Jalen Kendrick Released from Memphis

[bearcat jeff]

A former McDonald's All American, this kid has had a very tumultous past. He was suspended by Memphis Head Coach Josh Pastner and part of his suspension involved seeing school psychologist Jane Clement three times a week.

This kid has major talent, but with the team chemistry that Mick has built there is no way I bring this guy in. About a week ago Pastner praised Kendrick for the improvement in his behavior, but as recently as Thursday he was reportedly pulled off the court for disrupting practice and then on Friday he mouthed off to one of Pastner's assistants.

His plans are to finish the semester at Memphis then transfer. He would be eligible to play next December if he signs quickly.

I believe in second chances, but this isn't the NBA. College basketball is a team sport and chemistry is huge. You can't blame Mick if he takes a peek at Jalen Kendrick, but you damn sure better be sure he has matured and is willing to be part of a team environment if you pursue him. This is a huge risk vs. reward situation.

Cincinnati still needs a big, especially if Yancy Gates departs after this season. You cannot enter next season with Ellis, Jackson and Gaines as the only bigs on your team. If Yancey stays you're still very thin with 4 frontcourt players. One of which is rail thin at this point in Ellis.

He was suspended for making verbal threats to team members. See below:

Pastner has suspended Kendrick from practices, although he currently remains enrolled at the university, for making verbal threats to a teammate.

According to reports, Kendrick has been in multiple altercations with teammates since arriving on campus and for such a young talent this has to seem quite disappointing.

One of the first altercations Kendrick was involved in forced Pastner to suspend and prevent the freshman guard from joining the team's preseason trip to the Bahamas.

Kendrick's recent issue was deemed serious enough to alert school officials and although the details of the situation have not fully been determined, the decision to remove Kendrick from practices and team activities has been decided.

http://thearenapulse.blogspot.com/2010/10/memphis-guard-jelan-kendrick-suspended.html

 

[Thegreatone]

Very interesting. I don't think we will be a factor. If we are I will be surprised and would not be in favor of the move unless Jalen proves he is not going to be trouble here.

 

[david aka the TYZ]

Very interesting. I don't think we will be a factor. If we are I will be surprised and would not be in favor of the move unless Jalen proves he is not going to be trouble here.

I doubt Mick will go after him as well. There really is no way to assure he won't be a problem. Kids can say anything they want when calm, but the second their emotions get the better of them they react naturally. Look at LeGarrette Blount (Oregon player now with the Buccaneers). He said and did all the right things and then punched a teammate (in his helmet) during preseason workouts. People are who they are. You take a kid like this you don't hope they change you just have to hope they don't do anything dumb. This would be a bad move for any team to take him.

 

[Lobot]

This is kid is literally a headcase. If you want to bring him here, I 'd have both an independent Psychologist and Psychiatrist work him up. I'm betting there's a medical issue here.

 

[psax889906]

Sad to see because he is such an enormous talent... I hope he figures his life out and can find his way back down the road.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

As many credible people have stated, this seems to really be out of character for Jalen. I know on the other board people who have spoken to Chad said he seemed like a really good kid. When you are in the position Mick is, you have to at least be open to bringing in this sort of talent.

 

[psax889906]

As many credible people have stated, this seems to really be out of character for Jalen. I know on the other board people who have spoken to Chad who said he seemed like a really good kid. When you are in the position Mick is, you have to at least be open to bringing in this sort of talent.

I'm sorry... what position is that exactly?

They just signed a HELL of a class at the wing positions with Shaq and 'Maine... they've already got SK for three more years after this one... I don't see it.

 

[Not Guilty]

Gary Parisch was insistent that Jelan is crazy via his twitter account. I think he is based out of memphis and may know the story better than most.

Given that and how guard/wing heavy we are and will be next year, I would stay away.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

I'm sorry... what position is that exactly?

They just signed a HELL of a class at the wing positions with Shaq and 'Maine... they've already got SK for three more years after this one... I don't see it.

He is a win or get fired sort of position

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

Gary Parisch was insistent that Jelan is crazy via his twitter account. I think he is based out of memphis and may know the story better than most.

