🏀 KuBuckets Archive

Billy has signed with a pro team in Bosnia.
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/ ↗

I posted these earlier in a different thread
!0_1516456639259_bp2.JPG ↗

!0_1516456664716_bp.JPG ↗

Perhaps the biggest disaster of the Self era regarding a recruit. But we are better to have closure. And Self took action to get DeSousa in and eligible to mitigate the disaster. Now, let's play ball.

It is good to know that "BC Igokea will keep raising." We will all be watching, I'm sure.

At least it's officially over now.

Not surprised at all at this point. Maybe now that it's over, we'll get to hear the full story.

HighEliteMajor said:

Perhaps the biggest disaster of the Self era regarding a recruit. But we are better to have closure. And Self took action to get DeSousa in and eligible to mitigate the disaster. Now, let's play ball.

It is good to know that "BC Igokea will keep raising." We will all be watching, I'm sure.

Yep, it's obvious that Self knew. It would appear it goes to the Adidas scandal but KU wasn't directly involved. Note that 3/4 of his finalists were Adidas. What a mess.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

Not surprised at all at this point. Maybe now that it's over, we'll get to hear the full story.

Doubtful but it would be nice.

@BShark Why do you think it has something to do with the Adidas scandal?

@HighEliteMajor Why was he choosing between Adidas schools and there were rumors that he got paid? I mean there are almost always rumors about that but his definitely had the vibe. We were talking about how he might be trouble when we got him.

I don't think KU did anything wrong or was involved in paying him though.

WOOOOO. Byeeeeeee

Someone on 247 nailed it. Sexton playing at Bama, Bowen who was named for taking 100k from Louisville enrolled at South Carolina.

At least KU did the right thing not playing him.

BeddieKU23 said:

WOOOOO. Byeeeeeee

The best part is now the roster is finally set 100%. No more guessing, Self knows what he has to work with the rest of the year.

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that. I'm a really kidding because I believe Dave will be a fine young man here

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

WOOOOO. Byeeeeeee

The best part is now the roster is finally set 100%. No more guessing, Self knows what he has to work with the rest of the year.

Yes sir, no more questions. Preston should pay back the school for

Wasting it's resources

Did he even start the 2nd semester? Hopefully it doesn't affect apr

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that

I know you are joking but he seems like a good kid that plans to be here 4 years. Haven't read any of the crap I read about Diallo, Alexander or Preston leading up to and after their commitments...

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that

I know you are joking but he seems like a good kid that plans to be here 4 years. Haven't read any of the crap I read about Diallo, Alexander or Preston leading up to and after their commitments...

I'm totally joking but who can blame the Track record we are on with burger boy mess ups

🐦 View Tweet

Givony's twitter, not complimentary of Billy at all: https://twitter.com/DraftExpress ↗

He also had the same thought: Billy Preston yet another player caught up in the FBI/DOJ NCAA scandal. Paper trail leading back to adidas was likely too much for Kansas to risk considering the limited reward.

It's just speculation but unless KU ever puts anything out there (which I doubt) we will never know.

@BeddieKU23 Silvio to be ineligible next year somehow. That's about what I'd figure at this point. :joy:

But yeah the best part about this class is we didn't have to sign any risky players. Knocked it out of the park.

Happy it's resolved. For the players that we have. And now that our regularly scheduled basketball season has been interrupted... Back to basketball fellas. Only the team we have will take us wherever it is we're going this season. Work hard. Go get all ya can get Jayhawks.

Okay Billy Mom: So he is going overseas to make "millions" like you said (in the next five games--might be the highest pro rata contract in history).

Now, you promised the whole story when this was over?

I am always the biggest pro-HCBS apologist out here, but the whole process smacks of a bargain. We draw it out, file everything, make it look like we think you (BP) are only involved in something minor, and then you go overseas so the NCAA can just dispose of it without acting. You get to assert your innocence, we get you completing 1st semester--and maybe we also get to avoid any tarnish if the investigation implicated a booster.

@cragarhawk Well, we gotta find something else to wonder and gripe about now, don't we?

@mayjay the situation leaves plenty to be wondered and griped about if that's what ppl choose to do. I'm happy the team doesn't have to deal with it any longer. They can just go play with who they have. They can grow into everything that specific group can be with out being hindered by it all. I'm more excited for the team we have. It's a good day to be Jayhawk. Maybe this group will really really come together as is now. I'd love to see it.

