Markelle Fultz

[Masterofreality]

Yeah, maybe this should be in the Recruiting Section, but this 4 Star kid would be a huge get so I'm starting a separate thread.

There are 23 schools, at least, that have offered this 2016 Dematha HS guard including Xavier, Kentucky, Arizona and Louisville. he has chosen, on his own, to make an unofficial visit to Xavier today.

Nice.

[TUclutch]

Yeah, maybe this should be in the Recruiting Section, but this 4 Star kid would be a huge get so I'm starting a separate thread.

There are 23 schools, at least, that have offered this 2016 Dematha HS guard including Xavier, Kentucky, Arizona and Louisville. he has chosen, on his own, to make an unofficial visit to Xavier today.

Nice.

A visit alone is nice, but do any of us believe if UK really wants him, we can actually get him? I love Xavier and I love the staff recruiting bigger names and better players every year, but Im not sure XU is at that level to beat out UK yet.

Edit: I googled him and came across an article that quoted him saying UK has been his dream school.

[casualfan]

Yeah, maybe this should be in the Recruiting Section, but this 4 Star kid would be a huge get so I'm starting a separate thread.

There are 23 schools, at least, that have offered this 2016 Dematha HS guard including Xavier, Kentucky, Arizona and Louisville. he has chosen, on his own, to make an unofficial visit to Xavier today.

Nice.

Nice to have him stop by, but kind of odd to have him do it during a live recruiting period with all the events going on this weekend.

I would assume that means a coach stayed behind and lost time at an event to meet with him?

[Masterofreality]

A visit alone is nice, but do any of us believe if UK really wants him, we can actually get him? I love Xavier and I love the staff recruiting bigger names and better players every year, but Im not sure XU is at that level to beat out UK yet.

Edit: I googled him and came across an article that quoted him saying UK has been his dream school.

Maybe, but UK gets all the 5 stars they want, not 4's. Even then Calamari screws it up.

I have a dream night planned with Brooklyn Decker too, but it ain't happening.

[XUFan09]

Nice to have him stop by, but kind of odd to have him do it during a live recruiting period with all the events going on this weekend.

I would assume that means a coach stayed behind and lost time at an event to meet with him?
The events going on are in Indy, Louisville, and Lexington, so it's easy travel. There are actually quite a few players doing visits to Xavier in this time period because of that.

[muskiefan82]

Maybe he's the kind of guy who wants to be a star on a very good team instead of a role player on a star-studded team. Maybe. I can hope, right?

[paulxu]

Maybe he's the kind of guy who wants to be a star on a very good team instead of a role player on a star-studded team. Maybe. I can hope, right?

I think this is a great point. Although every kid assumes he's better than all the rest (until they ride the pine for a year and then transfer out) maybe some kids are getting good input on how they really stand. If you are very good, but the school is getting a whole bunch of 5 stars, perhaps you do go to a good program where you can shine.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

Recruiting is way more about relationships (and checks) then it is about playing for a marquee school. If a 5* kid is sold on coaches he will go to just about any school. The key though is that a school like ours has to be on the kid very early in the process to really have a shot.

[LA Muskie]

The events going on are in Indy, Louisville, and Lexington, so it's easy travel. There are actually quite a few players doing visits to Xavier in this time period because of that.
This.

[OH.X.MI]

Recruiting is way more about relationships (and checks) then it is about playing for a marquee school. If a 5* kid is sold on coaches he will go to just about any school. The key though is that a school like ours has to be on the kid very early in the process to really have a shot.

I'm fairly certain we have been actively recruiting him since very early on. I'll have to go look, but if I remember correctly we were one of the first "big" programs to extend an offer.

[MADXSTER]

A visit alone is nice, but do any of us believe if UK really wants him, we can actually get him? I love Xavier and I love the staff recruiting bigger names and better players every year, but Im not sure XU is at that level to beat out UK yet.

Edit: I googled him and came across an article that quoted him saying UK has been his dream school.

Remember, In business, if you cannot be #1 on the list, then it is very important to be #2, because #1 is going to screw up at some point and you want to be in position to become the new #1. Same goes with recruiting. Say he does go to XYZ school and later decides to transfer, now you are in position to be #1 again.

[xavierj]

I believe he has a friend who committed to play soccer at X a few weeks ago. Can't hurt.

