🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Well found this from a poster off another KU site. - I realize that yes probably most of us already pretty well know most of this -heard this before -So don't hammer the delivery / message guy lol.

This guy SEEMS to know what he is talking about, seems like he has had some inside information on other topics - -such as the inside poop on Devon and such - seems like he doesn't just blow smoke Sooo:

He had a thread and he stated: Wonder if they ( KU ) will look any better with 3 more scholarship players. - - -Which of course brought up follow responses such as - -you know something? - -What gives - etc - -etc.

So later he say the following: Nothing has been 100% confirmed, you will hear the news as soon as it is, ALL the things are in place, basically just waiting and they don't think it could be for long. He says - -I know it's annoying to wait, but it's MORE annoying for them + for the players so take that in mind.

The two week time period that I ( he ) was told is lining up well. It basically guaranteed BOTH will be playing this season at some point. The 3rd player is Cunliffe who probably won't get a lot of minutes, but still is someone to add in some situations and an improvement.

So guys like I said, I know most of this is already been talked about , but yet again this guy normally turns out some pretty good info. My question is , he talks about a two week timeline BUT a two week timeline from when would be my question?

Man could you imagine if we could get Billy & De-Sousa both in here then add Sam which he is now available anyways but MAN what a difference these guys could be to help - -hopefully this will come about soon. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@jayballer54 I hope beyond hope this is true!! This KU team sorely needs backup. They are floating down river in a Rhib with no gas, low on ammo, half of them are battle injured and half of them are shell shocked. They need back up! Post Haste!!

FREE BILLY

Self did say they were close to an update on Billy, that was last week so I’d expect word any day now. I know De Sousa twitted that he was gonna be some where sooner than expect yesterday, could be nothing but who knows. Obviously we know Sam can go and Self as talked highly of his athletic ability. That means he could get minutes for defensive purposes at some point, doubt it’s a ton this weekend but who knows with Newman’s issues (would suck to go thru finals with a concussion) he could see several minutes.

I would expect Silvio at this point given his tweet. Can't imagine he tweets that if he didn't get a good test score. Kids tho...

I heard something today from a mid-level KU donor. He says the "rumor" is that an agent purchased the car for Preston. He does not expect that Preston will ever play. Who knows? I don't.

@HighEliteMajor I heard that his AAU coach gave him the car and that his mom was trying to come up with cash to purchase it and the issue go away per say.

I heard both of those plus a well known KU booster bought the car🤔

BShark said:

I would expect Silvio at this point given his tweet. Can't imagine he tweets that if he didn't get a good test score. Kids tho...

A buddy of mine and I were talking last night, and his tweet was part of the conversation. We kind of wondered hell he could have his test score, found out he was good to go and was in the process of packing when he tweeted.

You know the scuttlebutt had been he was probably going to be here for the 2nd semester and his game eligible to play would be the start of conference against Texas. - Hell who know he might be on his way. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@HighEliteMajor ME neither. - -you know and I know that NOBODY except Billy and a few other upper ups know for sure . - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Man, of all the options, a booster buying the car seems like the worst one. Give me the AAU coach narrative. Maybe we can call him a mentor?

As long as it’s not an agent or runner it has the possibility of being undone.

Call me dementedly old fashioned, but a reputed gifted car appears a reputed gifted car, regardless of who reputedly bought/leased it for him--other than his mother, right?

I mean how can KU and the NCAA rationalize this as anything but improper compensation?

Can't you just hear KU in-house counsel and some compliance guy kicking this around?

Well, uh, how about calling it "a complimentary motorized pair of shoes"?

No, I don't think that'll hunt.

Well, how about calling it "a complimentary wheeled running suit"?

Erm, that's possible, but we better come up with a Plan B just in case.

Got it. How about calling it an "Uber rental that he kept a really long time"?

(Note: all fiction. No malice.)

I just don't see how this is going to work, but, of course, as usual, we don't know all (any?) of the facts.

Well read this morning that Silvio in an interview said or so it sounds that Friday will be the day he should know the test score from his SAT, and sounds like he is feeling pretty positive about it.

