Not totally false - but close. And why wouldn't Allen want to play at the best HS/AAU programs possible? Better coaching' date=' better development, better preparation to make a living playing basketball. And that is likely how he will make his living.[/quote']

I wouldn't call AAU better coaching, development or preparation, other than playing talent that is level skill wise. Major AAU is just a meat market, I wouldn't call them coaches, they're more talent collectors. Prep schools are a tad better, because usually they're under some scope with an actual school system. If you ever want to see the dark side of AAU, read Play Their Hearts Out by George Dohrmann. You're seen on the circuit, but if a Coach is truly interested they'll visit you wherever you live. Pendleton may not be a big brand but coaches don't have a problem visiting the south side of Chicago, south central LA, or Falmouth, KY if the player is worthy.

I have not seen this kid play. Who is the better prospect Allen or KyKy Tandy?

Not totally false - but close. And why wouldn't Allen want to play at the best HS/AAU programs possible? Better coaching' date=' better development, better preparation to make a living playing basketball. And that is likely how he will make his living.[/quote']

 

Agreed. If a kid wants to be seen by the best coaches he better be playing on an AAU team that will let him perform in front of those coaches. He can stay at Pendleton County and play AAU for Hoop Dreams and get offers galore. Selfishly I hope he stays at Pendleton County but if he chooses to go to a prep school as well as play for a high exposure AAU team then I will be happy for him. Many players have proven that the AAU team you choose is more important for exposure than your high school but the notion that you can and will be found by top shelf D-1 coaches at a county school in KY is false and no one should be telling kids that in this day and age.

Not totally false - but close. And why wouldn't Allen want to play at the best HS/AAU programs possible? Better coaching' date=' better development, better preparation to make a living playing basketball. And that is likely how he will make his living.[/quote']

Havent seen too many 35- 40 year olds "making a living" playing basketball.. But more power to him and why not dream big..

You better be on the shoe circuit or at least AAU playing to be scene or it isn't going to happen.

 

Kentucky isn't sending anyone an event that isn't the shoe circuit.

 

False narrative.

 

He had a good weekend last weekend in Dallas at the Adidas Uprising playing for Adidas sponsored Hoop Dreams. If you aren't attending XYZ National Super Prep then you better be playing for XYZ AAU Shoe sponsored team or you will not be seen by D-1 coaches.

 

This workout was scheduled long before Allen's performance this weekend in Dallas...UK contacted Dontaie during the HS season.

Well it's not hard for UK coaches to hear about a player that is local to them. UK knows more about upcoming talent in the state then most would be lead to believe. There are clips of his summer games on his YouTube channel and It's not hard for Belcher to send game film to UK if he was contacted and asked for it. It doesn't matter if it was scheduled during high school season, and that's not a knock on Pendleton Co.

Havent seen too many 35- 40 year olds "making a living" playing basketball.. But more power to him and why not dream big..

 

There is about to be a lot more local kids making a living. Look at the amount of posts in this thread.

 

http://bluegrasspreps.com/middle-school-sports/2015-16-nky-309315.html

Well it's not hard for UK coaches to hear about a player that is local to them. UK knows more about upcoming talent in the state then most would be lead to believe. There are clips of his summer games on his YouTube channel and It's not hard for Belcher to send game film to UK if he was contacted and asked for it. It doesn't matter if it was scheduled during high school season, and that's not a knock on Pendleton Co.

 

I just don't think that all the credit needs to go to the AAU circuit or coaches. Keaton Belcher has done a bunch for this kid. Yes, his play in the AAU season definitely helps things.

I don't know what his personal recruitment looks like at this point. The workout was a good start for the kid though. He's played in two tourney's this year for Hoop Dreams; one in Indy and the other in Dallas. In Indy he played some 15u and some 16u. In Dallas he played all 16's. Though he played well; I wouldn't say he lit it up by no means. Again not knocking the kid, but to you guys point; the sample size with Hoop Dreams thus far I don't think is that great right now. What D.A. is getting is the opportunity to play and practice against some of the best talent available(he has some very talented teammates)...and I think that's more valuable for him at this point of his development.

This workout was scheduled long before Allen's performance this weekend in Dallas...UK contacted Dontaie during the HS season.

 

Fair enough. Where did they see and hear about him from to begin with?

I just don't think that all the credit needs to go to the AAU circuit or coaches. Keaton Belcher has done a bunch for this kid. Yes, his play in the AAU season definitely helps things.

 

And I'd say Keaton Belcher will continue to do everything he can for Allen as long as Allen is alive. The statement was made that you can still play at XYZ County and be found if you are good enough and that simply isn't the case anymore in this day and age. You have to put yourself out there, AAU, exposure camps, etc. If you aren't a D-1 talent then you'll need to pay a lot of money just to make it to the NAIA. It isn't 1985 anymore where Joe B. Hall or Denny Crum will get a tip about a talented kid from the mountains and they show up at a high school game to watch him and evaluate him. Those days are done. If a kid in KY isn't out on the scene in the offseason then he isn't going to play in college. I don't care how good he is.

Keep in mind that Keaton played at Belmont, so the contacts that Keaton has there with Rick Byrd hear about Dontaie too. I'm sure talking to Drew Hanlon with Pure Sweat doesn't hurt things either.

Personally I think the kid is a legit D-I guy who will PLAY at that level. He will make enough money playing professionally (here or abroad) to live comfortably for the rest of his life, and creating generational wealth is certainly a viable outcome.

 

There are a lot of NBA players not named James, Bryant, Durant, etc. who still make millions by the time they are 30. Careers - while not 40+ years in duration - are extremely lucrative. I applied but was turned down for a job.

 

I hope he doesn't get sidetracked by injury - he is a special talent who will leave his mark on the game.

 

Havent seen too many 35- 40 year olds "making a living" playing basketball.. But more power to him and why not dream big..

Personally I think the kid is a legit D-I guy who will PLAY at that level. He will make enough money playing professionally (here or abroad) to live comfortably for the rest of his life, and creating generational wealth is certainly a viable outcome.

 

There are a lot of NBA players not named James, Bryant, Durant, etc. who still make millions by the time they are 30. Careers - while not 40+ years in duration - are extremely lucrative. I applied but was turned down for a job.

 

I hope he doesn't get sidetracked by injury - he is a special talent who will leave his mark on the game.

 

Good lord. Let's let the kid pass Algebra II before we start talking about his future wealth.

Good lord. Let's let the kid pass Algebra II before we start talking about his future wealth.

 

:lol2: Exactly Clyde. Not to mention the fact that it's far far more likely that he (or any given kid, even very talented ones) will NOT make a living playing basketball and should not plan on that as a future endeavor.