[muskiefan82]

I believe he has a friend who committed to play soccer at X a few weeks ago. Can't hurt.

AT LAST!!!!!! Soccer might actually be relevant!!!!! I knew it was possible.

[Emp]

Friends are relevant, soccer is relevant, whatever a recruit likes is relevant. X did win a bid and advanced in the soccer dance this season, which helps advance the schools rep as not just a one horse show.

[mid major]

Hala Madrid!

[xu82]

Speaking of relevant, a player like this is very relevant to a school like Xavier. A BIG DEAL! Or he can be a footnote at a school like Kentucky. In that article he also mentioned that education is important, so.... no-brainer!

[DC Muskie]

Bout time our DeMatha grad is getting DeMatha students on campus.

[MHettel]

If I was head coach, this kid would be a top target. And that's just based on his name alone.

[Juice]

Speaking of relevant, a player like this is very relevant to a school like Xavier. A BIG DEAL! Or he can be a footnote at a school like Kentucky. In that article he also mentioned that education is important, so.... no-brainer!

Yeah, I'd still rather be a starter, but non-star, for UK. You're still swimming in good looking UK chicks simply by putting on the jersey.

[xu82]

Yeah, I'd still rather be a starter, but non-star, for UK. You're still swimming in good looking UK chicks simply by putting on the jersey.

Not helping the cause there, Juice. Is that how you made your college decision?

[bobbiemcgee]

1705



yep

[xu82]

Ahh, that explains a lot.

:-)

[XU-PA]

this
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2015-02-27/markelle-fultz-ohio-state-kansas-north-carolina-state-kentucky-creighton-texas-wake-forest-maryland

and this,,,, wearing #20,,,, sweet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFh1tGLO6FM

Even better,,, he appears to be a big fan of posterizing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhQZ7Y1QiNY

[ammtd34]

AT LAST!!!!!! Soccer might actually be relevant!!!!! I knew it was possible.


Having Trevon's friend Jalen Brown play soccer certainly didn't hurt Xavier.

[xu82]

Having Trevon's friend Jalen Brown play soccer certainly didn't hurt Xavier.

Clearly, soccer is the lynchpin that holds the whole basketball thing together!

(My kids played pretty much every sport and soccer was actually my favorite for a variety of reasons.)

[MADXSTER]

Heading to the X mens soccer game tonight at & 7:30. Join me.

[Masterofreality]

Yeah, I'd still rather be a starter, but non-star, for UK. You're still swimming in good looking UK chicks simply by putting on the jersey.


Not helping the cause there, Juice. Is that how you made your college decision?

Based upon his screen name, it must have been Dana's

[hoyahooligan]

Kid will be going to a blue blood type school, then maybe Maryland, with Georgetown as an outside shot.

[XUFan09]

Kid will be going to a blue blood type school, then maybe Maryland, with Georgetown as an outside shot.
It's not that your statement isn't a rational guess; it's that it is still speculation in a recruitment that is far from over, yet you're presenting it as a fact.

[LA Muskie]

It's not that your statement isn't a rational guess; it's that it is still speculation in a recruitment that is far from over, yet you're presenting it as a fact.
Meh. It's an anonymous message board. I think the line between fact and firmly-held opinion is very fine.

[kyxu]

Kid will be going to a blue blood type school, then maybe Maryland, with Georgetown as an outside shot.

Would have to agree.

He's visited Xavier more than any other school, but at the same time, has referred to UK as his "dream school."

UK just offered Fultz today. I guess we'll see what happens.

[XU 87]

Keep the faith. Josh Duncan chose X over UK.

[kyxu]

Keep the faith. Josh Duncan chose X over UK.

So did Kenny Frease, but those were different UK programs that Josh and Kenny spurned; not quite the NBA factory it is now.

[xu82]

I think UK gets too much credit here. These kids are generally seen as one and done kids, and they turn out to be one and done kids. What's the magic in that? Take a 3 or 4 star kid and develop him into an NBA player and I'm more impressed. Don't get me wrong, I know they had a half dozen kids picked high last year, but that's not because Calipari made them great players. They were great payers before they ever stepped onto campus. His talent is he charms them into attending UK and then he gets credit for the inevitable. Plus, one or two year kids don't care that he'll likely move on to enormous NBA paychecks because they don't have to look 4 years down the line. I hope he does take the NBA payday, because he'll be exposed when he doesn't get to field an all-star team every game.

