Nike EYBL Team to move to Kentucky

Originally Posted by PurplePride92

So what does this mean now? Help a brother out. Louisville Magic is moving to Lexington AND switching from Adidas to Nike? Is that what is happening?

Not 100% sure yet, but that was what it sounded like after talking to a source very connected to the KY scene this afternoon. It made a lot of sense out of something that seemed off from the start, so I passed it along...

Interesting. Keep us updated.

Originally Posted by gametime

Not 100% sure yet, but that was what it sounded like after talking to a source very connected to the KY scene this afternoon. It made a lot of sense out of something that seemed off from the start, so I passed it along...

Here is how I have heard it......

1) The Travelers have a year left on thier contract so they WILL be in the EYBL this year.
2) The EYBL will not be adding anymore teams. (Meaning Magic kids will have to play with Travelers if they want to play in EYBL)
3) Magic kids are planning to stay and play for Ellis and whatever circuit he is on. It's thier last year, they want to play together, and they want to play for Ellis.

Originally Posted by 3fromdeep

Here is how I have heard it......

1) The Travelers have a year left on thier contract so they WILL be in the EYBL this year.
2) The EYBL will not be adding anymore teams. (Meaning Magic kids will have to play with Travelers if they want to play in EYBL)
3) Magic kids are planning to stay and play for Ellis and whatever circuit he is on. It's thier last year, they want to play together, and they want to play for Ellis.

1) The program is already moving to Lexington and likely changing names. They will keep EYBL status either way.
2) Not totally true. KY kids could play for Spiece, All Ohio Red, Bluff City, King James.
3) That's why the original article was so strange. If Ellis moved over to coach this 17U team with his guys it all makes a lot more sense...

The color green will decide this.

Originally Posted by Rainman11

The color green will decide this.

Nike has a lot more green to offer than Adidas...

The information on the Travelers' contract is pure speculation. Anyone who is stating that as a fact has no knowledge of the Travelers' contract. It should be pointed out that the Travelers have been a Nike program for 18 years and are one of the original Nike programs. Here are some facts regarding the Travelers:

1. Over 200 college scholarships (average just under 10 per graduating class)
2. Over 100 Division I signees
3. 24 SEC players
4. 5 NBA players (David Vaughn, Ron Mercer, David Harrison, Vincent Yarbrough, Corey Brewer)
5. 4 McDonald's All-Americans (Mercer, Harrison, Yarbrough, Brewer)

Originally Posted by Traveler Tradition

The information on the Travelers' contract is pure speculation. Anyone who is stating that as a fact has no knowledge of the Travelers' contract. It should be pointed out that the Travelers have been a Nike program for 18 years and are one of the original Nike programs. Here are some facts regarding the Travelers:

1. Over 200 college scholarships (average just under 10 per graduating class)
2. Over 100 Division I signees
3. 24 SEC players
4. 5 NBA players (David Vaughn, Ron Mercer, David Harrison, Vincent Yarbrough, Corey Brewer)
5. 4 McDonald's All-Americans (Mercer, Harrison, Yarbrough, Brewer)

Welcome to BGP Traveler Tradition. I look forward to more insight from you and the Traveler's program.

Originally Posted by Traveler Tradition

The information on the Travelers' contract is pure speculation. Anyone who is stating that as a fact has no knowledge of the Travelers' contract. It should be pointed out that the Travelers have been a Nike program for 18 years and are one of the original Nike programs. Here are some facts regarding the Travelers:

1. Over 200 college scholarships (average just under 10 per graduating class)
2. Over 100 Division I signees
3. 24 SEC players
4. 5 NBA players (David Vaughn, Ron Mercer, David Harrison, Vincent Yarbrough, Corey Brewer)
5. 4 McDonald's All-Americans (Mercer, Harrison, Yarbrough, Brewer)

So what is the situation? Are the Travelers moving to Kentucky and are they going after current Louisville Magic players?

Originally Posted by PurplePride92

So what is the situation? Are the Travelers moving to Kentucky and are they going after current Louisville Magic players?

They're moving to Kentucky and going after the best players they can get, which includes Magic players, Shane Hall, etc.

I don't see any chance of the Magic moving to Lexington and being a Nike team. I talked to Andy Rines (Travelers Program Director) a little over a week ago and Nike has been very supportive of their move to KY. Plus Ellis is Adidas through and through (Compton Magic, Louisville, etc.) so the change makes little sense as he's already had a top 5 AAU program with Adidas.

