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Topic: Breaking News
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ukcatfannfl
Player
Member # 1425
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posted 05-06-2020 01:23 PM
Wake Forest star center Olivier Sarr is officially a Kentucky Wildcat. This afternoon, the 7-foot center native of France announced his commitment to Kentucky, opting to transfer to UK over a return to Wake Forest, among interest from more than a dozen high-profile schools such as Duke, Baylor, Florida State, and Gonzaga. “First of all, I want to thank everyone at Wake Forest – everyone from the fans, to my teammates, to all the coaches, the staff, the administration, my teachers, our academic support team, the RAs, managers and so many others – for all they’ve done for me the last three years. All of you worked with me to make me a better person, a better basketball player, and a better man. I am indebted to all of you for the experience I’ve had the last three seasons. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To all the fans at Wake Forest, thank you for adopting me and making me one of your own. I’ll never forget my time in Winston-Salem and the memories our team made playing for you. Once a Demon Deacon, always a Demon Deacon. With everything that has happened in the last 2-3 weeks, I’ve had a lot to think about and consider. If I’m being honest, it’s been an emotional struggle for me. Coach Manniing and the staff were family. After thinking deeply about it, talking with my support system, and weighing my future, I just didn’t feel like I could be at my best by returning to Wake Forest. With that said, I have decided to finish my career at the University of Kentucky and take the challenge. I want to thank everyone for their kindness and respect in coming to this decision. I will always be a fan of Wake Forest. “BBN, I can’t wait to get started.”
-------------------- ukcatfannfl
Posts: 8771 | From: Inverness, FL | Registered: Jun 2001
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clydeh
Player
Member # 7
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posted 05-06-2020 02:27 PM
That is a very nice parting statement from Sarr.
Posts: 845 | From: Cullman, AL, USA | Registered: Aug 1999
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Bama Cat
Player
Member # 153
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posted 05-06-2020 07:27 PM
I see no way the NCAA can stop him from being eligible this season since his coach was fired. You think the prognosticators will start moving us up in the 20-21 rankings? Wait till Cal adds another big man. Did we ever have any doubt we would be a contender for the final four again.
Posts: 14130 | From: berea, ky, usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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MEL
Player
Member # 141
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posted 05-06-2020 07:34 PM
BC … I read somewhere today that players from a school that got rid of their coach (I believe it was unlv but not positive) didn't get the waiver (I think one went to Texas Tech and not sure where the other one or two went) and had to sit out a year. If that is correct then he might or might not be eligible. I can't find where I read the article or I would link it. I am guessing he will be eligible but you never know with the ncaa. I wish they would make a rule and put it in black and white stating that kids could move without having to get a waiver or sit out if their coach left or was fired. That would get rid of the arbitrary waivers !!!
MEL [ 05-06-2020, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: MEL ]
Posts: 2791 | From: Greeley, CO, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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Bama Cat
Player
Member # 153
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posted 05-06-2020 08:21 PM
I think if he wanted to play bad enough he could get a lawyer to represent him.
Posts: 14130 | From: berea, ky, usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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MEL
Player
Member # 141
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posted 05-06-2020 08:45 PM
I didn't say he couldn't play … just said he doesn't get a waiver automatically.
MEL
Posts: 2791 | From: Greeley, CO, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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PaulCat
Player
Member # 513
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posted 05-07-2020 08:51 AM
It is awfully rare that a transfer gets a waiver. In my opinion, a head coaching change should NOT be grounds for a waiver. The school should come first - sports should be secondary. And I know i'm probably waaaaay in the minority here.
Posts: 10324 | From: Erlanger, Ky. USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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ukcatfannfl
Player
Member # 1425
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posted 05-07-2020 08:53 AM
Here's what could happen if he doesn't get a waiver.
"Sarr told ESPN he has too many credits remaining to become a grad transfer and that if his waiver isn’t accepted, he will pursue professional options instead of sitting out. "
-------------------- ukcatfannfl
Posts: 8771 | From: Inverness, FL | Registered: Jun 2001
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MEL
Player
Member # 141
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posted 05-07-2020 10:59 AM
ukc … sounds like his Wake Forest education taught him something.