SOOO, I guess now it's Friday looks like as a date we will probably know whether he comes in time for the Conference portion OR he won't be here till next summer. - -Keeping fingers crossed, we shall see - - maybe we all need to tell Santee what our top priority for a present is this Christmas, hope you all have been really good. - -we want DE-SOUSA - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

If any of the rumors are true I'm severely questioning the intellect of the Preston family

Sitting here this morning early - - -cause that's what I do lol - is sit here, no seriously sitting here and got to thinking more about De-Sousa.

OK , and I'm sure someone can help me with this but here is what I just got to thinking about. So he has taken and now taken again this SAT test to gain admittance right? - -So evidently his score the other time wasn't good enough so this is why he took again right?

So my question is now if he needs this score to come , what if it isn't good enough again? - -I mean ya I know they said if he doesn't score high enough then he will wait till Summer, but what difference does that make? - I mean if he needs a certain score to be able to come what difference does it make whether he tries to come now - -tries next Summer or whenever? - -If he needs to pass this SAT and get a passing score then he will not be able to come no matter when it is right? - -Whether it's now - -spring - -summer - whenever. - -If he can't get a passing score on this then he doesn't come period is that right? - -If that's the case then = = =DAMN. -Somebody help me out here, tell me my thinking isn't right about this. - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@jayballer54 You have to have a 1060 + 3.25 gpa or 1160 + 3.0 to get in. 21/24 ACT. Not terribly high numbers but higher than they used to be. He would have a lot more time to take a class to prep for the test and retake if he comes in June. We should have chipped in and given him an SAT prep book as an early Christmas present.

Fightsongwriter said:

@jayballer54 You have to have a 1060 + 3.25 gpa or 1160 + 3.0 to get in. 21/24 ACT. Not terribly high numbers but higher than they used to be. He would have a lot more time to take a class to prep for the test and retake if he comes in June. We should have chipped in and given him an SAT prep book as an early Christmas present.

Hey thanks for the info. I knew I could count on someone to clear this up for me, as I had no idea. - -Sure hopes he makes the cut, from what it sounds like we might know something by Friday, keep your fingers crossed. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

They can shoe horn anyone in. How many players do you ever hear of anymore being academically ineligible? Getting in early sounds like it may be different.

@BeddieKU23

I agree. If a 2-star prospect from a small school that still plays 8-man iron man football in the middle of nowhere doesn’t know all the rules, I could maybe understand, but a top prospect that went to an elite prep basketball school, Oak Hill Academy where the emphasis is getting top prospects to elite schools, just defies logic and by extension implies willingness by him and his family to ignore the rules; no other explanation makes sense. AAU coaches, agents and boosters know this is not allowed and could not do it without the individual and family tacit approval. Why anyone would risk so much for so little escapes me.

@jayballer54

The scores mentioned are the ones required to enroll and be eligible to play. The school can and does accep students with lower scores but NCAA and Conference rules prevent them from playing. McLemore and Traylor had to sit one season because they had academic shortcomings. If his score is not high enough, KU might let him enrol anyway but he would not be able to play.

So, we have player and family who know that it's a violation; we have third parties assisting that knows it's a violation; and we have a KU compliance department that didn't catch it. I'm assuming the vehicle was parked at McCarthy hall. Unless the compliance department was an accomplice here (purposefully or negligently), it is reasonable to assume that the player/family lied about the financial arrangements related to the vehicle. The first thing I'd want to know is how did the player get the vehicle, who paid for it, when it was purchased, and I'd want to see all paperwork. Seems easy, right? Unless folks are trying to deceive. Nearly two months and the kid isn't playing. That tells us something.

@JayHawkFanToo Gotcha , Thanks. - -It's my understanding though if he did not get a passing score that he will stay put and not come until next summer is what I had heard. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@HighEliteMajor

That would be the logical conclusion. I posted before that if the car purchase was above board the issue would have been resolved in 15 minutes. The fact that has taken this long appears to indicate that either the Prestons are/we’re trying to come up with a plausible explanation/excuse or trying to fix the issue; neither bides well.

@HighEliteMajor

I agree with your entire post.

What do we make of Self's comments about this situation saying it's unlike any he's dealt with in the past.

We've had some head scratchers in the past so that at least opens the possibility that this situation is unique and not clear-cut as we may seem?.