BeddieKU23 said:

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that

I know you are joking but he seems like a good kid that plans to be here 4 years. Haven't read any of the crap I read about Diallo, Alexander or Preston leading up to and after their commitments...

I'm totally joking but who can blame the Track record we are on with burger boy mess ups

I can't go into details, but Grimes is the one I'd be most concerned with out of this class.

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that. I'm a really kidding because I believe Dave will be a fine young man here

Who is Dave?

@majalay Excellent theorizing. Interesting possibilities.

So as I’m reading more, if the adidas thing is part of this, the connect the dots could be Billy gets a car paid for by money he or his mom got from adidas? If that is true, then the dishonesty/deception is deep. But we don’t know. Will we ever know?

I hate to say it. Yet right on Preston. Do what you must. You're not going to get a fair shake from the NCAA. Well unless it's Duke, UNC, and Kentucky. You got pennies on a car, Yet how many athletes from UNC got 10 of thousands from UNC on their basket weaving classes?

No sir do what you must. I don't blame you. Just makes me sad that if you choose Duke, UNC, or UK you would playing. I so wanted you to be a Jayhawk.

@DoubleDD I doubt it friend.

So sad that the NCAA feels that getting Pennines on a car is the end of all ends. Yet if you are able to cheat and get free grades? No big deal. The NCAA is priceless.

@wissox

You doubt what?

So Ayton gets $$$ to go to Arizona and plays. Sexton gets money to go to Alabama and plays after being implicated by the FBI as guilty, but was cleared by NCAA. Billy gets nothing proven, no NCAA sanctions and no chance to play for KU? Weird world we live in. I’d just as soon see all kids who take a money forced to sit one year (even if it’s like Cliff).

@DoubleDD I doubt the NCAA goes easy on those three programs. They couldn't get away with it. Sadly, to me anyways, it's a common theme here.

@wissox

Ok explain how UNC got away with the basketweaving class. I haven't heard of any punishment from the NCAA?

@wissox

Plus are you going to tell me all this stud classes that UK has been gettin sense Cal showed up (Uk wasn't getting those recruiting classes before) nobody is getting paid?

@wissox

Or are you going to tell me that the Kentucky Wildcats are so awesome that they can get anybody they want without doing any thing wrong?

I pointed out that the process is like a trial where the defense presents its case based on the information submitted by the defendant which may or may not be true. I bet KU was pretty confident that it presented a good case and this is why Billy practiced and travelled with the team.

I will guess that early this week the NCAA showed KU evidence it did no have and this is why Coach Self stopped saying...any time now. I also thought that if he was not cleared by the start of classes which was last Tuesday, he likely would be gone and based on the timing of the signing appears to be correct and this is why I said I would be very surprised if he played this season at all.

This is one of those times I wish I had been wrong.

KU spent a shitload of money, I read $500K, that could have used for more worthwhile causes; I wish KU could recover the money. Maybe elite programs should band together and agree on a contract that prospects must sign that states that if they do not disclose conditions that would cause them to not qualify, they must reimburse the school for expenses incurred on his behalf and they can collect from future earnings. Preston and possee screwed KU big time.

@DoubleDD I don't know. I wasn't privvy to everything that went down there, as I assume none of us were. Sure it appeared that way, but we don't have facts of that.

When we see a conspiracy behind anything that goes against KU it makes us look paranoid.

I will say, present facts that Duke, UNC and Kentucky receive NCAA favors and I'll believe you, but they must be facts! Because believe me I do want to believe that those programs are being allowed to cheat by the NCAA!

(I should retract all of my comments that the NCAA cheated for Duke against Wisconsin in 2015 :) )

@DoubleDD KU is not persecuted, KU is not the victim of the NCAA. It may help to try to rationalize it that way, but for the life of me, I can’t look back on any player situation where it was handled unfairly by the NCAA. Of course, I admit, we don’t know yet about Preston.

Without rules, there is no CBB.

@wissox

You want facts? All right. Every year KU has a recruit that is subject to the long arm of the NCAA. Yet we never hear of anything about UNC, Duke, or UK. All the players they recruit are golden boys. Now keep in mind these kids are all come from the same slums. Yet somehow KU always gets the bad ones. How is that?

How is it that UNC, Duke, and UK can recruit the same kids and they are golden. Yet when KU gets a kid well the NCAA has to investigate?

@DoubleDD UNC got away with what they did from the NCAA because they offered those classes to everyone. UNC's bigger concern is going to come from the Department of Education and their accreditation status.

