to Italy.

Based on what was said at the time Sonny got in his ear after it became apparent he might not qualify.

It's hard to believe because there's no evidence it's true, the only time he got a qualifying score, he cheated. I realize the Lute stuff probably bothered lots of kids but why bother to take the SAT again if you were no longer interested in college.

I should add if this is so well known that Jennings just lost interest, where was that story when it was happening?


http://www.arizonasportsfans.com/vb...14980.html?highlight=brandon+jennings+qualify

there was a thread I started when it was reported he was in trouble and Mao very confidently said Jennings is getting into school, nobody
is worried about it. Then when he officially went to Europe I didn't see a bunch of well he didn't want to go to college after the whole Lute
thing, seems like that story came about AFTER the fact?

 

[Russ Smith]

Looks like this is all a rumor. His mom said he is not going to Europe and that he will be back playing high school basketball in a game or two. Also, she said Josiah will be in Tucson in about five months.

http://www.pointguardu.com/content/pgu-exclusive-latest-josiah-turner-510/

that seemed the most likely, if he were ineligible it would be known already, he's too high profile.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I have no idea why he decided to take it again, other than perhaps at the coaches requests or Sonny Vaccaro's.

I doubt it will ever be public knowledge, but it was widely known around the program that the reason he backed off and eventually didnt make it to Arizona is because...

Lute had taken his leave. That was a big blow, but didnt stop Jennings from considering going to play at UA. Pastner and Miles were still around at this time and Bayless was in his freshman year.

KO did not want Pastner or Miles around the program and essentially alienated them from most of what he was doing. Those two were still working on Jennings, but things began to snowball.

KO was in a battle with UA over the head coaching gig, Bayless said some things off the record after the season about KO and why he would never play for him at any level ever again, Paster left for Memphis, Miles was fired, and while it looked like Lute may be back, nothing was certain.

All those things had a huge impact on Jennings wanting to come to UA. Everyone agreed that Jennings would qualify if he wanted to, he apparently didnt. I dont blame him one bit in the matter, but also have no idea why he kept taking the tests as you say other than to potentially increase an offer from a club overseas.

 

[Russ Smith]

I have no idea why he decided to take it again, other than perhaps at the coaches requests or Sonny Vaccaro's.

I doubt it will ever be public knowledge, but it was widely known around the program that the reason he backed off and eventually didnt make it to Arizona is because...

Lute had taken his leave. That was a big blow, but didnt stop Jennings from considering going to play at UA. Pastner and Miles were still around at this time and Bayless was in his freshman year.

KO did not want Pastner or Miles around the program and essentially alienated them from most of what he was doing. Those two were still working on Jennings, but things began to snowball.

KO was in a battle with UA over the head coaching gig, Bayless said some things off the record after the season about KO and why he would never play for him at any level ever again, Paster left for Memphis, Miles was fired, and while it looked like Lute may be back, nothing was certain.

All those things had a huge impact on Jennings wanting to come to UA. Everyone agreed that Jennings would qualify if he wanted to, he apparently didnt. I dont blame him one bit in the matter, but also have no idea why he kept taking the tests as you say other than to potentially increase an offer from a club overseas.

So when this whole thing was going on and the UA fans kept insisting he'd qualify you all knew then that he didn't want to go to UA but you still kept saying he would qualify?

I started the thread here after Gary Parrish reported he might not qualify. Every single response said the same thing, first I've heard of it, I'm not worried he'll get in he's too good a player they will find a way to get him in.

Not one person said well with the Lute situation he no longer wants to play at UA.

I guess I'm saying I'd be more inclined to believe that if people had said it while it was happening.

Why would Vaccaro tell him to take the SAT, he was helping the kid go to Europe because he knew the kid might not qualify and needed help making arrangements. Sure he also had his ego involved, wanted to show the NCAA I can send a great player overseas so take that.

he last took the SAT in June, he announced for Italy in July, KO had been gone 2 months when he announced for Italy. If he wanted to play for Pastner why didn't he just ask UA to release him and go play at Memphis? In fact that's what memphis fans were hoping for at the time, I posted that comment here and was told Memphis fans were delusional, there was no way Jennings was going to follow Pastner.

I guess I'm just confused why the story now wasn't the story then.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I wouldnt assume that many people (not connected to the AD or program) knew during the recruitment that Jennings was wavering due to the issues with Lute and the program.

Considering the time Jennings had to take the test multiple more times, the story was the same it always was. He had time to get in and would come if he qualified. Obviously, things became more and more complicated after the issues about his scores while at Oak Hill and what was happening at UA with KO and the assistants under him.

I have no idea why he kept retaking the SAT, but I wouldnt put it past Vaccaro to use it as a negotiating ploy for a better contract overseas.

He didnt want to play at Memphis. He went to Oak Hill to play on a national stage, he is from Compton, and wanted to stay out west. Pastner leaving didnt mean he would follow him, it meant his lead recruiter and someone the family was close to left the school he wanted to attend. I may be mistaken, but I also seem to recall that Paster told Cal he would rather not recruit Jennings (or maybe it was someone else UA was in on).

The story at the time isnt always one that can be told in real time. Sometimes the people who are involved are doing everything they can to keep it close to the vest in hopes that the worst case scenario doesnt happen.

From everything I was told by those who were in the AD then (not there anymore) Jennings was coming if he wanted to come. That was also the belief around the program.

 

[Russ Smith]

I wouldnt assume that many people (not connected to the AD or program) knew during the recruitment that Jennings was wavering due to the issues with Lute and the program.

Considering the time Jennings had to take the test multiple more times, the story was the same it always was. He had time to get in and would come if he qualified. Obviously, things became more and more complicated after the issues about his scores while at Oak Hill and what was happening at UA with KO and the assistants under him.

I have no idea why he kept retaking the SAT, but I wouldnt put it past Vaccaro to use it as a negotiating ploy for a better contract overseas.

He didnt want to play at Memphis. He went to Oak Hill to play on a national stage, he is from Compton, and wanted to stay out west. Pastner leaving didnt mean he would follow him, it meant his lead recruiter and someone the family was close to left the school he wanted to attend. I may be mistaken, but I also seem to recall that Paster told Cal he would rather not recruit Jennings (or maybe it was someone else UA was in on).

Sorry nothing personal but that makes no sense at all. He didn't want to play at Memphis he wanted to play closer to home, so he went to Italy?

If he wanted to stay west or be near home, the last thing he would have done is go off to Italy for a year, he uprooted his family his mom and younger brother went with him. He openly complained the whole time he was there he didn't like the playing style, the coach was hard on him, he missed the US etc. I think it probably helped him some in humbling him, and he got the money, but he didn't go to Italy because he wanted to, he went there because he knew he failed on his last attempt in June to qualify and anybody who knew anything about Jennings knew the last thing he wanted to do was spend another year in prepschool trying to qualify.

I'm sure the Lute situation didn't help but cmon, the kid didn't go to Arizona because he wasn't qualified to go. If he'd have gotten the SAT score he would have played for UA I have no doubt.

It just seems to me if this was so well known, someone here would have said it at the time.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Sorry nothing personal but that makes no sense at all. He didn't want to play at Memphis he wanted to play closer to home, so he went to Italy?

Yeah, he played in Italy on a 3 year deal worth over a million, with an opt out after year 1. THEN he signed a multi-million dollar deal with Under Armor. Comon Russ...

If he wanted to stay west or be near home, the last thing he would have done is go off to Italy for a year, he uprooted his family his mom and younger brother went with him. He openly complained the whole time he was there he didn't like the playing style, the coach was hard on him, he missed the US etc. I think it probably helped him some in humbling him, and he got the money, but he didn't go to Italy because he wanted to, he went there because he knew he failed on his last attempt in June to qualify and anybody who knew anything about Jennings knew the last thing he wanted to do was spend another year in prepschool trying to qualify.