Is that all just deflection on Self's part?

Is there merit to what's he saying? Is there any possible reason Preston would be innocent here as some quote on quote "insiders" have posted? Did KU compliance in response to the FBI/NCAA situation take this a few too many steps in order to keep the wheel clean on the program? Would Preston have even sat if the FBI hadn't come knockin' on doors.

The time its taken to clear this situation just screams something is not right here.

If he's found innocent, robbed of playing games because of some cautionary tale do we get mad- or demand answers, demand change? I really haven't thought of that side of this.

Thoughts are welcome.

HighEliteMajor said:

They can shoe horn anyone in. How many players do you ever hear of anymore being academically ineligible? Getting in early sounds like it may be different.

The would be starter for West Virginia is one of those cases -Esa Ahmad but agree, we have seen less of the AI cases lately

JayHawkFanToo said:

@BeddieKU23

I agree. If a 2-star prospect from a small school that still plays 8-man iron man football in the middle of nowhere doesn’t know all the rules, I could maybe understand, but a top prospect that went to an elite prep basketball school, Oak Hill Academy where the emphasis is getting top prospects to elite schools, just defies logic and by extension implies willingness by him and his family to ignore the rules; no other explanation makes sense. AAU coaches, agents and boosters know this is not allowed and could not do it without the individual and family tacit approval. Why anyone would risk so much for so little escapes me.

Bingo!

To some that paid attention to the Preston eligibility situation at Oak Hill- Billy even getting eligible without a ton of attention was defying logic in itself. It's ironic that he ended up Academically ok but is now ineligible from the school to play because of off-the-court issues

Finances can be tricky.

Perhaps the purchase was legit, but when you open up your finances, that can lead to more questions. What about this purchase? What about that one? Let's look at your tax records. Let me see your mortgage/rent statement.

When you look into someone's finances, you usually don't just answer the question right away. It leads to more questions.

Think about it this way. When you go to buy a house, it takes 30-60 days to close at a minimum. And that's once you are approved (meaning they already have all of your information when that 30-60 day clock starts running). While you are going through that process, people are combing through your records to make sure your work history and credit history suggest that you can afford that house. They are verifying employment. Verifying raises and bonuses. Checking with former landlords (if this is a first time buyer), etc. Verifying that the direct deposits into your account match your income statements.

Even if the car purchase was legit, they want to see if everything else matches (i.e., are you paying for the car, plus your other expenses, out of your accounts, or is someone else chipping in). That takes time, unfortunately.

The answer, of course (which is unfair to big time prospects), is to show up on campus in a crappy used car so no one questions it.

@jaybate-1.0

I'd like to know if our coaches actually talk to our players about not screwing up.

Is there the conversation, "so when you arrive in Lawrence, you shouldn't stick out. You, suddenly, shouldn't be driving fancy cars or wearing fancy Rolex watches. You should realize you will be under a microscope. If you mess up you mess up for our entire team and you put a negative mark down on your future. And, you will be booted from the team."

Is that being said? If it is, and if Billy did something really boneheaded, like driving around in a vehicle provided for by an agent or old coach, shouldn't he be booted off this team?

This all sounds like a player making the biggest sin possible. If this is what happened, boot him off this team. We don't need trouble and the best way to deal with trouble is to terminate it.

I'm not so sure in this story being spread. I hope it is something else and Billy will be back on the court soon!

Pretty sure all athletes have to attend a class or lecture on this kind of thing. Requirement!

Perhaps Billy was moonlighting as an Uber driver making the vehicle a company vehicle further complicating the financial picture. It could also be argued whoever purchased the car did so as an investment in a small business (as all Uber drivers are considered their own small biz). With that in mind perhaps upcoming changes in the Tax Law will help free Billy!

As an Uber driver he likely received undocumented tips which could be construed as improper benefits. We keep hearing "financial situation surrounding the vehicle." It's important for us to explore every possible financial situation so that we can figure this out before a decision is made by KU. As far as I know, the NCAA is not yet even involved! Just think how long THEIR investigation might take!

What's the take away?

Use Lyft.

Questions, so many questions,

So if he's received this car in some way that's not cool with the NCAA, but we didn't use him in a game the worst consequence for us is we don't get to use him, correct?

