Legacy23

True, not to take anything away from this kid. I think anyone who has seen him play knows he wasn't a legit D2 player. I think there is some inside connection because there were several players who were better than him who played before him. Hence why he didn't get much pt in High School.

O'Connor must be one that is under the radar. I didn't comment on him because I don't know who he is and haven't seen him play. Also, he didn't make the top 10 in he region.

One that comes to mind is Nestheide (sp?) from CCH. He had a phenomenal College Career. Along with Romes of Beechwood. I think there have been several players over the last few years who could have ended up at higher division then they did. However they were stars at the D3 level.

This might be true, I'm just saying to be a college player you need to be the total package as you go up a division. You need to be a consistent shooter with speed, size, and ability. Also, a very consistent work ethic.

If I am correct, I believe he has some connection to the school.

Obviously Rico is a D1 talent as he has already committed to Ohio University. I would say Elijah is the next best player in the region who could end up at a D1. I think he will have a very similar path to Greg Rice. I think you will end up seeing him at a Juco then transfer out to a D1 if he can make the grades. Next, I would say JJ is the most likely to go D1. Especially if Holmes repeats or makes another state run this will increase his chances. But he might be better off at a D2/ NAIA. As for the rest possibly Gabbard may end up NAIA/D2 but if he has already had the Ashland scholarship pulled due to jordan berlin committing then he has to have a heck of a year ,imo, to go on that level. I think the majority of this class will end up at the D3 level if they decide to play. Players such as Gabbard, Popp, Earls, Avery, Mcleish, Kowolonek, and Reiger. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few.

I agree with everything besides the jump shot. Imo, in high school he got the majority of his points from the post, paint, or foul line. In college this won't work due to taller and more athletic players. At the collegiate level he's a 6'4'' wing who is going to need to shoot from the perimeter and take players off the dribble. I just don't think that is his game. Imo, he needs to become more of a guard oriented or shooting forward type player who really needs to work on his speed. I'm not so sure he can keep up with fast pace guards/wings at that level. I think Gabbard and Mcfarland are quite similar even though they play different positions. Both strong, athletic kids however they both lack consistent jump shots. I noticed last year during the region Gabbard hesitated quite a bit with wide open 3 point shots. At the collegiate level you have to have confidence and be able to knock down a high percentage of open shots. But we all know these are fixable things. Both are good kids and have bright futures ahead. Wish them the best.

Yeah I find it odd that he would do well enough to be recruited on the AAU circuit rather then even getting playing time on his high school team. Usually, AAU teams are composed of the areas best talent and in some cases all across an area such as Ky, Tenn, Ohio, and Indy. The competition in AAU tends to be much more competitive because your are playing against all of the best competition throughout the country.

This might be true...I doubt Mcfarland will be seeing much time at Georgetown unless he improves his jumpshot. Georgetown is an NAIA powerhouse with talent such as Matt Walls from Scott County Championship team who transferred from Marshall, Victor Moses, along with some D1 transfers.

Yeah I'm not sure what Wildcatfan is referring to by firm offers at the D3 level. You can't get offered by a D3 school it's all academic based. Coaches at D3 level recruit players to come to the school to play. Saying anyone can play D3 or NAIA is completely false. Occasionally people might go to a D3 school or NAIA and try to be on the team. However, these coaches do recruit certain players who are good enough. I don't think people realize how hard it is to play college basketball especially as you go up from D3 to D2 to D1 etc. Also, at D3 schools there might be a total of 20 players on the team however some of that is a jv team. I think NAIA schools have this as well (Georgetown). I doubt that at these schools all 20 players travel on the legit team.

I think in the end you will see the majority of these players other than some of the Holmes players going D3 if they decide to play. Every once in a while you will see a D2 or NAIA. However, NKY is really proving to be a D3 talent pool over the last couple of years.

Imo, Popp needs to have a solid High School season to go D3. He hasn't shown much on the High School level.

By what schools? If Gabbard is having a D2 offer pulled there is no way Popp is getting D2 offers. Not to take anything away from Popp he just isn't a D2 player at least not from what I have seen. Gabbard will be the only player on that team that maybe plays D2.

Ellenwood must have picked up on him when he was at TMC.

I think there are several players in this class that might have an opportunity to play at the D3 level. However, outside of the Johnson brothers and Pittman I doubt many are getting actual offers from D2. D2 competition is tough especially with all the transfers. Ex: Corey Sorrell filled it up in high school scoring 20 points a game. He goes to NKU and has to redshirt. I don't think some people realize how big of a jump it is as you go up division. Even D3 to D2. Also, there are many factors that are involved when trying to play college basketball. D3 schools are unable to offer athletic scholarships which means you have to be a pretty decent student to get in. Not only that, unless you have lots of money, you need good grades in order to get a solid academic scholarship. Most D3 schools tend to be very expensive which makes it complicated at times for many players.

Gabbard has been offered by whom?

Two of the three? I'm assuming your referring to Gabbard and ?

