Memphis using NBA players as Assistants

[dfcapp]

Interesting Article on Andy Katz's blog showing that Memphis is using Luke Walton and Damon Staudamire as Asssistants to Pastner. Not a bad gig while the NBA is in lockout.
The current players can get a "free" lesson from NBA players.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/blog/_/name/katz_andy/id/7022364/damon-stoudamire-luke-walton-bring-star-power-memphis-tigers-recruiting-effort-college-basketball

Great quote from Staudamire about recruiting:
"I have to taper my expectations a bit," Stoudamire said. "It's not what I'm used to seeing. I'm not evaluating pro players. I think I've seen maybe four players that I can say, 'Yeah he's a pro.' And the landscape in recruiting is different since you're dealing with so many people as opposed to what I was dealing with.

"The unwritten rule is that there are people who represent these kids. You've got to be able to win over the kid and win over the handlers too. That's just as important as the kid, and in some instances I've found out that no matter what the kid thinks, it's more about the handler. Sometimes you're trying to impress the handler more than the kid."

[dfcapp]

Posted in wrong forum -- probably should be in "Around the NCAA". Sorry.

[drudy23]

"The unwritten rule is that there are people who represent these kids. You've got to be able to win over the kid and win over the handlers too. That's just as important as the kid, and in some instances I've found out that no matter what the kid thinks, it's more about the handler. Sometimes you're trying to impress the handler more than the kid."

While I completely believe this...I can't see how a parent would give up decision making authority to these "handlers". If my son was being looked at by big-time schools, I would be sure to make sure these "handlers" stay the hell away.

But I guess sometimes the "handler" is the parent. I just can't imagine giving the reigns to my son's future to some talent dealer....something I'd never be comfortable with.

[paulxu]

The current players can get a "free" lesson from NBA players.

[/B]

Paging David West....Jordan Crawford....Derrick Brown...please pick up the Xavier courtesy phone.

[SixFig]

While I completely believe this...I can't see how a parent would give up decision making authority to these "handlers". If my son was being looked at by big-time schools, I would be sure to make sure these "handlers" stay the hell away.

Handlers can be persuasive when they promise fame and money (sometimes up front money) to kids.

[MADXSTER]

Handlers many times are the AAU coaches who the parents have already given their trust.

In the case of Kareem Canty, he was ready to sign on with Xavier but his AAU coach Dingle had him hold out. Mack said, see ya later and now he's looking at Marshall.

It ended up for the best with Xavier signing Semaj.