question on Mick's signings

[Ryno99]

Ok so I heard something last night at the game that at first surprised me but then not so much.

I was told that in his 6 or 7 years whatever it is now Mick has never signed a player that played for a Nike sponsored AAU team.

Can anyone validate this? I was told basically that Nike won't let any of their players go to an Adidas school, and that they had so much pull they could make that happen.

Thoughts, comments?

And just for the record I'm not saying this as a bad thing against Mick, just curious. If that's the case I would credit him for going after others and discounting the ones who play for these teams. I also see where this could happen, the unfortunate but true side of recruiting.

 

[Thegreatone]

These AAU coaches are benefiting from these shoe companies trying to get them to sign with there company.

Addidas has been great to UC. We wont touch Nike AAU teams... let me clearify. We cant tough Nike AAU teams.

 

[Ryno99]

I'm glad to hear Adidas has been good to the university. I guess the debate becomes, which relationship is more beneficial for the Athletic department as a whole, Adidas or Nike. Obviously we'd be second if not third tier to Nike, so my assumption would be Adidas, but I'm sure that's up for discussion.

The other side of it is, the discussion to be had over the obstacles coaches face in recruiting that just seem assinine. Considering all the factors, and just plaine fact, Mick has done a hell of a job with the task at hand.

 

[ralph1950]

Ok so I heard something last night at the game that at first surprised me but then not so much.

I was told that in his 6 or 7 years whatever it is now Mick has never signed a player that played for a Nike sponsored AAU team.

Can anyone validate this? I was told basically that Nike won't let any of their players go to an Adidas school, and that they had so much pull they could make that happen.

Thoughts, comments?

And just for the record I'm not saying this as a bad thing against Mick, just curious. If that's the case I would credit him for going after others and discounting the ones who play for these teams. I also see where this could happen, the unfortunate but true side of recruiting.

I was not aware the Nike controlled high school students college decisions. Has Nike signed them to a shoe contract in high school? If so, the NCAA will want to hear about it. Are these students not able to make their own decisions as to what college to attend? Just because World Wide Wes is telling you to go to UK, you do not have to go there if you do not want to.

 

[Bobbiewilliamsux]

http://gary-parrish.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6271764/15458395

I believe this article really shows just how difficult it is for a coach to recruit a player that's not affiliated with the sponsored company. Shoe companies have a ton of swing, and it’s not surprising that Mick may not have received a recruit from a Nike affiliated AAU program. Certainly doesn't mean that he can't recruit, it just shows there's a lot of extenuating circumstances that go into recruiting.

 

[CincyBeerCo]

Weren't most (all) of the camps/tourneys/events Mick used to be part of (pre-coaching) all Adidas affiliated?

 

[Kingsley Court]

Interesting, but I don't buy the whole story too much. Like Ralph said, it's up to the individuals where they want to go to school, and shoe companies have nothing to do with it. It does bring up an interesting topic though, which involves AAU. Stories like this continue to have me questioning AAU.

The question is, is AAU good for high school, and college basketball?

On one hand, the "best" players get to go against the "best" players so they should improve, simply by playing better competition. However, I believe, at least in some parts of the country, it has ruined high school basketball. It also has made in impact on the players themselves having huge heads, getting messed up with the wrong people, and just having a different attitude all together about college hoops.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Many AAU coaches are funnels that receive money and other things for urging kids to play at certain schools. It's something that needs to be cracked down on.

 

[JasonS]

Many AAU coaches are funnels that receive money and other things for urging kids to play at certain schools. It's something that needs to be cracked down on.

Agree. And this is the worst kept secret in all of college sports yet the NCAA continues to look the other way.

 

[bearcat jeff]

Agree. And this is the worst kept secret in all of college sports yet the NCAA continues to look the other way.

And punish people for a meal.

 

[Ryno99]

Interesting, but I don't buy the whole story too much. Like Ralph said, it's up to the individuals where they want to go to school, and shoe companies have nothing to do with it. It does bring up an interesting topic though, which involves AAU. Stories like this continue to have me questioning AAU.

