Bamba picks....TEXAS?!?!?!

[lilproUK98]

WOW.

Would love to know his reasoning.....

https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels/status/865221101630234625

[lilproUK98]

Shaka stole one here...

Here is his whole story on his decision......

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/mohamed-bamba-college-announcement/

"Coach Smart may not have been aware of it, but I put him through a weeklong job interview last summer when he coached me on Team USA in Valdivia, Chile. We instantly formed a bond. Now, the tables have turned, and I’m the one interviewing with him, hoping to show I can play a major role in his team’s success next season. His attention to detail is truly unbelievable — I can’t tell you how many times he picked up on something I mentioned in passing and brought it back full circle several months later. I’ve seen firsthand how much he genuinely cares about me and my family and how he’s going to challenge me to be in a state of continuous improvement."

[Spiritof96]

It didn't hurt Kevin Durant.

If he isn't coming to KY it's good he went there as he will be a non-factor just like Simmons.

[lilproUK98]

"Everybody’s recruiting process is unique in some way, and mine was no different. Watching my family grow and solidify its bond was by far my favorite part of the experience. The world is bigger than 94 by 50 feet, and we all agreed that Texas offers me an exceptional opportunity to blaze my own trail on the basketball front with the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens, I’ve got an unrivaled support network to lean on for whenever the ball stops bouncing.

You can’t put a price on that, but you can tie a lasso around it."

[lilproUK98]

It didn't hurt Kevin Durant.

If he isn't coming to KY it's good he went there as he will be a non-factor just like Simmons.

Exactly. Have fun with that weather and the McCombs school of Business...

[George]

It didn't hurt Kevin Durant.

If he isn't coming to KY it's good he went there as he will be a non-factor just like Simmons.

No, but it'll hurt us. We really needed Bamba if we hoped to be a serious threat next season. I'm afraid we're going to be too young and too raw to make much noise - especially if Diallo doesn't return.

[George]

Exactly. Have fun with that weather and the McCombs school of Business...

Can't fault anyone for choosing to live in Austin. That's an awesome city.

[lilproUK98]

Matt Jones just said that when De'Aaron Fox was in studio for interview and they asked if he thinks UK gets Bamba....he emphatically said NOPE!

So, Fox knew....

[lilproUK98]

Can't fault anyone for choosing to live in Austin. That's an awesome city.

It is, but he'll "live" there for 9 months max....

[lilproUK98]

No, but it'll hurt us. We really needed Bamba if we hoped to be a serious threat next season. I'm afraid we're going to be too young and too raw to make much noise - especially if Diallo doesn't return.

I disagree. It's impossible to predict....

SKJ just tweeted out "keep sleeping on me, I love it"..... Also, many UK reporters have said SKJ was really coming on in practice, to the point Cal was calling him out in practice saying "If you would have done this all year you'd be starting!"

So, if he continues that progress, we will be fine and definitely a strong threat. Before last season people who watched practice were saying SKJ looked like the best player on the team. SO....I'm teamSKJ now...let's hope he has turned the corner. Richards is a big athletic dude as well. I feel fine and am excited about next year's team.....

Bamba would have been amazing to have....probably make UK the favorite, or at least co-favorite.....now, we're still Top 10 with lot's of weapons and potential. Fine with me!

[Joneslab]

Huge disappointment.

Shaka coached Bamba so there was probably a tight connection there. Obviously tighter than we knew.

Think there will be a lot of smallball next year where Cal tries to sort of replicate what NBA teams are doing.

[lilproUK98]

Huge disappointment.

Shaka coached Bamba so there was probably a tight connection there. Obviously tighter than we knew.

Think there will be a lot of smallball next year where Cal tries to sort of replicate what NBA teams are doing.

He said that in his article....

Green, a 2G to be named later (Diallo or Johnson), and Knox, Vanderbilt, Washington is a killer versatile line-up....

But, I get the feeling SKJ will be a major surprise to many.

[George]

I disagree. It's impossible to predict....

SKJ just tweeted out "keep sleeping on me, I love it"..... Also, many UK reporters have said SKJ was really coming on in practice, to the point Cal was calling him out in practice saying "If you would have done this all year you'd be starting!"

So, if he continues that progress, we will be fine and definitely a strong threat. Before last season people who watched practice were saying SKJ looked like the best player on the team. SO....I'm teamSKJ now...let's hope he has turned the corner. Richards is a big athletic dude as well. I feel fine and am excited about next year's team.....

Bamba would have been amazing to have....probably make UK the favorite, or at least co-favorite.....now, we're still Top 10 with lot's of weapons and potential. Fine with me!

I'll be glad to be wrong, but I think you're overestimating some of our incoming players. This is about as raw a group as Cal's ever had. I think it's much more likely that we're in for a pretty bumpy ride to March.

[Joneslab]

If Diallo goes I don't think it's a team that can compete for an SEC title.

If Diallo comes and SKJ and Gabriel improve significantly, and if Green is more ready to contribute than I think, it might be a team that can get it together late to make a run, a la 2010-'11. But on paper looking at it now it's an extremely young, extremely uneven team. With not a single bona fide outside shooter.

[lilproUK98]

If Diallo goes I don't think it's a team that can compete for an SEC title.

If Diallo comes and SKJ and Gabriel improve significantly, and if Green is more ready to contribute than I think, it might be a team that can get it together late to make a run, a la 2010-'11. But on paper looking at it now it's an extremely young, extremely uneven team. With not a single bona fide outside shooter.

Well. We'll see.