If it's our own transferring, feels like it deserves its own thread. I know we already started discussing in the transfer thread.
Sad to see Bryce go, but hoping there's enough in the portal and it's early still, that we can find a replacement that fits just as well.
This one is tough to swallow and difficult to comprehend, would like to get feedback from others on what could have triggered this move by Bryce.
Unfortunately the injuries cost him
I could still see him starting provided he did the work in this offseason
He has talent and tools
The time has passed when any of us can really relate to what these kids think. Some decisions make sense, this one doesn't but best of luck. Just another waste of time
This is a shame. The easy transfer rules are wreaking havoc on college basketball. Coaches must be going mad having their careers depend on the whims of tik tok posting 19 year olds who suddenly think things will somehow become better in some other college town.
Bryce we hardly knew you, and while some here like to say once a Jayhawk always a Jayhawk, I tend to save that for those who gave us something to remember them by.
Thanks, Bryce. I’ll always remember that thing you did that time. It was pretty ok.
I wonder how much the portal is also due to the stringent health requirements and the effects on players' mental health. Self talks about it extensively on the Jayhawker https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jayhawker-podcast/id1492511586?i=1000516947104 ↗
@FarmerJayhawk Yep. KU had very strict covid protocols.
From what I read, his dad had a problem with the staff.
@BShark said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
@wissox Yeah there is going to be much less loyalty among players and coaches now with the rule likely becoming permanent. For better or worse I guess :/
4 year players at KU will be like dinosaur's now going forward
@Crimsonorblue22 that seems to be the case more often than not. Sounds like this has been brewing for a while
@Crimsonorblue22 said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
From what I read, his dad had a problem with the staff.
Correct. The assistants in particular really did not like him from what I heard.
I wonder why the assts. and not coach Self?
@Crimsonorblue22 the assistant coaches are the ones the players go to when they’re down/upset about playing time etc... my guess is that Bryce didn’t like hearing the hard truth. Your just not good enough right now
Bryce had the worst season ever (advanced stats) or anyone for KU that played real minutes. Yes, worse than Charlie Moore by a fair margin. That's nuts.
Also, why he like the long 2pt jump shot so much I'll never understand...
@Kcmatt7 said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
@BShark a lot of clanked FT line jumpers... a lot
ALOT of ugly jumpers no matter where from
Hard to not just say "goodbye then" after seeing this.
Ugh turning the page on this one. Obviously didn't want to fight for his spot just wanted it handed
@BShark said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
Hard to not just say "goodbye then" after seeing this.
Bryce Thompson went from a "I'm sure going to miss this kid, and I'll always try to follow his progress while wishing nothing but the best for him" to a category of I wish he never considered KU because I loathe the fact he donned the crimson and blue. That's elite company that only 3 previous Jayhawks ever achieved this category in my opinion: JR Giddens, Carlton Bragg, and Micah Downs.
Why is the staff not picking up/researching personalities/backgrounds that would be a tell for not willing to work hard? Grimes and now Thompson fall into this.
@BigBad Well Bill knows the dad and all the talk was about how Bryce is a hard worker. The reality is however that you do not know how kids are going to respond until they get to college. Times have also changed. Russ Rob and Brannen Greene both had a dad that wouldn't let them transfer if memory serves.
@bmensch Wow! Thank you for sharing that article. I’m shocked by all of Bryce’s quotes. Makes it sound like he’s a pretty spoiled kid who didn’t like getting yelled at by Bill or having any pressure put on him. Too bad as life only gets harder and expectations are a constant no matter where you play or what you do.
@joeloveshawks said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
@bmensch Wow! Thank you for sharing that article. I’m shocked by all of Bryce’s quotes. Makes it sound like he’s a pretty spoiled kid who didn’t like getting yelled at by Bill or having any pressure put on him. Too bad as life only gets harder and expectations are a constant no matter where you play or what you do.
Golden Spoon child
@BShark said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
@BigBad Well Bill knows the dad and all the talk was about how Bryce is a hard worker. The reality is however that you do not know how kids are going to respond until they get to college. Times have also changed. Russ Rob and Brannen Greene both had a dad that wouldn't let them transfer if memory serves.
Bryce wants things handed to him - -A no worker
I'm not ready to character assassinate Bryce from the quotes in this article. He got injured, he never again saw the season high in minutes / points from the first game. I'm sure the entire season was stressful and he worried about falling out of the rotation. I think he'll do well on a smaller school where he doesn't have to handle some of the concerns that you have at a school like Kansas.
@approxinfinity 1,000 upvotes
@approxinfinity Going to OSU (according to Slater so take it fwiw). Not really a smaller school.... And I think they may be hiring his dad or something.
There definitely shouldn't be character assassinations, but I do understand the frustration from fans with Bryce. The guy played about as poorly as you could and still got like 18 mpg when healthy and appears to be complaining about PT.