In other words, this doofus doesn't know, or doesn't think he'll get caught, or whatever can not get us put on probation as it stands now, right?

Maybe we're fortunate he got into the minor accident because then he's playing while driving a car that he shouldn't, and then we do get nailed for major violations, right?

Once they find out it was an agent or a booster, we're going to find out his/her address and light a paper bag on his porch that is full of poop and ring the doorbell and watch as he puts out the fire with his fancy shoes, right?

And finally, should we add a wing to the rules of basketball museum (anyone seen it? I'd love to) and call it the KU hall of shame, and feature doofusi who bring shame, embarrassment and more losses on our beloved university? Make every recruit walk thru it so they understand what's at stake.

Maybe his mom didn't tell him? Who knows?

@wissox

Yeah this doesn't look like a situation where KU is at fault in any shape or form. We are the one's that raised the flags and then reported the info to the NCAA. Only if what they reported was tied to the program in some way would that become an issue. With everything out there this seems to be Billy's issue and nothing else

Crimsonorblue22 said:

Pretty sure all athletes have to attend a class or lecture on this kind of thing. Requirement!

Spot on. I know several kids that play football and basketball at Olathe South and I know they are lectured on what it is required to play at the next level so they are all aware about scholastic as well as off the field rules and regulations. Parents are also sent NCAA brochures with all kinds of information and the athletic department has knowledgeable people ready to help student and parent during the process,

Inconceivable that a school like Oak Hill Academy, where top basketball prospect go to get ready to play at the next level, would not drill into them what the academic requirements are and what is and isn't allowed off the field. The reality is that some prospects just don't want to work hard, or at all, to get to the next level and do not want to wait to derive benefits which they have yet to earn.

The funny part is that every spot that he drops in the draft because he is not playing will cost him more than dozens of cars. So shortsighted.

This has gone on so long.......I am assuming he does not play for us.

Billy. that is.

@Hawk8086 I get the feeling Self is just waiting to announce it at the semester break.

Here’s what I 100% know on Billy. It’s now out of KU’s hands. They presented their findings (of which I’m not privy to) to the NCAA, who’s now reviewing them. KU is just waiting on the green light. Could be tomorrow, could be never. We just don’t know.

@FarmerJayhawk you did say "green" light. 😬

@Crimsonorblue22 Billy almost certainly will play, just a question of when.

FarmerJayhawk said:

@Crimsonorblue22 Billy almost certainly will play, just a question of when.

Source? Link?

@HawkChamp farmers are good on their word!

Here is a link ↗ to a Q&A with JesseNewell that touches on several items.

@Crimsonorblue22 You raise an interesting question...

Excerpt from Love and Basketball: Top Recruit Billy Preston Taking Family Values to Heart by Jason King (July 28, 2015)

"As long as he (Billy) does what he's supposed to do, I'll run through a wall for my son," (Nicole) Player said. "I know the move was tough on him, but Billy does not make a decision in my household. He's still a minor.

"A lot of things can go awry when kids start making decisions for the household because they're supposed to be the breadwinner eventually. He's not making a dime today. I'm just a parent trying to put my kids in a good situation."

HawkChamp said:

FarmerJayhawk said:

@Crimsonorblue22 Billy almost certainly will play, just a question of when.

Source? Link?

Source: one who would know. We’re all in the dark as far as timetable though. The NCAA does like to take its sweet time.

@CRH107 not a minor now, huh? Just really want to believe her!

FarmerJayhawk said:

@Crimsonorblue22 Billy almost certainly will play, just a question of when.

Well you made me feel better.........

The idea that Silvo will help is laughable if you know Bill Self. He HATES young and dumb. Think of all the talented freshman Self has given the quick hook to over the years. How many freshmen dont see the floor once conference play starts. All of those guys had a summer, bootcamp, preseason, exhibition, and early season to get right and still pissed off old Bill. Unless Silvo has the ability of Josh Jackson and the brains of a senior he wont help at all.
Cunliffe and Silvo will just be bodies.

Billy Preston is the only guy, currently not playing, talented enough to help the team win some games.

Well shooty - crappity crap crap crap. - - I don't know when ever De-Sousa be coming.

