Catch them while their young!

[admin]

This story came from somewhere in Chicago or chi town for short. Depaul has landed a recruit who hasn't even received his temperate license. Cully Payne, a 5'10 guard from St. Charles, IL, announced that he will play his college ball at DePaul University. Payne will be a rising freshman next season at Burlington Central High School in Illinois. Talk about transitions, this kid steps into a high school as a freshman knowing hes already set for college. All he has to do is maintain grades and hopefully grow. Heres the link.

ilprepbullseye.com/page32.html

Next thing you know we will have Nike's Elementary school classic!

[Pantherholic]

seems like what Pearl did w/ the younger passley

[PantherLou]

How does it benefit this kid to commit to a college already? What if he decides he wants to leave Chicago? What if DePaul is horrible in 4 years? What if he doesn't like the coaching staff in place at that time? Lots of "what ifs".

Seems like this kid got some really bad advice. Let him grow up a bit before making a decision.

[admin]

I would agree Lou that there are many disadvantages to committing yourself to one school and one area at that young of an age. But in this world were college students only see college as a 2-3 year plan. Maybe Cully wants the full benefits of college before the nba. Instead of using college as a stepping stone to the nba.This situation is unusually refreshing. Refreshing because this player must really want to play at Depual or in college in general. Unusual because he is in 8th grade. Don't get me wrong, i have no problem with players who go to the NBA first. however, i am horribly bias toward college ball. Any player who wants to make that long of a commitment to a school is OK with me.

I think this type of recruiting shapes how coaches and the media look at players. If you review the article it keeps saying Cully is going to be a top prospect in 2009. Now, he may be able to hit a jumper now but that doesn't mean he will be able to keep up with the game as it changes over 4 years. Additionally, i wouldn't doubt that this puts allot of pressure on this recruit to the best. Or to be a savior. Something not all basketball players can do. When players are called the best or the best perspective the media tends to be more critical. A good example of this is the Fab Five. Five freshman earned starting positions and sports writers said they were overrated because they couldn't win a NCAA Championship.

Another issue that worries me about this is players being told they are a great player an he is brought in to be PTP (prime time player) Just because Cully was committed when he was in 8th grade does not guarantee minutes. Coaches could end up getting too many great players. A game is only 40 minutes how could you keep so many good recruits happy. Essentially every team needs players on the bench and players on the floor. It just seems like Cully is either going to get stockpiled among other great recruits or wont fully develop into a great college player.

I do worry about coaches recruiting 8th graders. Whats next? Anyways, thats my two cents on this Monday afternoon. Man were did summerfest go?