Originally Posted by
ChillinDuke
I'm sure we had discussed this in a previous thread (maybe even this thread), but Towns played on the Dominican Republic National Team (in Olympic qualifying) which was coached by John Calipari.
I don't mean to insinuate that this was any kind of recruiting violation. In fact, I'm sure it wasn't given the very public nature of it. But on the surface it certainly seems like an unfair recruiting advantage. And yes, I would argue there is a very distinct difference between Coach K's Olympic interactions and Calipari's in this instance - mainly, because the head coach at the University of Kentucky coached a high school kid who was interested in his own school. Almost certainly, this had to be with intent of directing Towns to UK. At least to some degree.
Not sayin'. Just sayin'...
- Chillin
PS - To clarify what I'm thinking, can a college coach spend his summers coaching high school AAU games? Then just return to his college? How is it not improper contact?
I have to completely disagree with you. IMO, while I don't think that Coach K's presence with Team USA violates anything, it does give Coach K an advantage in recruiting. Everyone on this forum thinks so (how can a picture with 12 gold medals around your neck surrounded by Lebron, Kobe, and Dwayne not help you recruit?).
Dominican Republic isn't a basketball powerhouse. If they can get a solid coach with a great name, like Calipari, then good for them! They need the press and Calipari wants to expand his profile. And if Calipari builds tight connections with a high school who happens to be the best big man in the country? Than so be it. Now, if Calipari coached Team USA and had Julius Randle, Tyus Jones, and Jahill Okafor in his line-up, then yes, that would be a complete violation and a snake-like move. But DR isn't Team USA.
I don't like Calipari, but he is doing everything right on the recruiting end (as long as he's playing within the rules). If the NBA / NCAA allows one-and-dones, then why not use that strategy. In the business world, that is one hell of a strategy.
Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things. - Winston Churchill
President of the "Nolan Smith Should Have His Jersey in The Rafters" Club