TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Emmanuel Mudiay leaving SMU before he even starts

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Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 07-14-2014, 02:16 PM:

Heading to play overseas for cash due to the NCAA questioning his amatuer status I guess. I would not be surprised to see more and more "1 and Done" players go this route due to the NCAA compliance beast.

[ 07-14-2014, 02:19 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 07-14-2014, 02:52 PM:

Wow. That's sucks for SMU!

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 07-14-2014, 03:51 PM:

Glad he didn't sign on at UK!

Posted by Bama Cat (Member # 153) on 07-14-2014, 06:03 PM:

There goes Larry Browns future team building. I haven't heard a word about this until now. Another case of wondering what is going on with the NCAA.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 07-15-2014, 09:24 AM:

Looks like I forgot to link the article. They have updated it with other information as well. It is now saying it was a combination of wanting to help his mother out financially and a source saying that the NCAA was questioning his amateur status. Who knows.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/1121 4190/smu-mustangs-prospect-emmanuel-mudiay-headed-overseas

[ 07-15-2014, 09:27 AM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 07-15-2014, 09:29 AM:

Here was the statement he released to SI:

"I was excited about going to SMU and playing college basketball for Coach Brown and his staff and preparing for the NBA, but I was tired of seeing my mom struggle," Mudiay said via a statement his brother, Stephane, provided to SI.com. "And after sitting down with Coach Brown and my family we decided that the best way for me to provide for my mom was to forgo college and pursue professional basketball opportunities. I am grateful for Prime Prep coach [Ray] Forsett for developing me into the player and man that I am and I am also grateful for Coach Brown's guidance and his support. This has nothing to do with my eligibility in any way."

Posted by Ol' Blue (Member # 2317) on 07-15-2014, 04:55 PM:

I wish him luck. Brandon Jennings out of Oak Hill Academy did this and said it was the worst experience ever. He was selected 10th in the subsequent draft (2009) by the Bucks.
Might see more of this in the future if NCAA doesn't get it together and provide something for these kids that are earning millions for the NCAA. They deserve a piece of the pie.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 07-15-2014, 10:28 PM:

Good to see him be so gracious to all the Cat fans and coach Calipari. Good luck to him in his quest for professional basketball stardom.

He had picked SMU over Kentucky only a few weeks before the event, but was gracious with UK fans and in his praise of UK coach John Calipari as well as UK signee Tyler Ulis, a Chicago point guard.

However, I have to admit I was a bit surprised to learn this week that he will be playing professionally in Europe, and not at SMU this season. SMU coach Larry Brown says this is not an “academic issue, since he has been admitted to SMU, but rather a hardship issue.”

Mudiay said simply that he wants to make money to take care of his mother before he’s eligible for the NBA draft in 2015.

Here’s what Mudiay said about UK fans at the Marshall Hoopfest: “The fans are great. A lot of people were telling me they were probably going to boo me and stuff like that, but they are great people, great individuals. A lot of them told me good luck at SMU where I am going. I probably wasn’t expecting that, but I love them for that. I have great respect for Kentucky fans and the school itself.”

Here’s what he said about Calipari: “He wished me the best and I respect that. Some coaches are hurt when you say no, but he just told me to go out there and do what you can do. Larry Brown was talking some stuff and that relationship with Calipari made it better. But I really respect him for how he handled everything. He made it easy on me. I had nothing against Kentucky. I just thought SMU was better for me.”

He called Ulis a “great point guard” who could make incredible passes and more than hold his own against anyone.

Since then, Ulis’ stock has continued to rise and now having him and not Mudiay — and you can draw your own conclusions on what happened with SMU — has turned out to be a blessing for UK.

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