Listen to Coach Self just now, he says, that they ( KU ) dealing with Angola - trying to speak French or whatever - - - -says as far as his grades they feel very optimistic - -about De-souse playing - -but his foreign Country STILL has some things that are incomplete. - -That doesn't sound like a quick decision coming. - - -I just don't know.

And the typical update on Billy - -Bill feels VERY optimistic about Billy playing. Feels like KU has done a very good job putting stuff together, -he says he eels it could be a very quick turn around BUT he then says BUT you never know they may say things are all good to go - -OR they may say we need more information - - - time running out for Billy. - -who knows. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BAB

After further review a article from Tom Keegan said from Coach Self speaking Wednsday night. - -said this: - -That the findings that KU had - -now are you ready for this? - -hold on - -The findings haven't yet been turned over the NCAA. - - ummmm WHAT? - -WHAT? ARE YOU SERIOUS? - not even turned over to the NCAA yet? - - -REALLY?

Yet you feel optimistic that Billy will play this year around some where around the beginning of big 12 play? -Are we talking about the same NCAA that loves to drag their feet? - -Still has yet to be turned over? -Let the fat lady sing boys - -start the bus.

Then in his interview, it say at one point in his talk he said IF and when - -then paused and changed his tune a bit and said I should SAY when.

That to me sounds like a Coach that is not very sure about a return. Billy was driving the late model car with expired temp tags out of florida - -Great. - I think he is done -could be wrong but I am not holdin my breath - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Crimsonorblue22 said:

Pretty sure all athletes have to attend a class or lecture on this kind of thing. Requirement!

That's what I think. But if that is the case, and he did something breaking the rules from that lecture, shouldn't he be booted off the team?

I'm a big fan of Billy and want to see him on the court, but my line in the sand is when players go rogue from our program and get our entire team in trouble!

Coach Self says this team has a chance to become deep in a very short amount of time.

He says they are in the 11th hour with Silvio - -that we should probably be getting some kind of answers hopefully within the next week to 10 days.

As far as Billy what throws me is they still haven't turned the paper work over to the NCAA. - -that's just crazy as we all know how the NCAA likes to drag their feet. I'm smelling trouble there - -hope not. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@jayballer54 De Sousa will,know his test scores tomorrow and could be in Lawrence as soon as Sunday.

kjayhawks said:

@jayballer54 De Sousa will,know his test scores tomorrow and could be in Lawrence as soon as Sunday.

Here is what Coach Self said in his interview about DeSousa: Silvio is expected to get his SAT score back Friday. But even if his score is good enough to make him academically eligible Self says there were still other hurdles that had to be cleared before DeSousa could suit up for the Jayhawks.

Everynody ( has to be approved by the NCAA clearinghouse ) Self said that process has already started.The thing with Silvio that is unique is we are dealing with Angola and our ability to either speak French or Portiquese in a way to get additional information to help him has been some what limited.

So we think he is in pretty good shape depending on his test score.

He could be eligible but not cleared to play until Jan 10th - - He could be eligible and maybe cleared before Christmas, or he could also not make it and not come and stay and play at IMG

So there is questions but the answers will probably take place in the next week to 10 days.

So ya he could score high enough and be here by Sunday - -but may have to wait like Coach Self says for awhile - be eligible to be here but not eligible to play. -- ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@jayballer54 The NCAA deal and Billy really threw me too. 810 said that maybe the thought was that ku did such good due diligence that they would rule quickly when presented with all the evidence. But when has the NCAA ever done anything quickly for us?

@jayballer54

This really should not be a big surprise. DeSouza was not expected to enroll until the summer or fall of 2018 so he probably thought he had plenty of time available. Since it became feasible that he could enroll early, they are now trying to speed up the process, something that is not easy when dealing with countries where this type of paperwork moves very slowly.

Well today is suppose to be THE day when De-Sousa finds out about his test. - -I'm sure if he passes - -scores good he will be all over twitter about it.

If it is quiet then it means possibly one of two things: - - Either he didn't get his results today - - Or he got the results but he didn't pass, So lets hope something breaks - and he lights it up letting the world know. - -keepin the fingers crossed. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Silvio is good pending NCAA clearance.