[Masterofreality]

. I hope he does take the NBA payday, because he'll be exposed when he doesn't get to field an all-star team every game.

As I posted on the other thread, Slimy Calamari was already exposed in the NBA after he screwed up UMass.


Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
NJ 1996–97 82 26 56 .317 5th in Atlantic — — — — Missed Playoffs
NJ 1997–98 82 43 39 .524 3rd in Atlantic 3 0 3 .000 Lost in First Round
NJ 1998–99 20 3 17 .150 7th in Atlantic — — — — Fired
Career 184 72 112 .391 3 0 3 .000

[Muskie in dayton]

As I posted on the other thread, Slimy Calamari was already exposed in the NBA after he screwed up UMass.


Team Year G W L W–L% Finish PG PW PL PW–L% Result
NJ 1996–97 82 26 56 .317 5th in Atlantic — — — — Missed Playoffs
NJ 1997–98 82 43 39 .524 3rd in Atlantic 3 0 3 .000 Lost in First Round
NJ 1998–99 20 3 17 .150 7th in Atlantic — — — — Fired
Career 184 72 112 .391 3 0 3 .000

Yes Calamari is a very $avvy recruiter, and a very bad coach. He'll also save players the trouble of taking those annoying tests.

[Backyard Champ]

Cal is one of the best coaches in NCAA. No doubt about it, he has great talent. However, I would guess most coaches in D1 wouldn't have his level of success given his players.

[Emp]

The one surprising thing about Kentucky last season for me was the defense. Calipari could just let em run and gun, but some how got Entitled Generation players to buy in and play the whole court. At this point I don't think he has to take marginal students or players with personal issues, and he can "afford" to be squeaky clean. The payoff for just getting on the floor, and hence on TV, requires no additional, or illegal, sweeteners.

[Juice]

The one surprising thing about Kentucky last season for me was the defense. Calipari could just let em run and gun, but some how got Entitled Generation players to buy in and play the whole court. At this point I don't think he has to take marginal students or players with personal issues, and he can "afford" to be squeaky clean. The payoff for just getting on the floor, and hence on TV, requires no additional, or illegal, sweeteners.

The large majority of UK's players under Cal have been really good kids. I honestly cannot think of any issues his players have had there. And how are they entitled? A lot of these kids don't have a pot to piss in. Because they get free shoes at summer camps and people pay attention to them for a discernible and marketable skills that most kids their age don't possess?

[SemajParlor]

The large majority of UK's players under Cal have been really good kids. I honestly cannot think of any issues his players have had there. And how are they entitled? A lot of these kids don't have a pot to piss in. Because they get free shoes at summer camps and people pay attention to them for a discernible and marketable skills that most kids their age don't possess?

Yeah, entitled is a head scratcher for sure.

[GoMuskies]

I think the generalization was about the generation of kids, not the specific ones at UK.

[SemajParlor]

I think UK gets too much credit here. These kids are generally seen as one and done kids, and they turn out to be one and done kids. What's the magic in that? Take a 3 or 4 star kid and develop him into an NBA player and I'm more impressed. Don't get me wrong, I know they had a half dozen kids picked high last year, but that's not because Calipari made them great players. They were great payers before they ever stepped onto campus. His talent is he charms them into attending UK and then he gets credit for the inevitable. Plus, one or two year kids don't care that he'll likely move on to enormous NBA paychecks because they don't have to look 4 years down the line. I hope he does take the NBA payday, because he'll be exposed when he doesn't get to field an all-star team every game.

What's the magic in any corporation or product that was ahead of the curve? Calipari recognized how stupid the NCAA's rules are and played it to his advantage. He established a winning formula that clearly works for both parties involved. If you're a top recruit - how do you not go to Kentucky?

Plus he does more than charm the kids and goes beyond supporting them - he literally tells them to leave. In 2005, he ripped up Dajuan Wagner's scholarship at Memphis and told him to go pro.

[GoMuskies]

If you're a top recruit - how do you not go to Kentucky?

You meet one of their fans.

[94GRAD]

You meet one of their fans.