MEL
Posts: 2791 | From: Greeley, CO, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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GA Cat
Administrator
Member # 642
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posted 05-07-2020 01:50 PM
I think odds are small that he ever plays at Kentucky.
-------------------- Born Blue, Always Blue Kentucky Blue, that is...
Posts: 2229 | From: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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GA Cat
Administrator
Member # 642
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posted 05-07-2020 01:51 PM
quote: Originally posted by PaulCat: It is awfully rare that a transfer gets a waiver. In my opinion, a head coaching change should NOT be grounds for a waiver. The school should come first - sports should be secondary. And I know i'm probably waaaaay in the minority here.
Actually, I see your point, but also disagree. I think if coaches are allowed to move and scholarships are not guaranteed beyond one year, the student athlete should be just as mobile.
-------------------- Born Blue, Always Blue Kentucky Blue, that is...
Posts: 2229 | From: Atlanta, GA, USA | Registered: Jul 2000
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MEL
Player
Member # 141
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posted 05-07-2020 02:33 PM
Here is some information I found on recent changing of coaches and players transferring.
UNLV players didn't get waivers last year after coaching change. Koby McEwen did not play for Marquette last year after Utah State fired its coach. Jamal Johnson from Memphis did not play for Auburn after Tubby Smith was fired. Pitt players that transferred after Stallings was fired did not play as well for their new teams. Hell, Louisville transfers were not eligible to play after Pitino mess! (Lance Thomas to Memphis) Etc.
MEL
Posts: 2791 | From: Greeley, CO, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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MountainMafia
Player
Member # 2066
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posted 05-07-2020 03:35 PM
Ga Cat: quote: I think odds are small that he ever plays at Kentucky
I agree. May not even have basketball this year anyway.
-------------------- "It's amazing what you can accomplish when nobody cares who gets the credit"....Tubby Smith after winning 1998 National Title.
Posts: 4694 | From: Alabama | Registered: Aug 2003
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Bama Cat
Player
Member # 153
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posted 05-07-2020 03:53 PM
I'm gonna agree to disagree with above. I am not going searching for instances but I know there have been some instances where firing of the coach enabled players to get waivers to play immediately at other universities.
Posts: 14130 | From: berea, ky, usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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Bama Cat
Player
Member # 153
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posted 05-07-2020 04:16 PM
"""Waiver requests are judged individually and subjectivity bakes into the process — which can make results seem ambiguous.
“If you get lawyers you’re going to get it, but if you can’t afford the lawyers, you’re not,”""
I'm betting UK makes sure he has a good lawyer when he faces the NCAA.
Posts: 14130 | From: berea, ky, usa | Registered: Sep 1999
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MEL
Player
Member # 141
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posted 05-07-2020 04:31 PM
Not sure uk can pay for a lawyer for Sarr can they ???
MEL
Posts: 2791 | From: Greeley, CO, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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handycat
Player
Member # 2323
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posted 05-07-2020 04:37 PM
Look Mel, we paid damn good money for Sarr! Surely the NCAA won’t be chickensh*t enough to quibble about us paying for a lawyer! [ 05-07-2020, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]
Posts: 5379 | From: decatur ill. | Registered: Feb 2005
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PaulCat
Player
Member # 513
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posted 05-07-2020 04:41 PM
quote: Originally posted by GA Cat: quote: Originally posted by PaulCat: It is awfully rare that a transfer gets a waiver. In my opinion, a head coaching change should NOT be grounds for a waiver. The school should come first - sports should be secondary. And I know i'm probably waaaaay in the minority here.
Actually, I see your point, but also disagree. I think if coaches are allowed to move and scholarships are not guaranteed beyond one year, the student athlete should be just as mobile.
I think I would be okay with transferring after the semester is over as long as scholarships are one-year deals. However, if a student leaves in the middle of the year (ala Kahlil Whitney), he should have to sit out that long the following year.
Posts: 10324 | From: Erlanger, Ky. USA | Registered: Mar 2000
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MEL
Player
Member # 141
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posted 05-07-2020 05:12 PM
hc … you are hilarious but truthful
MEL
Posts: 2791 | From: Greeley, CO, USA | Registered: Sep 1999
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