@HighEliteMajor

Fair enough. Yet there is no reason to worry when nobody is being investigated. Can't blame anybody. Right?

It could be that KU is just more careful than the other schools, particularly in a year where setting the record for consecutive conference titles is at stake? (Mmmm...STEAK!)

Could be a good thing or a bad thing. I'm guessing that there could be a little NCAA bias as well. Seriously, the same bias that east coast teams have always had. How often do teams in time zones other than east coast win the tourney? Sure, there are a lot more schools over there, but still. East coast games sell better than the others. It's all about what sells. News, weather, and sports. That's the underlying motivation.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Come on. YOu know as well as I do UNC Isn't going to face any penalties.

It is hard to be greatful for a car wreck but in this case it likely saved KU from serious issues. Just think what would have occurred if it taken a month or more longer for that car to have been connected to Billy. At this point I am wondering if the car is just the tip of the iceberg.

I figured he’d get cleared before the end of this month or be gone. Why waste time going to school and have limited practices. I personally think there is more to the story than the car.

@HighEliteMajor

I agree with you 100%. It is easy to blame the NCAA because it is a convenient target that does not comment on issues such as this; as you know, I have always maintained that the NCAA just does the job it was tasked to do. At this time I am inclined to think that the Preston clan withheld critical information from KU and went into full CYA mode once the story broke and in the process cost KU a lot of time and effort and wasted valuable program resources. As a fan I am pi$$ed; I bet Acura has Self is livid.

P.zs. At least we are now caught up with scholarship for next year even if nobody leaves.

Everyone remember to respect Billy please and let’s not hound the young man best of luck Billy!

@mayjay Our great minds are working on that as we speak.

DoubleDD said:

@wissox

You want facts? All right. Every year KU has a recruit that is subject to the long arm of the NCAA. Yet we never hear of anything about UNC, Duke, or UK. All the players they recruit are golden boys. Now keep in mind these kids are all come from the same slums. Yet somehow KU always gets the bad ones. How is that?

How is it that UNC, Duke, and UK can recruit the same kids and they are golden. Yet when KU gets a kid well the NCAA has to investigate?

Where are the facts in your statement?

@JayHawkFanToo

Year after year you see the NCAA investigate a KU recruit. Yet you don't see a basis. Ok fair enough. Then maybe I should change my argument to why Coach recruits such suspect players, because UNC, Duke, and UK don't have this problem.

No you've corrected me. We should be focusing on coach. I mean Jesus every year we have a recruit under investigation from the NCAA. What the hell is Coach doing?

@mayjay

I seriously doubt Coach Self would ever agree to anything even remotely close to what you mentioned; the truth would eventually come out and his credibility and reputation would be destroyed. I just don’t see it being feasible.

@HighEliteMajor The penalty after the '88 championship was a joke. Not allowing KU to defend their title. It stopped our tournament run which is still going on by the way.

@DoubleDD Did we ever assume the federal government would go after college basketball recruiting? UNC violated federal laws with their academic fraud, and when that report came out, UNC opened themselves up to a federal investigation which could be ongoing as we speak.

@wissox

Ok fair enough. Name the players that Duke, UNC, and Uk that have been investgated by the NCAA. Now count the number of recruits that KU has had investigated by the NCAA.

@Gunman I agree but not sure that team would have danced anyways.

@Texas-Hawk-10

Like I Said do you really think UNC is going to get any punishment? Come on be honest.

@DoubleDD

East Coast schools have a recruiting advantage just by virtue of geographical location. Other schools also have similar issues, we are jus more familiar with those close to home.

Perhaps the question should be, can you offer any proof that KU or its recruits have been unfairly targeted? Diallo had issues with transcripts and his handlers, Alexander admitted that his mother made a big mistake and sounds like Billy and family got greedy and withheld information from KU...how is the NCAA to blame for just doing its job?

Preston is the first recruit we've lost for an entire season at least in the last decade or so. And we don't this for sure, but he still could have been cleared to play. I can't take the time to investigate, but Kentucky lost a player for the whole season Ennis Kanter. That's more than we've lost.

@JayHawkFanToo My suggestion was not a crooked deal. I think it could also have included the NCAA which might not have enough proof of fire but saw some smoke.

DoubleDD said:

@Texas-Hawk-10

Like I Said do you really think UNC is going to get any punishment? Come on be honest.

Yes, they're focused in Michigan State right now and UNC is probably next on their list. UNC has already admitted academic fraud, so that case is going to be a fairly simple one to nail UNC on and the federal government lives low hanging fruit cases.

