A blog is an opinion based entity, I do not pretend to have a ‘breaking news’ type of site. Rather, this is a place to voice opinions about the news going on around recruiting which other sites more effectively compile and report.
Top-40 player and 13th ranked power forward, Emmanuel Negedu has decided that the University of Arizona is no longer the best fit for him.
This once again is going back to the large turnover on the coaching staff from when Negedu A) originally committed and B) signed his letter of intent. This was the #1 reason why readers here decided that it would be ok for a player to back out of a commitment, so many here understand (according to the unscientific poll results, that is.)
Who is one person who does not understand? Head coach, Lute Olson.
Despite listening to the concerns of Negedu, one of four signed commits in the 2008 basketball recruiting class, Olson has yet to release him from his LOI. If Olson continues his stance and it is backed up by AD Jim Livengood, Negedu would be forced to either stay at the UA or stay out of collegiate basketball for a season due to transfer rules.
What has changed since Negedu signed his LOI in mid-November? Let’s see…
Olson extends his leave of absence to the entire season, the Wildcats name O’Neill the eventual successor, the Wildcats proceed to be a bubble team in the tournament for the first time in recent memory, Arizona gets knocked out of the NCAA tournament with another early exit.. This is where the fun begins.
After the season, Olson announces his triumphant return and holds a press conference to make sure everyone realizes he is back. Freshman standout and sophomore forward Jerryd Bayless and Chase Budinger announce they are leaving for the draft, O’Neill is taken off of his “successor” pedestal and promptly reassigned to a “fundraising” role with the university, clearing up his spot on the bench. Miles Simon, key player and assistant coach at the University of Arizona for years, is let go. Josh Pastner, key recruiter for Negedu and Olson’s last remaining holdover on the coaching staff, is let go is not retained. Olson proceeds to hire Russ Pennell and Mike Dunlap to his associate coaching positions. Negedu decides the UA is not where he wants to be.
So – in a nutshell? Arizona has: a mediocre season, coaching turmoil, key recruiters fired and not retained, key players jet for the NBA, a new coaching staff in place. That is a lot of change for an 18-year-old basketball player to deal with.
With all of the turnover, it is no wonder that some of the recruits are beginning to change their minds. The real question is – when will it end? For Arizona fans, hopefully right here.
StarNet article here
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Eric, I agree 100%. He thought he was buying a cream puff and instead he got a lemon. I’d want my money back also!
— jerry l 05/19/2008 02:27 PM #
Boohoo….
He signed to play for Lute, not Josh, Miles, or KO. He also signed to play for UA…
NBA bound players leave, deal; with it, we don’t need anymore Wanna-be prima donnas anyway, hold him to his LOI, make him miss a season or this will be the future of college basketball, just like the pros cry cry cry…
— JW 05/19/2008 02:37 PM #
Couldn’t agree more JW. The state of college basketball is deteriorating. I know when I voted in the poll, it was in regard to the HEAD COACH leaving….not the assistants.
In a larger context, shouldn’t we be very concerned as to where NCAA basketball is heading. It’s becoming more and more insignificant as each year rolls on. Seems that we talk and hype up all these high school kids and then we proceed to discuss the NBA careers of the kids.
— CHRIS 05/19/2008 03:45 PM #
Well the UA baseball team won today…
— Wang Chung 05/19/2008 04:35 PM #
is a one-and-done player who probably wont play either way worth damaging UA’s already unsteady sell to future recruits? I can see O trying to talk him into staying, but if he has his mind set, then let him go…its not worth the PR damage in the long run…and that is coming from a guy who thought he (a go-to 4 man) was truly the key piece missing.
— just thinking... 05/19/2008 08:45 PM #
#5
I hear ya, but when kids start thinking they can opt out of a binding LOI whenever they choose….?
We think the one & done is damaging to a program, wait till the rest of the AAU circuit finds out they can pull this off…
I mean good luck at this point finding a replacement, he just wasted a scholarship that could’ve gone to a more dependable, deserving kid…
— JW 05/19/2008 10:03 PM #
J-Dub,
I agree with you 100%, or maybe 99.9%. pair that with the whole OJ Mayo deal (which is probably a common occurance) and it does feel that the power shift has gone from the NBA to the AAU “reps” who are looking for the Willy Wonka Golden Ticket. There are mostly solid coaches in AAU, but when the organization fails to police itself the corrosive results work their way into so many facets.
A stand does need to be made, but it should be the NCAA and AAU…close the loopholes and take out the bargaining chip of release unless in very special case-by-case situations.
— just thinking... 05/20/2008 09:17 AM #
Eric, I hope you are not actually paid by the Daily Star to write this. I have no problem with your opinion, but to write a blatantly incorrect statement is unforgivable. You wrote “Josh Pastner, key recruiter for Negedu and Olson’s last remaining holdover on the coaching staff, is let go.” and “So – in a nutshell? Arizona has: a mediocre season, coaching turmoil, key recruiters fired…”
Josh Pastner was not let go/fired. He took a job at Memphis with Lute’s blessing, after Lute asked him to stay.
Write what you want as your opinion, but don’t try to back up your argument with lies. You should be ashamed of this oversight.
— Chris 05/20/2008 09:30 AM #
Right on Chris!
— zeke 05/21/2008 05:11 AM #