There are some things you see coming, like Ty Lawson taking the ball the length of the court and hitting the game winner versus FSU. This would definitely be another which is why I am thankful Roy Williams entertained the thought of recruiting John Wall only briefly. According to ESPN, the SEC acknowledged that a months long investigation of Wall’s eligibility still has not cleared the most hyped player recruit since the dawn of recruiting to play at Kentucky:
SEC commissioner Mike Slive confirmed to ESPN.com that there are eligibility issues regarding both Kentucky top recruit John Wall and Mississippi State’s top freshman Renardo Sidney.
Sidney’s eligibility has been discussed for months. Mississippi State compliance director Bracky Brett told ESPN.com recently that Sidney wasn’t eligible to compete yet but was eligible to practice as the school and Sidney’s attorney work through amateurism issues.
But this is the first time it has been publicly acknowledged that there could be a question about Wall’s eligibility.
A source also told ESPN.com that Kentucky has been investigating Wall’s eligibility for months because his former AAU coach was a certified agent.
Everyone knows Sidney is toxic as four day old Chinese food left in out of the fridge. I am shocked his playing at Mississippi St is still a possibility. This is the first mention of Wall having an issue, which is only surprising in the fact someone kept it a secret this long. The problem with Wall stems from the fact his AAU coach, Brian Clifton was a certified agent for a period while he was involved with Wall therefore anything Clifton may have given Wall or paid for would constitute a threat to Wall’s amateur status.
Based on everything I have read, it sounds like Wall will probably have to reimburse Clifton and that will resolve the eligibility issue. There is a scenario by which Wall would be barred from playing in college but there does not seem to be an indication it has reached that point. The length of investigation apparently has to do with tracking down everything Wall may have received from Clifton then figuring out how resolve it. In fact, Jeff Goodman has heard from his always impeachable and trustworthy sources(/sarcasm) that Wall will be cleared before the UK opener on November 13th.
Naturally the fact this is happening to a John Calipari team is unsurprising given his history of leaving programs on probation. What is a tad shocking is something is being done before a Calipari team ends in the Final Four and something has to be vacated later.
Exit question raised by ACCSports on Twitter: If John Wall’s contact with Brian Clifton is an issue, what about Duke’s Ryan Kelly who also had Clifton as his AAU coach?
![[Bloglines]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[MySpace]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Yahoo!]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/yahoo.png)
![[Email]](http://www.tarheelblog.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Is it time to maybe just get rid of the idea of amateurism (as a rule) in sports? Let’s be honest, when an 18-year old freshman’s refusal to wear a certain brand of sneakers threatens to cost DI-power UCF (sarcasm) $3M, then there is nothing amateur about NCAA sports.
If a kid wants to make money off of his talent while playing sports in college, let him. Would a chemist prodigy be thrown out of school if he charged people for tutoring? Hell no, in fact, schools often go out of their way to set up these types of engagements. IMO, so long as the athlete remains in good academic standing while enrolled and is not detrimental to the goals of the team (and its sponsors), then I see no reason why he shouldn’t be allowed to use his talents to supplement his income.
And I know one of the first complaints everyone always has is that this would skew the balance of power… Please… UNC lost 5 McDonald’s All-Americans last year, and still has 7 on its roster, with another 2-3 coming in next year. How much more skewed could it get?
You will note that the NCAA treats threats to amateur status differently than threats to academic status. Wall is academically eligible, therefore he can practice with the team and do everything he would normally do save play in a game. If this were academics he would be sitting.
Here is a good question: If Wall has to pay Clifton back, where is he going to get the money from assuming his mother does not have it?
“Here is a good question: If Wall has to pay Clifton back, where is he going to get the money from assuming his mother does not have it?”
I’ve always found that question amusing…
Of course the easy answer is some bank will loan them the money banking on Wall’s future NBA career. Either that or some anonymous and miraculous influx of cash in the mailbox should do the trick.
Anyone know who scored first basket in Dean Dome? I’m having an argument that needs to be settled.
“Duke’s Mark Alarie spoiled the suspense surrounding the first basket in the building by making an early hoop, but Warren Martin soon followed with the first Tar Heel two-pointer. ”
http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/011806aab.html
http://bit.ly/tarheeltrivia
What about this?? It says it was Warren Martin.
http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/facilities/unc-smith-center.html
Someone needs to go over there and straighten them out…
Looks like a bust of a competition so far. ;0
When Coach Lowe, who is building a program with high-character guys at NCSU right now, suddenly lost interest in Wall, you had to figure this was coming sooner or later. There was a skeleton in a closet somewhere. I’m surprised it took this long to be made public.
I love our coach. One of many key differences between UNC and dook. Out coach is not desperate.
And the bank loan is exactly how Wall would pay it. Kinda like how Lebron bought his mom a one of a kind Hummer, if I remember correctly.
Yes, if Sears will give practically anyone 12 months no interest then any decent bank will do the same for the #1 pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.
Actually, heeledsoul, it was the other way around. LeBron’s mother bought the hummer for him.
If Wall can’t come up with the money, maybe Kentucky can see if they can get FedEx to pony up again like they did in the 80′s….
C. Michael is right.
There is lots of money involved in sports at all levels now. Attacking young athletes is very hard on the athletes. Rarely does this affect the advisors/agents/coaches in the same way.
While getting payment to the athletes is fair, it has to happen in a way so that the athlete can be protected from abusing the money and from being abused by it. Not an easy thing to do.
I have been shocked to see the money earned by pro basketball players in the US now. So the value of a player like Wall is certainly several million dollars. But it isn’t going to be easy for him to get there.
Let’s give him a chance. Whatever school he plays for.
This all comes back to the NBA age limit. If they let the guys who have a legitimate shot at the NBA out of high school go to the NBA then this is less of a problem.
If it’s not broke, then there’s no need to fix it. Our current protocol on this is, and has been, just fine.
“When Coach Lowe, who is building a program with high-character guys at NCSU right now, suddenly lost interest in Wall,”
Lowe NEVER lost interest in Wall, where did you get that from, he’d give his big red jacket right now to have him on campus today, even with his eligability issues.