It seems HS ball in no longer as important as the sweatshop AAU circuit

 

Been that way for years. Hay is made is the sunshine and that means player really get evaluated during the AAU circuit. The HS season is simply a confirmation or re-confirmation of what the coaches saw in the summer.

Sixer,

 

You are right the AAU circuit is where the recruiter get a chance to see players against very good competition. Recruiter evaluate a kids abilities against the type kids they will be playing against at the next level.

 

The one thing the high school game still has is structure. Recruiters do like to see how kids handle themself in front of crowds and with structure around them.

 

You probably said it best when you said "Confirm".

Some may think it a mistake, but Cal understands the value of having local talent around his superstars. Willis and Hawkins are not all Americans, but they are also not chopped liver. They are legit D1 talent that teams like WKU build tournament teams around. Asked not to carry a team, but to make a contribution is well within their abilities. The larger roll that they will grow into is that of homegrown talent with passion for Kentucky basketball that they will impart on the McD's that otherwise would not understand. Though they may never lead the team in points, boards, etc., they will become leaders in ways that are just as valuable.

 

Senior day for these two is going to be something very, very special.

Don't take this wrong. I am happy for the kid and I understand his decision. However, I hope I am wrong but I do not see much pt over his four years at UK. He is in a little over his head.

 

I think that's a pretty honest comment, and one that I am sure has occurred to a lot of people. Its not begrudging him the accomplishment, but if you don't think getting playing time is going to be a challenge for Mr. Hawkins, you're not paying attention. I am happy for him, too- believe me I love guys from Kentucky wearing the blue-but he's coming in with the best recruiting class in history, to go with a couple of very, very strong returning players. I think Calipari has got the biggest challenge he's ever had in getting this bumper crop enough minutes, even before Mr. Hawkins entered the picture. You gotta remember, somebody's gonna be the 9th player and somebody's gonna be the 10th player on that squad next year... who can you possibly fathom being down that low in the rotation?

 

Having said that, congratulations DH. I hope to see you on a tear filled senior day in a few years trying to win the fourth national championship in a row for Kentucky...

Don't take this wrong. I am happy for the kid and I understand his decision. However, I hope I am wrong but I do not see much pt over his four years at UK. He is in a little over his head.

 

May be a valid comment, maybe not, but the bottom line is the young man is probably fulfilling a life long dream of playing for a team he grew up idolizing so who's to knock him for chasing something special. I'm not from KY but have been here long enough to realize that there are alot of players in the State that would die just to be a part of the frenzy no matter how much PT they get.

 

He's not the Top 50 player in the country Cal is accustomed to getting but he may just turn out to be the role player that puts the team on his back some day when the team needs him most. Good luck to both him and Willis and good to see there are some KY players that are getting the opportunity play at Rupp.

Don't take this wrong. I am happy for the kid and I understand his decision. However, I hope I am wrong but I do not see much pt over his four years at UK. He is in a little over his head.

 

I disagree, yes he will not get much PT the first couple years but he will be practicing against the Nation's best everyday and who knows how he will develop. Cal demands that kids practice hard and if he does this then who knows if he will get PT or not. I think he is a strong kid who can shoot the ball well and has a nice handle. He will develop into a nice PG and IMO get some minutes once the Cats get way out in front of teams.

 

Free education, playing for the CATS, 4 yr player who is a great kid....cant go wrong.

Hawkins was interviewed on KSR yesterday & seems very humbled by this opportunity. I'm excited to have him in the blue & white for the next four years.

May be a valid comment, maybe not, but the bottom line is the young man is probably fulfilling a life long dream of playing for a team he grew up idolizing so who's to knock him for chasing something special. I'm not from KY but have been here long enough to realize that there are alot of players in the State that would die just to be a part of the frenzy no matter how much PT they get.

 

He's not the Top 50 player in the country Cal is accustomed to getting but he may just turn out to be the role player that puts the team on his back some day when the team needs him most. Good luck to both him and Willis and good to see there are some KY players that are getting the opportunity play at Rupp.

 

Thus my point "don't take this wrong". No I am not related to wawa. I think it is fair to state he is going in against a stacked deck and I am sure Cal explained that to him. If education and fulfilling a dream are his goals then I am very happy for him. If actually playing beyond college his his goal then he should have chose WKU. Trust me I hope he can be the next Darius Miller as that is what Kentucky was missing this past year and could use each and every year with the freshmen classes Cal will be signing as long as he is here. I hope his senior day at UK is part of a push to another NCAA run and I will be in tears of joy for him and all the seniors on that special day.

Congrats young man! Hope you make all your dreams come true on and off the court. Think he will surprise the naysayers, maybe not next year but down the road.

This kid's a winner and I'm happy he got a chance..................I hope it works out to be a good fit for him.