Ok Voice of Reason to sum up what I think.... I was not basing my opinions or what I know off of that article or what I read on here at all. I wouldn't say any of what I said if I didn't know them. This is why I know the process did not go the way they wanted it to from the get go. Luke wanted to sign. Offered a 3rd to 6th round picks money, he'd have gone. If he honestly said "I'll only go for 1st or 2nd round money, so don't offer me 300,000 or less" then he'd have never been in negotiations this long and made it known to many around that he wanted to sign, cause there was no chance in that happening. Obviously the Sox, if they were willing to deal out some money, would go after one of the three guys they mentioned in their report. They chose them for a reason and I can totally buy that he may have been more a 20th round pick, but since it was known blah blah he went 43rd. But he wasn't a top round pick talent, or they'd have been willing to offer the money he wanted...alas there is no offer. I don't think it matters. I think he'll be better off at UK, and if baseball doesn't pan out for him he'll have an amazing experience and a degree to boot. But if indeed he turned down 3rd to 6th round money, then he has a whole lot riding on his college career, because he is betting that he is really a 1st or 2nd round pick...and who knows what can happen between now and 2012. I agree with what he is saying![B] I first off said he was not a top 5 round pick more of a 20 round pick![/b] There was no offer nor any proof of him being a top 5 round pick. My last statement was based off what the article read saying he was worth 3rd to 6th round pick! I said also in an earlier post that I wouldn't be suprised if he was offered up to 100k maybe even 200k but there was no way he was getting 500k! You can read into the article what you want but when it comes down to it he wasn't offered a contract it's that simple!Plus IMO like Ocsar said Luke definately wanted to sign and I have a hard time believeing he was offered 300k and passed beacuse for being drafted in the 43rd round that's an unreal amount of cash! It stinks being wrong but sometimes it happens! I do give you credit by trying to find every flaw you can with everything I post. But in all reality he wasn't a top 5 round pick and he didn't get the money nor contract of a top 5 round pick! I told you on August 17th it wouldn't happen and sure enough it didn't. I knew he would end up at UK! I wish him the best and things will be very interesting in 3 years whne he reapplys!

For being drafted in the 43rd round and then being offered 300k when majority of the 43rd round gets maybe 1 to 5 k why wouldn't you take it?:confused: IMO, like Oscar has said they truly believed he was a legit top 5 round pick. This IMO is why the whole process didn't go as planned. He may have dropped in the draft due to asking for way too much money but in doing that it got him no where. And i really do believe he was set on skipping on college because I don't think they would have been negotiating this long for his father to tell the papers the day before the deadline there is no contract and he will be attending UK.

Thank you Homerun! I completely agree with your statement. If the Red Sox really did even offer 3rd to 6th round money then why wasn't there ever a contract released?! Also, in the article notice how Ryn Ernst only quoted what Mr. Maile said! There was no factual information that the Red Sox actually offered up to 300k! I'm not saying Mr. Maile lied either but I think saying prettied it up is a good way of putting it! Everyone thinks the most of their kid and that's normal!

According to Baseball America, players selected in the first two rounds of the 2008 draft received signing bonuses between $547,000 and $6.15 million. Most of the players selected between the third and sixth rounds signed for bonuses between $150,000 and $300,000. According to Baseball America, players selected in the first two rounds of the 2008 draft received signing bonuses between $547,000 and $6.15 million. Most of the players selected between the third and sixth rounds signed for bonuses between $150,000 and $300,000. And you guys acted like I had no clue what I was talking about?!:sssh: Told you he wasn't worth first or second round money! However, I am very happy with Luke's decision it's a win win! Good Luck in College and I wish you the best! Look forward to seeing the draft again in 3 years!:ylsuper:

Actually he was a really tall lefty who threw smoke!

If I'm not mistaken I believe all of their draft picks are invited to come up to fenway to show their skills. I don't see why the Red Sox wouldn't watch all their draft picks who could possibly sign at the last second? Most players that are drafted in the later rounds just turn down the offer and head to college. I understand Maile is an exception but I seriously doubt he is being offered a half a million dollars when the majority of that round the players are being offered 1k or 5k! I never onced said oh he is for sure being offered 1k, 5k, or even 50k. In an earlier post I asked all you inside info guys how much he was asking for etc and no one can seem to find an answer! justletmeplay was the only guy who gave me some info and he basically mentioned that he was offered anywhere from 300k to 500k. Yes he might be offered 100k or maybe even 200k but is that the 500k? No! And from what I heard he hasn't even been offered a big contract like that yet! It's going to be a last minute offer if there is a better offer then before! To sum up what I'm saying...IMO I don't think saying he is a top 5 round pick is legit. I don't see how a player who is that good can fall all the way to the 43rd round. Even if he was asking for a lot of money, if he was selected in those rounds he would have gotten a million maybe more or less just depends. Now if your telling me he is a top 20 to 25 round pick then yeah that's possible. That's why I believe the Red Sox are still in negotiations with him. I just think saying he was offered 500k is a little far fetched because of where he was drafted. You all can think I'm wrong but we will ultimately see on August 17th!:ylsuper:

When did I say that I knew for sure his signing bonus was for 1k? It could possibly be all the way up to a 100k even 200k however i have a hard time believeing a kid drafted in the 43rd round is being offered half a million dollars! It just doesn't happen when the majority of kids in the 43rd round get 1k or even 5k.

Look at what you are saying. Your telling me that Luke is basically the only 43rd round player who is getting offered 500k. However, every other player drafted in the 43rd round is just getting a 1,000 signing bonus take it or leave it? Look at that! The majority of 43rd players are getting a $1,000 SIGNING BONUS! So Luke is going to get 499,000 more then all of these guys?! Come on man....:confused: