I must say, I am disappointed that Perkins is not going to UT. Odd that his high school coach says that he would not have fit into the program. James Thomas and Brian Boddicker would have been in their senior years. He would probably start over Klotz. He could have played with the best PG in all college basketball. How would the situation be better in Memphis? There'll be no Dejuan Wagner. No Qyntel Woods. No Amare Stoudamire. From Austin American Statesman (8/6/02) If he attends college, Beaumont Ozen's Kendrick Perkins will play basketball for the University of Memphis. But Ozen Coach Andre Boutte conceded Monday that might be a big if. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound Perkins, a top-five national prospect dubbed "Baby Shaq," picked Coach John Calipari's Tigers over several finalists, including the University of Texas and Texas A&M. But Boutte said going directly from high school to the NBA remains an option for Perkins, who averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds as a junior. "If he goes to school, it's going to be Memphis," Boutte said. "But the NBA situation won't (be resolved) until next spring. It's pretty much just a waiting process until then." Boutte, who said Perkins would not speak publicly about his decision until the national signing period begins in early November, noted his star center agonized over his choice. Perkins also considered Miami and Alabama. "He swayed back and forth last week," Boutte said. "We were impressed with Texas, but I just didn't feel it was a good fit for the kid right now. If we were planning on four years of college, it would have been a great fit." Calipari, entering his third year with the Tigers, has a history of coaching players who leave early for the NBA. Perkins is his third top-five prospect at Memphis. Guard Dajuan Wagner spent one season with the Tigers before leaving -- he was taken by Cleveland with the sixth pick of this year's draft. Forward Amare Stoudemire committed to Memphis but went straight to the NBA and was the 2002 draft's No. 9 pick, by Phoenix. Under NCAA rules, college coaches are not permitted to discuss recruits until after they sign a national letter of intent. http://www.austin360.com/statesman/editions/today/sports_9.html
I wouldn't worry too much - Perkins will probably end up in the NBA before he even dons the Memphis jersey. At the very least, he'll be out of there fairly quickly, if only because he's nearly guaranteed to be a high lottery pick right out of high school or even after 1 year in college. Not to mention that Memphis seems to be the trendy pick of players who really don't want to go to college or stay there very long. But, for Calipari, it's worth the effort if he can keep any of them. There was an article not too long ago about how most teams give up on players when it looks like they won't stick around very long - but not Memphis. They've just had a lot of bad luck in that those players end up too talented (in their minds) for college and head straight to the pros anyway.
Even though Perkins may go straight to the pros, he is NOT ready at ALL. I saw him play in the Academy Tournament over the Christmas break. He went up against this 7'2" guy from Rice HS in New York. This guy weighed about 215 pounds dripping wet and Perkins couldnt do much against him and his team got blown out. I wish him the best but I do hope he spends at least 1 year in college so that he can adjust his game to better competition.
I went to that same tourney, but a day after you. I saw Perkins against Male HS from Louisville, and Perkins was a non-factor because the game was fast paced. Perkins was always the last guy back on offense and defense. I was not impressed at all. The best player in the state, and maybe in the nation (After LeBron of course) is Ndudi Ebi. Think Nowitzki with defense. Or, I guess think KG.
Kendrick can go to hell if he does play for Memphis. If he had signed with us (Texas) we would have had to have been the favorite next year in the ncaa. We are a preseason #4 this year and we will return the entire team season after this one. I am counting on Ebi and a friend of mine has said that Lyle Dean also would be enough, but addind Kendrick would have been the ****e.
Don't worry. He'll go pro since next year's draft class is so weak. Just another guy who dissed Calipari for the pros like DaJuan Wagner, Amare Stoudarmire, and Qyntel Woods.
Sorry to burst Texas bubble but PrepStars has an article that has Kendrick Perkins coach saying he picked TEXAS A&M but then 2 days later he changed to Memphis... Believe me I was shocked when I heard that... Not the only time thats happened... Alton Ford did the same thing...
I would to see more talented players playing for UT but it's much better going to college and learning how to play the game correctly instead of coming straight out of high school. Perkins needs to stay at least two years in college before coming out into the NBA.
Memphis sucks and always will suck, don't worry he will go pro. No doubt. He would have gone pro if he commited to UT.