Self put out a fluff piece statement . Boy id love to be a fly on a wall in a room where he's having a cocktail and talking about how he really feels about this situation. Imagine the restraint coaches have to display in this day and age

@wissox And Preston/Cliff were never ruled ineligible by the NCAA. Any penalties our guys have gotten (Jackson, Selby) have been relatively minor.

@JayHawkFanToo You're not dismissing the possibility of a behind the scenes deal, are you? Wouldn't it be prudent for Self to make a deal that protected the integrity of his program, if he was not part of it and did not have prior knowledge of it?

@BeddieKU23 When will we know the truth? I wonder how long it will take.

KU is a public institution. Would we not be entitled to see the information submitted to the NCAA? Would we not be entitled to see the fruits of the money spent by this public institution?

@BeddieKU23

HighEliteMajor said:

Perhaps the biggest disaster of the Self era regarding a recruit. But we are better to have closure. And Self took action to get DeSousa in and eligible to mitigate the disaster. Now, let's play ball.

It is good to know that "BC Igokea will keep raising." We will all be watching, I'm sure.

Agree, now there is closure, I'm not going to be a Billy basher, and I think may sound crazy but who knows actually maybe the team might even play better now with closure - -we are not playing the what if game any longer. - Wish Billy the best. - -ROC CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Texas Hawk 10 said:

Not surprised at all at this point. Maybe now that it's over, we'll get to hear the full story.

WHY? - - how does that benefit us? - -doesn't change anything - who cares? or should care , not bringing Billy back - time to move on. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

kjayhawks said:

Everyone remember to respect Billy please and no let’s not hound the young man best of luck Billy!

Couldn't agree more. - - he is what an 18 yr old kid? - -we all make mistakes , we don't need to bash the kid, wish him nothing but the best. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@Jayballer54 You said, "... but who knows actually maybe the team might even play better now with closure ..."

Exactly. Drama over. What ifs over. Possibilities over. We have our team.

If we hold to form, we'll struggle today. But if we have moved to a different place, we steamroll Baylor.

how will this affect scholastic achievement records ? is he enrolled in class? have they started? will he have to drop or be awarded failures?

HighEliteMajor said:

@Jayballer54 You said, "... but who knows actually maybe the team might even play better now with closure ..."

Exactly. Drama over. What ifs over. Possibilities over. We have our team.

If we hold to form, we'll struggle today. But if we have moved to a different place, we steamroll Baylor.

I couldn't agree more. - -Actually in the end actually , it's like a huge weight being lifted off our shoulders . - maybe not the result we wanted but , time to move on .I wish Billy the best, not going to turn into some Billy basher sounds like he made mistakes but I think just about everyone that age has I know I did. - -I'm not saying in anyway that your any Biller basher - just saying for conversation - there is some that instantly are, kind of sad. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

Self isn't going to take a chance. There is obviously a lot more to it than just the car with Billy. Looking back it's pretty easy to assume Self had a pretty good idea Billy wouldn't be eligible when he pressed to get Silvio here.

Kind of comical in a way what some KU people are saying now that Billy is gone. - -So really delusional people. things such as:

OH well that's it it's a done deal now - this gives us Zion, that's why they announced this today - -before Zion's announcement he now knows he has a spot or starting spot on KU'S roster. - - - LMAO - -SERIOUSLY? - -that is past funny - mercy I wish I had some of what some people is smoking lol. -- ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

I got nothing. Whatever...moving on. Bye Billy and good luck. Next...

I blame BShark. We all know you bought him that car, you swine.

KirkIsMyHinrich said:

I blame BShark. We all know you bought him that car, you swine.

SORRY DAMN IT

OK Mitch, no pressure, but the entire season now rest on your shoulders. Holly asked Mitch once about being yelled at this year by Coach Self and does it bother him?. "No, last year I didn't get to play and he never yelled at me."

Those of you that said if he was not eligible by the start of 2nd semester he was probably gone..........were right. It is good to get it over with and move on.
I really think to be a FF contender we needed Billy. Without him, we can still be a very good team (we already are part of the time), but I don't think we will become a FF contender....Silvio will have to progress faster than is reasonable....IMO.

@Kubie Great point. A complete blessing this was discovered preseason.

BShark said:

Self isn't going to take a chance. There is obviously a lot more to it than just the car with Billy. Looking back it's pretty easy to assume Self had a pretty good idea Billy wouldn't be eligible when he pressed to get Silvio here.