The question is, is AAU good for high school, and college basketball?

On one hand, the "best" players get to go against the "best" players so they should improve, simply by playing better competition. However, I believe, at least in some parts of the country, it has ruined high school basketball. It also has made in impact on the players themselves having huge heads, getting messed up with the wrong people, and just having a different attitude all together about college hoops.

I think you are looking the other way through rose colored glasses if you and Ralphy don't think it is possible that billion dollar companies can not be involved in this process. It's one of the many things wrong with recruiting these days. The facts speak for themselves. Show me a Nike AAU player Mick has signed.

 

[Kingsley Court]

I think you are looking the other way through rose colored glasses if you and Ralphy don't think it is possible that billion dollar companies can not be involved in this process. It's one of the many things wrong with recruiting these days. The facts speak for themselves. Show me a Nike AAU player Mick has signed.

Just because Mick hasn't signed one, doesn't mean nike AAU players aren't allowed to sign with addidas schools. I think that's a little ridiculous and far fetched. They may be steered one way or the other, but ultimately it's their decision. You don't honestly believe that Nike is telling Nike aau basketball players where to go to school, do you? That's simply, not possible. Sure, Nike may want a player to go to a certain school, and hell they may even pay a player if he decides to go to a certain school, but it's still up to the player to make the choice.

I'm sorry, but if a player doesn't choose a certain school because they will not be included in a "nike high school all american contest" then that's just stupid on their part. Being a high school all american doesn't mean squat if you make it to the NBA. Honestly, it doesn't mean squat either way, so to make your decision off of if you will be on a certain shoe's all american list is dumb as hell.

 

[Eternal E]

Just because Mick hasn't signed one, doesn't mean nike AAU players aren't allowed to sign with addidas schools. I think that's a little ridiculous and far fetched. They may be steered one way or the other, but ultimately it's their decision. You don't honestly believe that Nike is telling Nike aau basketball players where to go to school, do you? That's simply, not possible. Sure, Nike may want a player to go to a certain school, and hell they may even pay a player if he decides to go to a certain school, but it's still up to the player to make the choice.

I'm sorry, but if a player doesn't choose a certain school because they will not be included in a "nike high school all american contest" then that's just stupid on their part. Being a high school all american doesn't mean squat if you make it to the NBA. Honestly, it doesn't mean squat either way, so to make your decision off of if you will be on a certain shoe's all american list is dumb as hell.

High profile recruits that are sponsored by either Nike or Adidas, generally are swayed towards schools with their respective affiliation. The greatest example was with Marquis Teague. His brother Jeff, signed on with Nike Lebron (who Kentucky is affiliated with) around the time Kentucky got into the recruitment of him, that basically assured he'd sign with UK over Louisville and Cincinnati both of whom are Adidas schools. It isn't a huge factor, but with the top recruits who are looking to market themselves to the companies when they turn pro it does matter a lot.

 

[Ryno99]

High profile recruits that are sponsored by either Nike or Adidas, generally are swayed towards schools with their respective affiliation. The greatest example was with Marquis Teague. His brother Jeff, signed on with Nike Lebron (who Kentucky is affiliated with) around the time Kentucky got into the recruitment of him, that basically assured he'd sign with UK over Louisville and Cincinnati both of whom are Adidas schools. It isn't a huge factor, but with the top recruits who are looking to market themselves to the companies when they turn pro it does matter a lot.

E, that is the only reason Teague signed with KY I know this for a fact. I can't really get into details, but suffice it to say his brother got that contract and it was a condition of Marquis signing with KY.

 

[Eternal E]

E, that is the only reason Teague signed with KY I know this for a fact. I can't really get into details, but suffice it to say his brother got that contract and it was a condition of Marquis signing with KY.

I figured that would be the case, the timing clearly would lead one to that assumption.