Is Coach Cal the greatest recruiter ever?

[formerkywrestler]

Yes or no. If not, who?

[Clyde]

It would be hard to argue against it. Too many good schools to choose from in today's world (as opposed to Coach Rupp/Coach Wooden/Coach Knight) so you have to be an ace to get the talent level he has gotten.

[Getslow]

I can't think of anyone. If nothing else, he's managed to capitalize on the NBA's one-year rule brilliantly and in a way no other coach can even begin to approach.

 

I don't mind telling those of you that don't live here that the sense of frustration in Louisville is almost palpable. No doubt that the Cardinals are going to have an excellent year but before it's even started, we're staring down the line at a 2013 class for Calipari that could well end up as the most highly-rated class ever put together.

[PurplePride92]

Yes. He's pulling in Fab Five quality classes every year now. He's almost done with 2013/2014 in 2012. Stupidity.

[jericho]

He is dang good, he has charisma.

[hoopsr1]

And I guess most of you think it's all him? He has some very outstanding, well connected assistants that live recruiting. He has done a great job of promoting himself to this generation, but the majority of the "recruiting" goes to Kenny Payne and Orlando Antigua.

[mobaar]

Yes. He's pulling in Fab Five quality classes every year now. He's almost done with 2013/2014 in 2012. Stupidity.

 

he's not done. He'll keep a few spots open for the guy that reclassifies, or the guy that blows up at the last minute.

[Voice of Reason]

Cal has to be #1. Number 2 is probably Dean Smith. He always pulled in talent for the Tarheels.

[NamecipS]

Roy Williams and that coach for the Blue Devils are pretty good and have been for many years. I think the run that Cal(and his staff) is on is probably one of the best ever.

[bugatti]

I have asked this before. Do you evaluate "best recruiter" by the number of *****, or do you judge "best recruiter" by identifying guys which far exceed their high school ranking?

[sportsmaniac]

One thing everyone has to remember is it is easier to recruit top notch talent if they know they are going to play right away! Does anyone think, he would have gotten John Wall, Brandon Knight, and Marquis Teague if the other players had to stay 3 or 4 years. I actually think it would be harder to recruit kids when they couldn't leave early. Don't get me wrong, he is a good recruiter and the perfect coach for UK. He gets the job requirements, the job is not to big for him. I love watching him coach and i am glad we have him, but let's not get carried away!

[Hatz]

Cal has to be #1. Number 2 is probably Dean Smith. He always pulled in talent for the Tarheels.

 

The only debate I have vs. Dean would be where did the talent come from?

 

A lot of his true superstars are North Carolina (or at least South Carolina) home grown talent. The level of D 1 prospects he had to choose from in his backyard was unreal.

 

Now look at UK's situation and tell me most of theirs was from the region or area. If you stretch it out to Indy you can include Teague but Cal's reach has truly been global. (See Kanter)

[Hatz]

I have asked this before. Do you evaluate "best recruiter" by the number of *****, or do you judge "best recruiter" by identifying guys which far exceed their high school ranking?

 

But what is the percentage of those that really do that? How man one star or two star kids become NBA superstars? Now compare it to the four and five stars who do. For all the success that Duke has had under Coach K, how many Blue Devils translated that into NBA superstardom? But he could get some great talent, mix it with lesser talent that got better and you have a great college program.

 

As for Cal, Josh Harrelson tells us all we need to know about the ability of his staff to take marginal talent and turn it into a college impact and an NBA contract.

[PurplePride92]

But what is the percentage of those that really do that? How man one star or two star kids become NBA superstars? Now compare it to the four and five stars who do. For all the success that Duke has had under Coach K, how many Blue Devils translated that into NBA superstardom? But he could get some great talent, mix it with lesser talent that got better and you have a great college program.

 

As for Cal, Josh Harrelson tells us all we need to know about the ability of his staff to take marginal talent and turn it into a college impact and an NBA contract.

 

This is a misleading statement. Duke has 14+ people in the NBA and as far as NBA superstardom the exception of DRose(who was going to be a superstar regardless of his coach) Cal hasn't made any superstars. Josh Harrellson and Lance Thomas are the same people. Let's not get carried away.

[98NCCalum]

I think so. (IU fan)