I had been saying for some time that there HAD to be more then just the car - - had to be, it doesn't take that long to settle an issue for just a car. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

If we get Williamson, then everyone forgets.....just the way it is.

AND - I'm over it.

@Blown

This chart shows APR calculation. Teams get 1 pt for each athlete staying in school and another pt for being academically eligible. So, assuming he was academically eligible from fall classes, BP gets us 1 out of 2 pts because he did not stay. Total points divided by total possible points x 1000 gives the team score.

!0_1516478883550_apr_explain_new.jpg ↗

So it costs us but not too bad if everyone else sticks around and does ok.

wissox said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that. I'm a really kidding because I believe Dave will be a fine young man here

Who is Dave?

McCormack, our burger boy signed for next season

Texas Hawk 10 said:

BeddieKU23 said:

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that

I know you are joking but he seems like a good kid that plans to be here 4 years. Haven't read any of the crap I read about Diallo, Alexander or Preston leading up to and after their commitments...

I'm totally joking but who can blame the Track record we are on with burger boy mess ups

I can't go into details, but Grimes is the one I'd be most concerned with out of this class.

I can't go into detail but that's full of crap

Yep. I was floored when I saw this post on my twitter feed.
I feel awful for Billy and yet I cant blame the kid for wanting to bail out and do whats best for him. The NCAA screwed him and KU big time. This is absolute horse shit.
I wish nothing but the best for him and his fam.

BeddieKU23 said:

Texas Hawk 10 said:

BeddieKU23 said:

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that

I know you are joking but he seems like a good kid that plans to be here 4 years. Haven't read any of the crap I read about Diallo, Alexander or Preston leading up to and after their commitments...

I'm totally joking but who can blame the Track record we are on with burger boy mess ups

I can't go into details, but Grimes is the one I'd be most concerned with out of this class.

I can't go into detail but that's full of crap

Sorry, but it's not crap. I work 20 minutes from his school. I've heard whispers from people highly involved in the Alumni Association that there are some potential red flags with Grimes and his family.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

BeddieKU23 said:

Texas Hawk 10 said:

BeddieKU23 said:

BShark said:

BeddieKU23 said:

I for one could care less about his story.

Now we wait til the big dave saga starts. Odds are he's not as good of character as we think? Hopefully kidding when I say that

I know you are joking but he seems like a good kid that plans to be here 4 years. Haven't read any of the crap I read about Diallo, Alexander or Preston leading up to and after their commitments...

I'm totally joking but who can blame the Track record we are on with burger boy mess ups

I can't go into details, but Grimes is the one I'd be most concerned with out of this class.

I can't go into detail but that's full of crap

Sorry, but it's not crap. I work 20 minutes from his school. I've heard whispers from people highly involved in the Alumni Association that there are some potential red flags with Grimes and his family.

Awesome let's report him now then..

@BeddieKU23 Actually, if there are red flags it would be better to know now before he enrolls and gets into a car wreck.....

mayjay said:

@BeddieKU23 Actually, if there are red flags it would be better to know now before he enrolls and gets into a car wreck.....

We might as well call the fbi, at least get the ncaa involved. I mean why recruit players anymore

There are potential red flags with anyone that plays on the major shoe circuit. Better just recruit nothing but Garretts I guess.

@Texas-Hawk-10 So why can't you go into detail? Or semi-detail? I mean, you're anonymous here. I love inside info if we actually get info. If you heard "whispers" then others heard them too. You're not breaching any confidences since you already opened the can.

Ochai Agbaji is probably clean too.

HighEliteMajor said:

@Texas-Hawk-10 So why can't you go into detail? Or semi-detail? I mean, you're anonymous here. I love inside info if we actually get info. If you heard "whispers" then others heard them too. You're not breaching any confidences since you already opened the can.

This.

BShark said:

Ochai Agbaji is probably clean too.

Heard he got paid to come today.

Well damn there goes that.

mayjay said:

@cragarhawk Well, we gotta find something else to wonder and gripe about now, don't we?

Well, that didn't take long.

Just curious, do you think Billy will even take the Charger with him to Europe?

All this for a car he will only drive for a couple months. Is Billy really the victim here? I think not. I think thr victims are his teammates whom he let down when he accepted a car that knew had to be shady. Could not someone in his family have said one simple word? No.

Good riddance. Go Silvio!!

@wissox Would have been nice to have seen. NIT at the worse.