Hopefully it's not one of their sorority girls.

[Backyard Champ]

The large majority of UK's players under Cal have been really good kids. I honestly cannot think of any issues his players have had there. And how are they entitled? A lot of these kids don't have a pot to piss in. Because they get free shoes at summer camps and people pay attention to them for a discernible and marketable skills that most kids their age don't possess?

Only one to come to mind was Cousins. Cal did a great job with him, but had to have been a lot of work. Cousins is such a head case, look at him now.

[Xville]

The large majority of UK's players under Cal have been really good kids. I honestly cannot think of any issues his players have had there. And how are they entitled? A lot of these kids don't have a pot to piss in. Because they get free shoes at summer camps and people pay attention to them for a discernible and marketable skills that most kids their age don't possess?

I don't want to speak for emp, but I doubt that he meant "entitiled" the way thst you took it. Kids like the ones kentucky gets have been told how great they are basically from the point that they picked up a basketball. They have always been the best player, and have almost always had the offense run thru them. On account of that, a lot of players will have a hard time transitioning to college, when the offense might not run thru them all the time, and they might actually have to play defense. Some "entitled" kids will make the adjustment, but many don't or ever will.

[Juice]

I don't want to speak for emp, but I doubt that he meant "entitiled" the way thst you took it. Kids like the ones kentucky gets have been told how great they are basically from the point that they picked up a basketball. They have always been the best player, and have almost always had the offense run thru them. On account of that, a lot of players will have a hard time transitioning to college, when the offense might not run thru them all the time, and they might actually have to play defense. Some "entitled" kids will make the adjustment, but many don't or ever will.

Well they're told that because it's true. They are the best. And most of Cal's kids have transitioned quite well into the NBA. The only "bust" I can think of is Marquise Teague and last time I checked he's still a millionaire.

And that team UK team full of entitled kids who don't play defense? Yeah, they had the #2 defense in the country behind Virginia.

[Xville]

Well they're told that because it's true. They are the best. And most of Cal's kids have transitioned quite well into the NBA. The only "bust" I can think of is Marquise Teague and last time I checked he's still a millionaire.

And that team UK team full of entitled kids who don't play defense? Yeah, they had the #2 defense in the country behind Virginia.

No one is or was saying that UK had a team full of entitled kids that didn't play defense. I was speaking in generalities.

And that bust thing..there have been just like there have been plenty who have succeded...as I said some will transition well, others wont. Lamb, orton, Teague. At some point you aren't the best unless you are that .000001 percent. They usually are all thr best in high school, possibly in college, doubtful in the nba. .it's how you handle that, that will determine if you can be successful or not. What was amazing last year with UK is that none of those players were "entitled" and demanded 30 plus minutes and having the ball in their hands every possession. That's not really normal perception wise with this basketball aau generation.

[MADXSTER]

Can someone get a towel to wipe up all of the UK drool that you guys are spewing

[Juice]

Can someone get a towel to wipe up all of the UK drool that you guys are spewing

I honestly hate UK because of their fans but I also hate that same tired narrative that people push about their players.

[casualfan]

I honestly hate UK because of their fans but I also hate that same tired narrative that people push about their players.

amen and amen.

[SemajParlor]

Only one to come to mind was Cousins. Cal did a great job with him, but had to have been a lot of work. Cousins is such a head case, look at him now.

You know what's funny? Out of all the NBA players that get into legal trouble, Boogie is not one of them. Not saying that you were inferring that - but he seems to get a bad rep.

http://nypost.com/2015/01/30/demarcus-cousins-owns-reporter-with-5-year-old-tweet/

[casualfan]

Goodman just tweeted he's taking an official to Arizona.

Said he may visit some other schools like Louisville and us.

[XUFan09]

I hope Xavier gets an official visit. He's taken three unofficial visits here, but the last time was April, I believe. I understand a recruit feeling less compelled to use an official on a school he's been to multiple times, but it would be really nice for Xavier's chances.

[MuskieCinci]

I hope Xavier gets an official visit. He's taken three unofficial visits here, but the last time was April, I believe. I understand a recruit feeling less compelled to use an official on a school he's been to multiple times, but it would be really nice for Xavier's chances.

If for no other reason than it keeps him from using an official on another school and keeps the list of real threats to land him slightly smaller.