Given that and how guard/wing heavy we are and will be next year, I would stay away.

Again, I am not familiar with the situation, was just passing info that I've heard from people who were close to the situation when we were actively pursuing Jalen.

I didn't say they NEED to get him, but you at least have to be open to it. We were pretty guard heavy when we brought in Born Ready, there are just certain talents that you at least consider the risk for.

 

[psax889906]

He is a win or get fired sort of position

But wouldn't that be the sort of move he made when he brought Lance Stephenson in? Haven't we been down that road? If all the reports about better team chemistry are true, and thus far they appear to be, though the jury is still out, do you want to mess with that and bring in a kid with possible emotional/mental issues?

Ultimately I just think they're too loaded at the wing positions to bring in another... we all know they need another big in the worst way.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

But wouldn't that be the sort of move he made when he brought Lance Stephenson in? Haven't we been down that road? If all the reports about better team chemistry are true, and thus far they appear to be, though the jury is still out, do you want to mess with that and bring in a kid with possible emotional/mental issues?

Ultimately I just think they're too loaded at the wing positions to bring in another... we all know they need another big in the worst way.

Lance Stephenson was not the problem on the team. Mick just threw him under the bus along with Vaughn (who was a problem) to get people off his back for the unsuccessful season. I never did get that. I agree that they really could use a big man, but again Mick is in a must win position and if he doesn't at least consider Jalen, he is making a mistake.

McDonald All American's and NBA talents don't just grow on trees.

 

[thebeast]

if this was a 6' 10" nut case then i say do it but its just a wing nut case not worth the risk

 

[thebeast]

Lance Stephenson was not the problem on the team. Mick just threw him under the bus along with Vaughn (who was a problem) to get people off his back for the unsuccessful season. I never did get that. I agree that they really could use a big man, but again Mick is in a must win position and if he doesn't at least consider Jalen, he is making a mistake.

McDonald All American's and NBA talents don't just grow on trees.

he is making a mistake no matter what he does in your eyes. kendrick wouldn't even be able to help until the end of NEXT year

 

[psax889906]

if this was a 6' 10" nut case then i say do it but its just a wing nut case not worth the risk

pretty much says it all.

And for the record I don't think Lance was a problem chemistry wise, so I apologize as I can see how my statement implied he was. I will clarify, as great a talent as he was, I still think he (and Vaughn) were a detriment to the team in terms of offensive flow and to a lesser extent pressure defense. Do I think Cronin deserves some of that blame for not properly utilizing them and developing them into the team concept? Certainly. But all things being equal I think when March rolls around this team beats last years team.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

he is making a mistake no matter what he does in your eyes. kendrick wouldn't even be able to help until the end of NEXT year

Not true. I am very happy with the 2011 recruiting class. The players they currently have signed certainly signal an improvement in talent than the current senior class. I think Shaq Thomas will become a star down the road in the Big East, and I tend to shy away from bold statements like that. However none of these guys are burger boys and pure NBA talents right now; Kendrick is that. The only thing I am saying is that some people are making it seem like we are "loaded at the wing/guard position". Sure we certainly have a bunch of guys that can play there. But that certainly doesn't mean we are loaded; don't mistake quantity with quality. None of them have as much pure talent as Kendrick. Thats why it would be foolish to not at least CONSIDER the option, never said he was a must get. I was just trying to make a simple point, no need to jump on it.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

pretty much says it all.

And for the record I don't think Lance was a problem chemistry wise, so I apologize as I can see how my statement implied he was. I will clarify, as great a talent as he was, I still think he (and Vaughn) were a detriment to the team in terms of offensive flow and to a lesser extent pressure defense. Do I think Cronin deserves some of that blame for not properly utilizing them and developing them into the team concept? Certainly. But all things being equal I think when March rolls around this team beats last years team.

All fair points, and the last part is yet to be seen, but I applaud your optimism.

 

[psax889906]

All fair points, and the last part is yet to be seen, but I applaud your optimism.

I'm trying to keep the ship afloat.