@Gunman I agree. They played great the first part of the season, but had no motivation and lost steam mid-way through the season.

Our streak would be unbelievable without that break.

Fightsongwriter said:

Just curious, do you think Billy will even take the Charger with him to Europe?

All this for a car he will only drive for a couple months. Is Billy really the victim here? I think not. I think thr victims are his teammates whom he let down when he accepted a car that knew had to be shady. Could not someone in his family have said one simple word? No.

Good riddance. Go Silvio!!

There has to be more than just the car.

@Fightsongwriter Copy, paste

Until I hear the whole story I reserve throwing him under the bus. I doubt we hear.

Crimsonorblue22 said:

Until I hear the whole story I reserve throwing him under the bus. I doubt we hear.

Almost no chance the full truth comes out sadly.

@HighEliteMajor It's a booster trying to get in close with the family. That's as much detail as I can give.

I can also tell you for a fact that even if high ranking alumns don't post here, or at acknowledge they are, they do monitor all major KU sites, including this one.

@Crimsonorblue22 I threw him under the Charger.

Integrity - doing the right thing when no one is looking.

@Fightsongwriter not much of that here

And man...you think Shakur Juiston would be helping this team? Can't help but wonder if he'd be a Jayhawk right now if Preston hadn't been in the way of playing time.

focojayhawk said:

And man...you think Shakur Juiston would be helping this team? Can't help but wonder if he'd be a Jayhawk right now if Preston hadn't been in the way of playing time.

He would help this team. Preston wasn't the issue there. He was out of play once KU took the Lawsons.

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@HighEliteMajor It's a booster trying to get in close with the family. That's as much detail as I can give.

I can also tell you for a fact that even if high ranking alumns don't post here, or at acknowledge they are, they do monitor all major KU sites, including this one.

Here is the impression your post leaves: this situation is a powder keg that a bomb squad may have been working long and hard to try to defuse. And the danger has not yet passed.

Mums the word from me.

I wanted juice bad! Quality kid, coachable kid, high motor, lots of dble dble's. BUT he was just a juco player, not good enough🤮🤯

@jaybate-1.0 KUAA is doing what they can to try and keep the person from screwing this up and there is a lot of frustration that the person in question isn't quite grasping to magnitude of what he's trying to do and the impact it could have.

Here is more info from Self from LDJ both on why the process took so long, and on knowing about the Bosnia offer:

Kansas coach Bill Self, who confirmed Preston's departure through a statement Saturday morning, said he had known about Preston's opportunity to join BC Igokea in Bosnia for three weeks. But it was not until a text message at 7:18 a.m. that Self knew it was a done deal.

“Of course (we're) disappointed,” said Self, officially classifying the matter as “an NCAA reinstatement matter” for the first time. “The disappointment comes from us not having a finality to it, (not) from (the NCAA) not making a decision. ... Just to be real clear, so fans don't think (certain) people are at fault; it took some time to get the information to them in a final package because if you get it to them and it's incomplete, it drags on longer and longer. Then there were follow-up deals, 'We have more questions, we have more things.' And we thought we were getting close, real close. But I think the team in Bosnia put pressure on (his mother) Nicole (Player) and Billy.

“We had been told (by the NCAA), 'Hey, we don't disagree with what you're saying, we're not saying we agree. But we are saying that we are not quite ready to make a final determination on it. I don't blame anybody, to be honest with you. I just hate it. I hate it for him because he didn't get to experience what college basketball's all about. Hopefully he'll go over there and kick butt and put himself in a position to be a higher draft pick because he went over there.”

http://m.kusports.com/news/2018/jan/20/notebook-jayhawks-say-it-was-tough-lose-freshman-b/ ↗

The information concerns a student so no I do not think we are entitled to see anything. If it only concerned the university I would agree with you.

This isn't a surprise to me. The longer the process drug out, the more of a possibility this became, particularly because now that classes have started, drop deadlines to preserve his academic record (important for APR purposes) if he did leave were approaching. This lets him leave in good standing without KU taking a hit, provided his fall grades were solid.

As I have posted before, the NCAA acts as if they are the only option. With more international teams willing to sign US HS players, that isn't the case, and with games streaming on the internet, its no longer the burden it was 15 years ago to evaluate a prospect in Europe or elsewhere.

I don't think this starts a trend, but it is another option for kids. NCAA isn't the only game in town for top prospects, so their eligibility process better speed up. Preston can simply withdraw his request and leave. Other kids could do the same - submit information, gauge interest and, if the NCAA doesn't rule them eligible at the end of the fall semester, take the contract. That route would only be there for the top 20 or 30 prospects, but it would speed the entire process up for everyone.

