WHO IS STAYING? (ANSWER: Green, Richards, Washington, Baker)

[George]

It occurs to me that nobody has ever impugned Mark Zuckerberg or Bill Gates or Steve Jobs for dropping out of college to start companies. Those guys had an idea and capitalized on it and became wealthy beyond their wildest imaginations, and they're lauded as American heroes almost. But a basketball player wants to leave school to become wealthy, which has roughly the same odds as someone dropping out of school to start a business, and they get slammed for it.

Exactly. At the end of the day we’re talking about talented individuals trying their luck in a professional setting. There’s no difference (except race, if we want to go there).

[Blue Heaven]

Yeah, I just don't understand those that begrudge someone for wanting to make money. I mean, it is their profession. No difference really between the Gates' and Jobs' that Dwight mentioned. Those that hate on these kids for going pro do it for selfish reasons. We don't cheer for the Zukerbergs' or Gates' or Jobs' of the world because they aren't winning anything for us.

[Joneslab]

Yeah, I just don't understand those that begrudge someone for wanting to make money. I mean, it is their profession. No difference really between the Gates' and Jobs' that Dwight mentioned. Those that hate on these kids for going pro do it for selfish reasons. We don't cheer for the Zukerbergs' or Gates' or Jobs' of the world because they aren't winning anything for us.

I don't get begrudging the players.

I get begrudging Cal. Because Cal runs this operation like a semi-pro team. I mean, we all know that at this point.

It works...but it doesn't work as well as Jay Wright's system, or probably even Duke's system. It's close but there are flaws.

But more than that, I can understanding some fans' feeling that Cal is more about making the players rich than making us happy. That's a hard pill to swallow sometimes because we were here before these players were alive, and we'll be here long after they're gone.

BUT as far as the players themselves...no, I don't get bashing them. I would've done the same thing myself were I in school. I would recommend that my own kids do it if they had the chance. I don't understand animosity toward the players at all. Never has made any sense to me.

The thing UK fans do where they allege that players aren't playing hard because they just want to get to the NBA is really, really dumb. The dumbest. But the thing fans do where they criticize Cal for running this like a quasi-pro team is totally understandable.

[Dwight Schrute]

It's not just our fans, though. Feels like you hear a lot of people complain that the players are only in it for the money, that they don't appreciate the education, etc. That's baloney. None of us would've gone to college if there were a way to well paying jobs otherwise. Unless you're a Ph D, chances are you aren't into education for education's sake.

[teamchemistry15]

Knox officially gone. He said he was going home to make a decision, yet the video is him in the practice facility. That doesn't add up, but best of luck to him!

[CatfaninTN]

Don't mean to politicize this whole discussion, but professional sports is truly one of the most capitalistic businesses that exist. You are hired truly on merit - no mention ever on a quota system. Regardless of the game, you've essentially trained your entire life for the job. Nobody just gave it to you - you earned it.

It does bother me that we cannot follow these guys four years as it was when I was young, but again, this is capitalism at its finest. If these guys are ready and the demand is there for them, they need to go.

This whole nature of professional sports is the reason I get so upset with Professional athletes and the National Anthem ordeal.....but then, that's another topic that has hopefully died down.

[Pobilly]

KNOX HE GONE!

[85 Fly]

Just read Kentucky Wildcats 247Sports article about Knox declaring with agent and the writer brought to attention there are so many guys entering the draft this year that those who were on the "fence" skill wise could really drop in the draft; if they came back and went out 2019 much weaker class and their stock/draft pick (assuming they improve their game) would be better.

[GOCAT15]

I don’t know why we get our hopes up every year with these kids. I for one just would really like to know how hard of a decision it really was because it seems like 95% of the time they always choose to leave. Just to make it clear, I have no issue whatsoever about a lottery pick making the jump, but when you get out of that guaranteed range it’s hard for me to fathom passing up a free education.

[Dwight Schrute]

I can't blame him, but it would be nice to hang on to a kid. Oh well.

[Matt Dillon]

I don’t know why we get our hopes up every year with these kids. I for one just would really like to know how hard of a decision it really was because it seems like 95% of the time they always choose to leave. Just to make it clear, I have no issue whatsoever about a lottery pick making the jump, but when you get out of that guaranteed range it’s hard for me to fathom passing up a free education.

Most of these kids aren't here for an education. That's why it's not hard for them to pass it up.

[Pobilly]

Would say we hear SGA next and then HAMI. Then hopefully we add 1 big and Hagens and roll the balls out and see what happens. Hope we keep the other guys.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Best of luck to you Kevin Knox.....you are living the dream

[KevinHall]

Very sad. Next year is going to be a whole lot like this past season. There will be good moments like the WVU and UL games. But in the end they will go out between the 2nd and 4th round because they will have little experience. This is the way its going to be while Cal is here. I guess we can now say Cal isn't a good recruiter of keeping these guys at UK. His pitch to Knox failed miserably. But I think Knox and is dad knew he was going all along. They just wanted one last gasp of attention from UK fans. He got it and now he's gone. Now we move on to watch a new batch for one year and then have a great day at the draft.

[40bill]

We go to college to get a good job. Make good money.

Kevin will have a real good job and make real good money.

When he is done, he can go to college, if he so wishes, anywhere in the world. He can live well, as can his family.


For some reason, we have a lot of trouble wrapping our head around this. Folks like me especially.

The kid is gonna live the dream. God bless him and good luck.