Let's hear some opinions about the pros and cons of Kentucky high school basketball players going prep school.

 

Names like Twany Beckham, Tony Kimbro, Aaron Cosby, and Jacob Jenkins have all utilized the prep route. What are some thoughts on prep schooling from a Kentucky athlete's standpoint?

For Beckham and Jenkins I think its a good idea to help them out after they spent 4 years playing high school basketball in KY. For Cosby and Kimbro I think it is a mistake. When you play for a prep school you play in a league that plays very little defense and most games you probably don't play in front of more than 100 people. Kentucky high school basketball is a great thing. While Ky doesn't have the talent, there is a lot of great coaches and programs that teaches the game well. Looking at Beckham for example, he got a chance his senior year to play in the state championship game. That is an even I am sure he will never forget.

For Beckham and Jenkins I think its a good idea to help them out after they spent 4 years playing high school basketball in KY. For Cosby and Kimbro I think it is a mistake. When you play for a prep school you play in a league that plays very little defense and most games you probably don't play in front of more than 100 people. Kentucky high school basketball is a great thing. While Ky doesn't have the talent, there is a lot of great coaches and programs that teaches the game well. Looking at Beckham for example, he got a chance his senior year to play in the state championship game. That is an even I am sure he will never forget.

 

No one can argue the point that Kentucky High School basketball isn't the best state as far as the atmosphere, especially the Sweet 16. There's no greater experience for a young man in high school.

 

You are also right about the talent level. It's off the charts in the northeastern New England Prep league. Not only do you have teammates bound for conferences like the Big East and others, every game you face top 100 talent.

 

Another thing to go along with the higher level of play is being able to play a natural position. With 6-7 plus wing players and centers, you don't have to take a point guard and make them a 3 or a shooting guard at 6-3 or 6-4 and make them a PF or C.

Not sure it is a mistake for Cosby. It could be, but he has gotten things off to a great start. Check this recent article about his progress at prep school.

 

http://w3.nbebasketball.com/2009/09/09/class-of-2011-intro-aaron-cosby/

In reference to playing front of smaller crowds in prep play, that holds true on some games. However, the number of college coaches attending practices and games is 20 times that of what you see in the bluegrass.

 

For instance, at a recent practice at Thomas More Prep there were some 10 to 15 coaches present. On one occasion, UConn, Boston College, WV, and several others were on hand to watch players work out.

It seems to me that a lot of D1's are not willing to take a player who needs a year to develop and red-shirt them, particularly a mid-major level prospect. If this players goes to a juco and then transfers up, they lose eligibility. If the player takes the chance and walks on their first year, they also risk losing eligibility depending on the situation. The prep school is a good route for a player to get that extra year of development, it just gets down to the cost....prep school's are expensive if you don't get financial help.

It seems to me that a lot of D1's are not willing to take a player who needs a year to develop and red-shirt them, particularly a mid-major level prospect. If this players goes to a juco and then transfers up, they lose eligibility. If the player takes the chance and walks on their first year, they also risk losing eligibility depending on the situation. The prep school is a good route for a player to get that extra year of development, it just gets down to the cost....prep school's are expensive if you don't get financial help.

Make several good points. Financial aid and assistence is there at most prep schools. Sometimes it not the development that is necessary, its simply the exposure. College coaches seem to come in packs to watch practices and games. A big part of that is the number top players that play in the prep leagues.

 

It is frustrating so many Kentucky high school players who take DI and DII offers end up falling back to NAIA or juco or stop playing all together following their first year in college or even before. The past 4 or 5 classes has shown that. Hopefully future classes will change that trend. I would think with the competiton being much greater at the prep level, this might prepare players for the leap in talent level they will see in college as oppose to what they see in KY.

Let's hear some opinions about the pros and cons of Kentucky high school basketball players going prep school.

 

Names like Twany Beckham, Tony Kimbro, Aaron Cosby, and Jacob Jenkins have all utilized the prep route. What are some thoughts on prep schooling from a Kentucky athlete's standpoint?

 

I had an opportunity to see Kimbro a few times this season and I think he has a ways to go. He can get to the rack with absolute ease, but his jumpshot was very ineffective in the games I saw. He was also lacking on the defensive end and needs to gain some strength to be able to box out and rebound a little better. The potential and high ceiling is definitely there! Hopefully he continues to work hard and will succeed!

I had an opportunity to see Kimbro a few times this season and I think he has a ways to go. He can get to the rack with absolute ease, but his jumpshot was very ineffective in the games I saw. He was also lacking on the defensive end and needs to gain some strength to be able to box out and rebound a little better. The potential and high ceiling is definitely there! Hopefully he continues to work hard and will succeed!

 

Kimbro lacks a perimeter game, but that should come since he's now playing a guard position rather than the 4 or 5 spot. One of the negatives in playing in Louisville is that a 6'5 kid will likely play power forward and center whereas at a prep school 6'4 and 6'5 are point guard and shooting guard heights. Louisville is abundant with 5'9 point and 5'11 SG's and 6'3 PF's.

 

When a kid from KY reaches a college they many times have to learn a whole new position along with their role and team system. Might be another reason such a huge number of kid's transfer back from out-of-state teams to KY.