To be fair to him though, not sure Bill is an easy guy to play for... Plays mind games with guys in practice. Challenges their manhood. Makes sure everyone there knows who is boss. We've all heard the stories.
Still, Bryce had the Grimes mindset coming in... And this is P5 college basketball. Expected to come in and be BMOC, put in his year, maybe 2, and then go pro. But once you step on the court, your 247 rating doesn't mean anything with Bill.
Bryce will be good. Saw his workouts before KU. Was hard to get in a flow w/2 injuries. He’ll be better than some we have now.
@approxinfinity said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
I'm not ready to character assassinate Bryce from the quotes in this article. He got injured, he never again saw the season high in minutes / points from the first game. I'm sure the entire season was stressful and he worried about falling out of the rotation. I think he'll do well on a smaller school where he doesn't have to handle some of the concerns that you have at a school like Kansas.
Same. I’ve seen firsthand how hard this year was on many a college freshman. I certainly see the appeal of going back home with near guaranteed minutes. I’m sorry to see him go though. I think we would’ve been really good for us eventually.
I was thinking...the NBA is a superstar league. You get your big 3, fill in the remaining 12 or 14 (whatever the NBA player limit is) with role players. You're a 3 point guy, you're my I need to foul this dude a couple of times, you're my speed guy to drive down the middle of the line and throw the lob or kick for a corner 3, and you're my setting screens guy, and you're my rebounding guy,, etc. Etc. I get that these kids are 18, 19 or 20 years old....but if these kids transfer because they're not happy with playing times or roles....why would an NBA franchise invest millions on someone who gave up because of a little adversity. This adversity is gonna happen in the league unless you're a physical monster like ayton or athletic specimen like Mitchell or Tatum. Get him on board, work 20 minutes with them, and then play games. You don't "got it"....the role is taken way down to a singular task.
Why would someone even consider drafting a grimes...or thompson...or McClung? From a personal standpoint in just business, when you're looking to hire someone with very little experience....say a 28 year old...and you look at their resume and see they transferred schools twice and worked at 3 different places in a 6 year span....would you hire them? I wouldn't, nor have I ever supported such a decision because you know they'll do the same thing to you they did to the other people. You'll invest time and money to train and hone their skills only to see them jump ship at the first obstacle or "missed" opportunity.
This thompson thing really has me bothered. On the opposite spectrum, I applaud the likes of Martin, yesefu, and curry. Started in a small pond and now they are seeing what they can really do against really tough competition. Whether they went to KU, or Duke, kentucky, whatever...they are actually trying to prove themselves. Thompson and grimes did the complete opposite.
And that ladies and gentlemen, is what really grinds my gears.
As you mentioned, the NBA is a superstar driven league, with the rest of the spots filled with role players and specialists.
Now ask yourself, in his minutes this year, was Bryce Thompson able to showcase his skills in any way that would give an NBA GM a reason to think he has the skillset to fill any of those roles on an NBA team? The answer is clearly NO.
So when you are comparing it to the business world, you see Thompson (or McClung or Grimes, or whoever) as a guy that at their previous school didn't even have the qualifications to apply. They are the equivalent of a resume that doesn't even pass the initial screening to get to the hiring committee.
But by transferring, McClung and Grimes have both gotten opportunities to really show their abilities. Grimes particularly.
You also have to remember that the NBA isn't going to have a lot of guys, particularly role players, that will stay with one team for a long time. Robert Horry, perhaps the greatest role player of his generation, won seven championships with three different teams (and played for four teams, total).
Some of the best role players in the league now have played for 3 or 4 teams already in their career. The Morris twins have each played for multiple teams (Markieff has played for five, Marcus for six).
Most players, especially role players, won't play for just one franchise, so it's doubtful an NBA GM holds attending multiple colleges against them. That may be a benefit, because they have already seen two different systems and coaching staffs.
@justanotherfan good perspective.
Makes it hard to buy a jersey! Really happy to see josh Jackson finally put his problems behind him🙏 I hope so, anyway. He was close to losing it all. Seems like you have to keep your suitcase ready to go. Svi seems to be doing well, and Benny mac has had some good games with the lakers. That guy has the worse luck, him and Frank!
Hope BMac kills it and the Lakers have another deep playoff run.
@Crimsonorblue22 said in Bryce Thompson to transfer:
That guy has the worse luck, him and Frank!
Anyone drafted by or traded to Sacramento has the worst luck. I think Webster's has a Kings logo in the definition of "crappy luck."
I still fondly remember the scrappy Chris Webber, Vladi, Stinky, Bibby, etc Sactown teams circa 2001. (yeah I know Bibby is a dirty word around here, but those teams were good). Too bad they turned into a blackhole since.
I almost don't want to wear my Mason Kings shirt the way they did him dirty.
Bibby’s daughter is jalens gf
