🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Well, we have quite the roster conundrum at this point. Our "13 scholarships" are currently divided this way:

• 1: DG
• 2: Newman
• 3: Cunfliffe - Eligible 2nd Semester
• 4: Doke
• 5: Garrett
• 6: Coleby
• 7: Lightfoot
• 8: Vick
• 9: Preston
• 10: Jack Whitman - Grad transfer
• 11: D-Law
• 12: K-Law
• 13: Moore

But, are we REALLY out of scholarships? Out of the race against Mizzou for Tilmon? We can't get Svi back anymore?

I don't think so. What if we have our cake and eat it too? It appears as though we have a lot of options:

• Jack Whitman went to William & Mary. I have no idea if the same admissions standards are expected out of athletes, but I'm sure there are at least above average standards. It could be possible for Whitman to be on an Academic Scholarship. His father went to Vandy and his brother went to Harvard. So I think this is pretty academically focused family. And probably a successful one at that. He very well could be a self-pay.

• One of the Lawson's is a self-pay. Their father made a pretty penny the last 3 years as an assistant coach.

• One of the Lawson's or Moore is a "student manager." They don't play, but they practice. The school would then be allowed to pay them, providing they do perform managerial duties. And, they wouldn't have to even be enrolled in school full-time if I'm not mistaken. They could take 1 class and still be able to. We did something similar with Svi and Coleby during the University games so they could practice with the team all summer.

• The Lawson's live together in a house. Whichever one is on scholarship will get a stipend for housing to essentially pay rent for both and they will live off campus together. "Rent" would probably pretty cheap if I was guessing... The one not on scholarship will take a 1 credit hour class called "Hudyizing" and also be a "volunteer" practice player. Women's basketball team uses male students to practice against. Seems like that would still be within the rules...

These are the ideas I have... Feel free to add or poke holes. I think the thought that we could wiggle our way into 2 more open scholarships doesn't close the door on Svi or Tilmon yet. I don't think the NCAA rules are quite up to date with the current transfer increase, and we might be able to find some serious wiggle room and squeeze 15 guys onto our squad this season. If Whitman is indeed on Academic scholarship, Bill might just be an evil genius...

@Kcmatt7 "It could be possible for Whitman to be on an Academic Scholarship."

I don't think so unless there are some highly unusual circumstances we don't know about. This article examines when schools can give academic scholarships to athletes. Way too long and complicated to summarize, so you should read it and maybe you will understand it better than I did!

http://diycollegerankings.com/can-college-athletes-receive-athletic-academic-scholarships/6267/ ↗

@mayjay I posted this on another board.

NCAA BYLAW 15.02.4.2 EXEMPTED INSTITUTIONAL AID The following institutional financial aid is exempt and is not counted in determining a student-athlete's full grant-in-aid or cost of attendance, or in the institution's financial aid limitations:

(e) A postgraduate scholarship awarded by an institution in accordance with Bylaw 16.1.3.1.1; (Adopted: 1/10/05)

As long as it is in accordance with other scholarships given out for the same degree he is seeking at that institution and it his athletics have no basis on the scholarship, it is exempt. There is also a part where it says that if he is part of a research grant, that is also exempt. If he were to do research as part of his degree, such as a fellowship (which many schools provide) he would be allowed to be exempt. With his degree being in the medical field, those are all options.

There are a lot of options for Grad programs. A Grad-Assistant in a non-basketball related program would cover it fully. If he were to do research, that would also cover it. Another option is a "fellowship." There are tons of options.

I'm not saying he will get one. I'm saying it is possible. We could have taken him because he was the best option available and Tilmon and Svi both said they weren't going to be here next year. But, there are options.

We are in a very very rare scenario where we could actually have more players than scholarships. Most teams can only field 13 players that MIGHT be worth a scholarship With 3 transfers sitting out, we are in a scenario to fill a roster with a potential of 15 players worthy of a scholarship. It might be time to get creative...

Sorry that is a little rough to read. I copy and pasted from a couple of posts. But you can get the gist.

I would say this could add some fuel to the Dwight Coleby being a grad transfer rumor.

@Kcmatt7 Taits article on other site said Bill offered him a scholarship.

Dwight did transfer I think we would be just fine

I still think the most viable option for making room for someone is that one or both Lawson's are Self-pay guys this year. It might cost them a total of $15k.

Svi might even be able to do Self-pay to come back. That could always have been Bills condition. If I run out of scholarships before you come back you pay out of pocket.

I believe he said he made good money and that it wasn't an issue, but Keelon Lawson's salary was around $120K. At that salary you aren't turning down a scholarship for you son/sons when they definitely could have one elsewhere.