Good luck to Billy Euro balling.

And if what @Texas-Hawk-10 says is true for Grimes, he certainly has the talent to get a Euro contract.

Preston IS gone. Now coaches can stop working on the best systems using Billy. Several teammates can stop analyzing playing time with him around. Silvio is here. We have our pieces in place, let the master organize a final plan and put in operation imediately.
GAME ON!

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@jaybate-1.0 KUAA is doing what they can to try and keep the person from screwing this up and there is a lot of frustration that the person in question isn't quite grasping to magnitude of what he's trying to do and the impact it could have.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Your comment is present tense. Are you talking about the Preston situation and there’s a smoking gun? Or is another player potentially jeopardized?

@justanotherfan

Insightful big picture assessment. Thx.

My add: now modest competition for youth players from foreign pro teams could push recruiting and the amateurism issue in a lot of directions. I suspect the NBA and NCAA are staying in contact on this nascent drift toward overseas play for pay.

Frankly, the overseas teams in Europe east of the Eurals, and eventually Eurasia, as they link up the New Silk Road, the Shanghai Security Pact, transEurasian marketing infrastructure, and absorb elements of the EU, are increasingly going to have the gambling infrastructure, and betting and sports merchandize-buying populations necessary to achieve economies of scale that will dwarf the NBA's, if it doesn't expand there first.

It would be interesting to know how many of the NBA owners, or their business associates, are already buying in to the ground floor of Eurasian sports. It would seem a heckuva play.

Another awesome play would be for the sports, gaming and media entrepreneurs of Eurasia to donate massively to America D1 basketball programs. Target the universities by sending either their children to them to attend, or associates children, and then funnel a billion, or three, into a school like KU, or where ever. Take the athletic department to the next level, and do so to attract a pipeline of players to that university that can then be moved to Eurasian pro teams. American schools and American players are ripe for the picking right now. Hope I don't live to see this, but seems like a plan.

Gorilla72 said:

Texas Hawk 10 said:

@jaybate-1.0 KUAA is doing what they can to try and keep the person from screwing this up and there is a lot of frustration that the person in question isn't quite grasping to magnitude of what he's trying to do and the impact it could have.

@Texas-Hawk-10 Your comment is present tense. Are you talking about the Preston situation and there’s a smoking gun? Or is another player potentially jeopardized?

I'm talking about Grimes.

@justanotherfan It's not just that the NCAA acts as if it is the "only option." The NCAA knows it is the best option. It confirms the fallacy forwarded by the anti-NCAA folks. This is all about freedom of choice. Kids have choices. CBB is easily the best option for the kids without pro potential. And it's the best option for nearly all that have pro potential. If not, we would see kids flood to the other options.

Let's not waste time going negatively on Billy. For whatever damage he caused our team, he multiplied that damage to his own career. That will be exposed this summer in the NBA draft.

I believe, as others do, that having finalized this can do nothing but help our team! Now we have no more question marks hanging over this team. No more practicing awkwardly to make sure Billy continues to develop with the rest of the team.

We lost plenty of potential help from Billy, but now we can focus a big chunk of that extra PT Billy would have got over to Silvio... advancing his development quicker.

Good luck, Billy! Now... let's get down to business and start defending and dominating every single team we play!

Rock Chalk!

@drgnslayr Well Said , no reason to dwell on things that can't be changed. I am in total agreement with others , I think actually with closure, it might actually benefit the guys - - at least we know it's final now - -not playing the what if game -time to stride forward. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@Jayballer54

Thanks for keeping it positive! A big part of our team improving is for all of us to stay positive! At a certain point in time, the Billy situation started going negative, and I am 100% positive that was reaching all the way to our players, truly creating more chaos and negativity.

drgnslayr said:

@Jayballer54

Thanks for keeping it positive! A big part of our team improving is for all of us to stay positive! At a certain point in time, the Billy situation started going negative, and I am 100% positive that was reaching all the way to our players, truly creating more chaos and negativity.

Hey we got to stay positive right? - - -Billy is a good kid , did he make mistakes? -maybe - -sounds possibly , but the way I still have to look at this - -to me anyways , he was just a teenage kid that might of made some bad decisions . I don't know - -I can't say 100 % without a doubt for sure. - The only thing I can say 100 % for sure is - -we were all kids his age at one time or another right? -Every single one of us made mistakes at this point and time of our life I'm quite sure at one point right? - -Mistakes that impacted people just as big as this Billy situation did at KU - -only thing is , we weren't in the public lime light, we weren't as much as a public figure at a public place.