Yeah, he wanted to stay close to his family, so they moved in with him and he instantly became a millionaire. So you are arguing that instead of making a ton of money, he should have played at Memphis or gone to school at Arizona?

Yes, he didnt like it while he was there, because he thought he was going to play major minutes. Any international scout would have told him that young US players barely get off the bench in Europe and PGs over there arent allowed to play like PGs over here.

He didnt go to italy because he wanted to? So he was forced to be a millionaire because of a few SAT scores? Really?

I'm sure the Lute situation didn't help but cmon, the kid didn't go to Arizona because he wasn't qualified to go. If he'd have gotten the SAT score he would have played for UA I have no doubt.

It just seems to me if this was so well known, someone here would have said it at the time.

You can believe whatever you want Russ, what ive heard I have heard multiple times from high ups in the AD and people connected to the program.

If Lute would have been there with Pastner, Bayless would have been back and Jennings would have come as well.

Nobody ever said it was well known. Not everyone tells or even knows the whole story while it is developing. We can agree to disagree, because I see what you are arguing. However, you are basing an arguement on information from people who likely didnt know the whole story at the time or still dont, not to mention information from the middle of the season, 6 months before any decision was even made.

 

[Russ Smith]

Yeah, he played in Italy on a 3 year deal worth over a million, with an opt out after year 1. THEN he signed a multi-million dollar deal with Under Armor. Comon Russ...



Yeah, he wanted to stay close to his family, so they moved in with him and he instantly became a millionaire. So you are arguing that instead of making a ton of money, he should have played at Memphis or gone to school at Arizona?

Yes, he didnt like it while he was there, because he thought he was going to play major minutes. Any international scout would have told him that young US players barely get off the bench in Europe and PGs over there arent allowed to play like PGs over here.

He didnt go to italy because he wanted to? So he was forced to be a millionaire because of a few SAT scores? Really?



You can believe whatever you want Russ, what ive heard I have heard multiple times from high ups in the AD and people connected to the program.

If Lute would have been there with Pastner, Bayless would have been back and Jennings would have come as well.

Nobody ever said it was well known. Not everyone tells or even knows the whole story while it is developing. We can agree to disagree, because I see what you are arguing. However, you are basing an arguement on information from people who likely didnt know the whole story at the time or still dont, not to mention information from the middle of the season, 6 months before any decision was even made.

I guess I'm just an Occam's razor kind of guy. Kid tells people he doesn't have his score when he clearly should have it. then signs with Italy, then says I have my score, I've never opened it, I decided to go to Italy so I don't need to see it.

To me the most obvious and likely answer is he lied. especially given the whole reason it got to this point is he "allegedly" cheated on a prior SAT test.

 

[Russ Smith]

Well something is definitely up, Turner just transferred from Sac High, tomorrow is his last official day there.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/11/3317278/sac-high- basketball-star-turner.html

Says he called the coach the day after the game and said he missed the game due to a family situation. Then didn't show for practice on Monday which led to the coach having a meeting with the mom, Doris Ward today at which time she informed him they wanted to "go another way."

There were rumors over the summer he was going to Findlay Prep but I have no idea where he's headed. The coach said they gave no reason why he's leaving and didn't indicate they intended to enroll in another school. Said he's passing all his classes at Sac High.

 

[Lefty]

Well something is definitely up, Turner just transferred from Sac High, tomorrow is his last official day there.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/01/11/3317278/sac-high- basketball-star-turner.html

Says he called the coach the day after the game and said he missed the game due to a family situation. Then didn't show for practice on Monday which led to the coach having a meeting with the mom, Doris Ward today at which time she informed him they wanted to "go another way."

There were rumors over the summer he was going to Findlay Prep but I have no idea where he's headed. The coach said they gave no reason why he's leaving and didn't indicate they intended to enroll in another school. Said he's passing all his classes at Sac High.

He is not going to Findlay. He probably won't transfer anywhere. Makes no sense to transfer when there is less than 5 months left of high school. He'll probably just concentrate on finishing high school and getting to the UofA.