Salary info ↗

@dylans He made $250k the two previous seasons.

Also, by self-pay, I mean pay for one class. Could be bowling. Which should allow them to be a "volunteer" practice player, much like women's basketball teams use volunteers from the student population in practice. It would only cost like $400 for the one class and then whatever housing costs...

I almost think that is an amazing selling point. Hey, take one class during your year off and focus on nothing but basketball. Dedric can live in the weight room with Hudy and get his athleticism to where it needs to be. They don't have to focus on school at all this year, just prepping for a breakout season in 2018.

@Kcmatt7 You pose some intriguing scenarios regarding the Lawsons. I'm wondering if Dad Lawson will reside in Lawrence for 2 or 3 years. That might resolve the housing situation for the younger of his two sons...who might demand close supervision.

@KCmatt7 nope Lawson got a $20,000 raise in new role to $120K, so I don't believe he will be paying their way anytime soon. Esp. Since his job is now in jeopardy without the security of having his boys there.

Keelon Lawson, the father of Tigers sophomore forwards Dedric and K.J. Lawson, will make $120,000 in base salary under Smith in his new role as director of player development. That's $20,000 more than he made as an assistant coach the last two seasons under Pastner.

Memphis recently released the salaries of Smith's assistant coaching staff to The CA in response to an open records request.

Assistants coaches Alvin "Pooh" Williamson will make $240,000; Joe Esposito will make $235,000; and Saul Smith will make $180,000 this season.

@dylans I stand corrected.

But that is still enough money to pay $10-12K for one season. If it would even be that much.

@Kcmatt7 It is if you had to. But this is the teams problem not the Lawson's, so I doubt that's the sacrafice that will made.

@dylans the only reason I say it might be worth it, is that they wouldn't have to go to class that year.

It would be a strictly basketball year for them, and a business decision that is much more long-term. Dedric is a 1st round pick if he can put together an 18 pts and 10 rbs season and improve his athleticism a little bit. KJ is ROUGH. A year of dedicated basketball might be just what the doctor ordered.

Currently, they will have to take a full 12 hours at the very least. Daily practice time is limited per NCAA rules. If they weren't technically on the roster this year, they could practice all they wanted... Without school. And neither of them needs more classes as this will be their 3rd year of classes and they have 2 more eligible semesters. If they want their degree they have plenty of time to get it for free.

It would be an intriguing thought for the family. I'm sure you are right that this probably won't happen, I'm just pointing out that it is a much more attractive choice than it first seems.

@Kcmatt7

I just don't see any player taking just one class while waiting for a scholarship. First, it is a huge waste of time sitting around for a year and no responsible parent would go along with it and second and more importantly, the optics would be horrible, the comparisons to Calipari and his NBA waiting room would be all over and I just don't see Coach Self agreeing to this, no way, no how.

@Kcmatt7 Pretty sure they couldn't practice with the team or make use of ADept facilities unless on the squad.

@mayjay Idk, the "managers" get to...

@Kcmatt7 According to this article, managers are not allowed by the NCAA to participate in drills or practice with the team:

http://work.chron.com/college-basketball-manager-requirements-19388.html ↗

I think the rules in general are set up to discourage the type of work-arounds you are envisioning!

@mayjay I don't see that here.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/genrel/auto_pdf/comp-rules-managers.pdf ↗

@mayjay But I do see it here ↗

So I guess we can cross that one off the list of possibilities.

Also poking a hole in my "volunteer player."

They have own rules that allow the women's team to use guys.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/D117.pdf ↗

Kcmatt7 said:

@mayjay I don't see that here.

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/lou/genrel/auto_pdf/comp-rules-managers.pdf ↗

Looks like a partial discussion only of some rules and proposed changes or comments.

Besides, that is from Louisville, and doesn't say their managers can't be pimps, and look where that got them!

Matt has a write-up on this... lays out some possibilities. Heck... he still thinks we can get Svi back and land up to two more recruits. I believe it to be way too much "pie in the sky" but who knows?

http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tale-tait/2017/may/2/an-overview-of-kus-scholarship-situation/ ↗

@Kcmatt7 Be careful how you spell "Self-pay." I think you just committed an NCAA violation! 😄

@drgnslayr

I am not sure Tait offers much in the way of new information, just a rehash of what has been discussed already. I am sure Coach Self has a plan that has been fully vetted by people a lot more knowledgeable on the subject than us.

@JayHawkFanToo

Yep... I have faith in Bill on this. He knows what he is doing.

http://cjonline.com/sports/hawkzone/2017-05-03/jack-whitman-expects-interesting-dynamic-seventh-ku-basketball-transfer ↗

Not sure if already posted but Whitman will be on full scholarship.