TheCatsDomain.Com Message Boards: Gabriel Staying in Draft, UK career over

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Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 05-30-2018, 07:17 PM:

From KSR:

quote:

Wenyen Gabriel has decided to stay in the NBA Draft, ending his career as a Kentucky Wildcat. He announced the news via social media moments ago. “BBN, thank you for supporting me for the last two years and being patient with me through these last few weeks,” Gabriel said. “This process hasn’t been easy for me and it’s choosing between a lifelong dream and playing in front of a fan base that I’ve grown to love so much. Opportunities like these don’t come without the support and encouragement from my family, Coach Cal, the coaching staff, my teammates, and of course, the fans. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of this journey at the University of Kentucky and I just want to thank everyone for who has supported me through both my ups and my downs. Lord knows this hasn’t been easy, but my time here has only better prepared me for what the future has for me. “After receiving positive feedback, my dreams of becoming a professional basketball player are that much closer to reality. I believe that I’m ready to take that jump and will be keeping my name in the 2018 draft.”

quote:

He wasn't even invited to the draft combine so I do not see anyone drafting him at this point in his career. I assume he is planning on going overseas to play basketball somewhere. Hopefully we can get the Stanford transfer. I really liked Gabriel and hoped he would return but he is older than the rest of the team and from what I have read in the past, his family need financial help really bad. He would have been able to graduate from college in three years had he returned to Kentucky. For his and his family's sake, I hope he is making the right decision.

[ 05-30-2018, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: SCWC ]

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 05-31-2018, 06:33 AM:

Maybe WG will get to play some summer ball on one of the NBA teams and continue to improve!

Posted by rlt4uk (Member # 3194) on 05-31-2018, 01:26 PM:

He'll end up overseas.

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 05-31-2018, 08:56 PM:

Leaving UK to go overseas doesn't make a lot of sense.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 06-01-2018, 06:22 AM:

A young man from here locally played pro baseball in Japan for 9 years. he averaged right at 1.5 Mil/year. I haven't found a job yet that will pay me that! (I'm still looking) [Wink]

Posted by CatFanInYankeeville (Member # 2025) on 06-01-2018, 08:12 AM:

Gabriel was in a tough spot. I think he knew coming back would improve his draft stock, but his family was desperate for money. Can't blame the kid for trying to do what's best for the family, just hope it wasn't too short-sighted of him to miss out on potential payday of becoming a lottery pick.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 06-01-2018, 09:32 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by m hamilton:
A young man from here locally played pro baseball in Japan for 9 years. he averaged right at 1.5 Mil/year.

And he had to live in Japan for 9 years. [Frown]

Posted by ukcatfannfl (Member # 1425) on 06-01-2018, 10:12 AM:

Japan is a wonderful country to live in...Especially when one is outside the hustle and bustle of Toyoko..

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 06-01-2018, 02:02 PM:

One of my sons is teaching high school physics at a marine base on Okinawa. He and his wife absolutely love it there. Says the natives there are extremely polite people and there is practically no crime there.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 06-01-2018, 06:38 PM:

I was in Japan for 3 days on my way to Korea in 1963. I was 17 years old. All I remember was that if you could lift the bottle they would serve you booze and the "girls" would do business with you if you were out of diapers and had money. Best I remember I had a real good time.

[ 06-01-2018, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 06-01-2018, 10:48 PM:

I spent a week in Japan in the mid-90s. It was an extraordinary experience. Japan is a wonderful place, except there are no signs in English. I would not want to live there unless I could read, speak, and write Japanese.

Posted by m hamilton (Member # 127) on 06-04-2018, 06:16 AM:

I'd say as a pro athlete you probably have handlers and translators to assist you in a lot of your goings on!