My apologies if this has already been covered previously in this thread. I just saw where Allerik Freeman has changed high schools for what I believe is the third time. I remember in the Gbinije thread, where a stat was thrown out that if any kid transfers multiple times in HS, then its a near certainty that he'll do the same in college. Does anyone remember this? If that's indeed the case, would Duke be wise to steer clear of Freeman at this point? Looking forward to your thoughts on this.
While I can't say anything specific about Findlay Prep (never knew that much about it before reading the article above), I have had the personal experience of attending a sport-centric high school and I would suggest people hold off judgment. Schools like that have been created to address a very specific (and little-known) problem: athlete drop-out rates. It's a serious issue for elite, national-level athletes. I don't want to spout off about it here, but I will say that I would never have been able to graduate and go to Duke while also competing in my sport, had it not been for my high school. Like at any school, some students will take their schoolwork more seriously than others. But personally, I wouldn't be surprised at all if graduates from Findlay Prep outperformed a good chunk of our nation's public school students.
Actually, it's a little lower. But also, that's their college GPA.
I'm just saying, the time commitment these kids put in is unimaginable. A lot of academics look down their noses at these athletes, without ever knowing the true meaning of effort. I was a student-athlete in high school, and I was a full-time student in college. I can honestly say that I'm much prouder of (and worked much harder for) my 3.0 in highschool than my 3.7 at Duke.Prep alumni currently in college have a combined 2.3 GPA
- my 2 cents
You are obviously right--being a serious athlete and a student at the same time is never easy, and no one should look down their noses at student athletes, though I think you are also right that many academics do, and do resent the power and influence of sports at D1 colleges.
On the other hand, there is a difference between a sports-centric high school where an effort is made to accommodate athletes' schedules, etc., to help them do both (which sounds like the type of school you went to) and a school whose sole purpose is to field a basketball team while simultaneously paying lip service to the idea that the players are getting a high school education (and often finding some pretty dodgy ways to do so). I don't know that much about Findlay, but what I have read about some of these "schools" could curl your hair--and once again, the athletes are often being exploited to some extent--they are not really the ones who should be criticized.
As long as the NCAA cooperates with the NBA by running a one-year farm system, there will be at least a few players who need to figure out a way to get into college even though they really don't have the interest or skill set to benefit from a college education. And there will be at least a few schools that help them do so in a cynical, corner-cutting way rather than in a supportive, socially responsible way. And one of the products of this system is the almost always unfair disrespect of student athletes that you describe.
You are absolutely correct, sir. Like I (and you) said, based on the article, I have no idea if Findlay Prep does or does not fall into the category of "corner-cutters," although it certainly is implied. I was only jumping in to point out that there is an entire other category of sport schools: the supportive, socially responsible ones.
To bring it back on topic, I have a feeling that if Duke brings in a recruit from any such school, it will be one from the second category.
Last edited by Jderf; 05-29-2012 at 01:14 PM.
Semi O. will be visiting on Thursday. Has anyone seen him or know much about the young man? Will he get an offer while on campus? LINK
He has an offer now. A strong wing we'd love to have.
Recently.
Great student, strong player, would love to have him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ay16CcGyM4
Versatile, mid-sized wings seems to be the order of the day.
Link is to highlights of Robert Hubbs, 6'6" from TN, who seems to be rising quickly in the rankings.