Originally Posted by dyaste

They're moving to Kentucky and going after the best players they can get, which includes Magic players, Shane Hall, etc.

I don't see any chance of the Magic moving to Lexington and being a Nike team. I talked to Andy Rines (Travelers Program Director) a little over a week ago and Nike has been very supportive of their move to KY. Plus Ellis is Adidas through and through (Compton Magic, Louisville, etc.) so the change makes little sense as he's already had a top 5 AAU program with Adidas.

How does an AAU team 'go after' players? What can they 'offer' the kids that they aren't already getting from the Louisville Magic? Seems kind of shady to me.

Originally Posted by dyaste

They're moving to Kentucky and going after the best players they can get, which includes Magic players, Shane Hall, etc.

I don't see any chance of the Magic moving to Lexington and being a Nike team. I talked to Andy Rines (Travelers Program Director) a little over a week ago and Nike has been very supportive of their move to KY. Plus Ellis is Adidas through and through (Compton Magic, Louisville, etc.) so the change makes little sense as he's already had a top 5 AAU program with Adidas.

He'd have a Top 5 Nike program and get close to tripling his funding by making the move...

Originally Posted by gametime

He'd have a Top 5 Nike program and get close to tripling his funding by making the move...

For the kids, it's a chance to play in the top AAU events. I know the Magic plays a heck of a schedule anyway, but EYBL trumps their current schedule. Plus, some of those Magic kids may want to be the main attraction their last year. I would like to see those kids stay together to be able to continue to represent KY at such a high level but I would understand if they didn't.

Originally Posted by Rainman11

For the kids, it's a chance to play in the top AAU events. I know the Magic plays a heck of a schedule anyway, but EYBL trumps their current schedule. Plus, some of those Magic kids may want to be the main attraction their last year. I would like to see those kids stay together to be able to continue to represent KY at such a high level but I would understand if they didn't.

Can they truly offer more than a similar to college recruiting experience though? The Louisville Magic is well known on the AAU circuit. According to twitter their games were some of the most populated games at tournaments. I'd love to see what they have to gain by leaving the Magic program. I don't see anything yet.

Originally Posted by Rainman11

For the kids, it's a chance to play in the top AAU events. I know the Magic plays a heck of a schedule anyway, but EYBL trumps their current schedule. Plus, some of those Magic kids may want to be the main attraction their last year. I would like to see those kids stay together to be able to continue to represent KY at such a high level but I would understand if they didn't.

I still think there is a good chance Ellis takes over the Nike team and takes the squad with him. Makes sense on a lot of levels, and he has a son in the Lexington area in middle school...

Originally Posted by gametime

I still think there is a good chance Ellis takes over the Nike team and takes the squad with him. Makes sense on a lot of levels, and he has a son in the Lexington area in middle school...

Yep, that would be best case scenario. I read an article when he first started the Magic he wanted to do this for a few years and become a college assistant coach. No idea whether he has that same thought, but taking the team to EYBL can't hurt his chances.

Originally Posted by Rainman11

Yep, that would be best case scenario. I read an article when he first started the Magic he wanted to do this for a few years and become a college assistant coach. No idea whether he has that same thought, but taking the team to EYBL can't hurt his chances.

I'm still very skeptical of this especially since I know for a fact that the Magic are working with another Louisville area program on players younger than 14U. I just don't see the real need...

Originally Posted by dyaste

I'm still very skeptical of this especially since I know for a fact that the Magic are working with another Louisville area program on players younger than 14U. I just don't see the real need...

Even if the program moves to Lexington they will still need the best talent from Louisville to win as a Nike program. It isn't like the Lexington area is pumping out high major kids on even a semi regular basis...

Originally Posted by gametime

Even if the program moves to Lexington they will still need the best talent from Louisville to win as a Nike program. It isn't like the Lexington area is pumping out high major kids on even a semi regular basis...

True but what I was getting at is they might not support the move. This is all speculative though, who knows what may happen by next AAU season.

Originally Posted by dyaste

True but what I was getting at is they might not support the move. This is all speculative though, who knows what may happen by next AAU season.

Agreed. Will be very interesting to see how it all shakes out...