Doesn't mean our mistakes we made were any less - -didn't effect people in our lives any less , our mistakes could of quite possibly had really big impacts at our point in time of our lives negatively as Billy's did just little different circumstance - -still mistakes - -we are not perfect, and these types of things is how young kids learn

They will learn - - might be costly mistakes BUT they will learn. This world is a cold hearted world - it will eat you up, if your not careful - -Again I'm not mad at Billy - -wish him nothing but the best in his future - time to move on, we were fine before Billy came and you know what - -Were gonna be fine now that Billy is gone. - -So all I can say now is - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

I will say that a video shot they showed last night of KU catching and beating WVU showed BP jumping up to bump the players coming back to the bench, cheering like a madman, and exultantly screaming for the victory at the end. That was only a week ago. So, I think we should still give him his due for still giving his buds his energy even if he was discouraged over his ultimate chances. He did not act like someone with a foot out the door.

@mayjay Agree totally. Was anybody at the game? Was there any mention of Jo Jo White in AFH?

@Jayballer54

Many of my personal decisions when I was a teenager in contrast would make him "Saint Billy!" lol

mayjay said:

I will say that a video shot they showed last night of KU catching and beating WVU showed BP jumping up to bump the players coming back to the bench, cheering like a madman, and exultantly screaming for the victory at the end. That was only a week ago. So, I think we should still give him his due for still giving his buds his energy even if he was discouraged over his ultimate chances. He did not act like someone with a foot out the door.

YA I seen that too , still into the game pulling for his bud's - - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

drgnslayr said:

@Jayballer54

Many of my personal decisions when I was a teenager in contrast would make him "Saint Billy!" lol

LOL, ya me too lol - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY

@Gunman wasn't there but I do know there was a video tribute and a moment of silence. Dg mentioned him in his interview too.

@HighEliteMajor

Obviously, for kids that aren't going to play basketball beyond college, the NCAA is the best option. There's not even a debate there. I will concede that point.

However, the question is whether its the best option for kids that do have pro options, specifically the top players.

The college game and the pro game are very different. The rules are different (shorter shot clock, deeper three point line, etc.). The talent level is vastly different - there are less than 200 guys in the NCAA right now that will have NBA careers of any substance, and those players are clustered on only a few teams, so chances that you are seeing an NBA caliber player (or even a near NBA player) across from you are pretty low.

The strategy and preparation are different. One of the larger criticisms of NCAA is that most coaches will not deter from their system, regardless of player talent. As a result, you are often facing a system, not talent.

And of course, roles are different in the NCAA versus the NBA. Think about how often you saw the Morris brothers shoot threes in college. Marcus shot a total of 123 threes in 109 college games. Markieff shot 94 in the same 109 games. Not counting this season, Marcus has shot fewer than 123 threes in an NBA season only once (his rookie year, when he played only 17 games total). He's shot 94 this year already in just 25 games. Markieff has never shot fewer than 94 threes in a season, including this year, where he has already shot 94 threes.

The NBA has required them to change their offensive game. They rarely play in the post, instead playing as pick and roll or pick and pop big men. Both Morris twins face the basket regularly and rarely play with their back to the basket.

In short, their collegiate experience didn't really prepare them for what they need to do in the NBA. They were able to adapt, but the expectation of them is different than what they did in college.

You can look to a guy like Perry Ellis - incredibly successful here at Kansas, but his NBA career has comprised of just one NBA preseason game. The things he did at KU did nothing to prepare him for a potential NBA career.

That's not to say that Perry did not benefit from his time at Kansas. He undoubtedly did. But from a basketball perspective, if you were to assess whether he benefited purely on a basketball level from playing NCAA ball, the answer is no. He needed to play SF in college, primarily facing the basket, playing on the perimeter, guarding perimeter guys, etc. It was to KU's benefit that he play primarily inside, a position he would never play professionally. As a result, the chance that Perry could leave KU and play in the NBA actually went down the longer he stayed at KU. Chances that Perry ever makes the NBA at this point are pretty remote. Had he come out of HS and gone into a more basketball focused program that had him on the perimeter working as a SF, perhaps two or three years of that would have prepared him for a pro career.

@Kubie Good luck to him.