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 Reminder: Verbal Commitments Don't Mean A Thing - May 05, 2008
posted by: Josh
An eighth grader from California has decided where he's going to play his college basketball - the University of Kentucky. That's right, a 13-year-old who hasn't even figured out where he's going to high school next year has given his verbal commitment to Billy Gillispie and the Wildcats. This isn't the first time an eighth grader has announced where he will attend college, but each time it happens, I am stupefied by a number of things. Let's use today's top post to run down the list of stupefaction. • How can an eighth grader possibly know what college campus and athletics program is the best fit? Wouldn't it be wise to wait and see if there are other schools that have better academic tracks for this particular prospective student-athlete? • When I was 13, my dream job was still professional baseball player. Three years later, the goal had changed significantly. That doesn't mean kids shouldn't hold on to their reach dreams for as long as possible, but professional sports are just that - a reach. • Because this has been picked up by major media, the 13-year-old's name is all over the news. We're not using his name for a reason. • We published our "Are There Really Recruiting Rankings For Sixth Graders" post on August 22. That post has garnered more comments that most we've had, which means that this is a hot topic and will continue to be a hot topic as more kids continue to "commit" before high school begins. • This prospective student-athlete would enroll at Kentucky in 2012. In today's changing landscape, will Gillispie still be in Lexington? • What if Kentucky brings in three kids at this kid's position two years before he gets to Lexington and there's no immediate need for his services? Forget the scholarship. • If this kid goes out and averages six points and three assists during his first three years of high school, there is no way Gillispie uses a scholarship on him. Those are just a few things floating around my head at this point, but the truth is, verbal commitments mean nothing. Some people argue that they take pressure off the kids in the recruiting process, but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me (see Eric Gordon rescinding his commitment to Illinois to go to Indiana). Nothing is in stone until a written offer is made and signed. Until then, eighth graders should just be eighth graders. 
CommentsI agree. The fact that colleges are enticing these kids in this way is ridiculous. I don't think it is the best interest for the student athlete. I have two students one in DII and one in DII. We always stress academics first and then athletics. Maybe this young man will be the next Michael Jordan but if they do not make the proper plan up front they won't make it to the end game. I don't think that coaches should be able to commit verbally or otherwise. Something else to consider, what if the kid doesn't qualify academically for college? This is also a terrific example of the pressures faced by talented kids. If they can commit when they're young to play for a top program, perhaps his high school coach will be more likely to give him playing time. Also, what happens if this kid is a flop in high school? In a parent's mind, does this type of commitment offer some verbal insurance policy? Still, what's really sad about this type of situation is the fact that kids who spend so much time and energy devoted to a single-minded goal will end up with a lopsided future. Without proper guidance from a young age and parental leadership, I fear that this kid will never see life beyond the lights of the basketball arena. I used to think that this was highly unethical, but now I'm leaning the other way. If our country can recruit and cultivate young minds in math, science, and other fields, why is it a shame for athletics? When was the last time Harvard told a 13-year-old kid that he was a lock to attend the school? Would an institution of higher learning agree to admission before high school classes were attended? Get rid of this "verbal" nonsense and have the kid sign a Letter of Intent at the time he makes a commitment to attend a particular university - no matter the kid's age or grade in school. I doubt that many coaches would want to tie up a scholarship on a 13 year-old kid! Well, now that you mention it, there are an 11 and a 13 year old at Harvard. I doubt this kid will be a total flop in high school. This kid probably can play at that level now. They would not offer on the hopes he could develop in time. The only thing that could happen is that he could level out and just be a decent player but flop I doubt it. I still remember watching a show that used to be on ESPN called Scholastic Sports America and saw a special on Jason Kidd at 13. Trust me it was easy to tell he had that talent. I bet Lebron James was still punishing kids at the age of 13. These offers are not going to the average 8th grader. I watch 14 year olds all the time when recruiting and it is easy to tell the elite. I would agree that it still doesn't hold up until they sign but one just hopes that all parties will hold up their end of the deal. Post a Comment |
  
Doesn't an APR of 925, which equals roughly a 60 percent GSR, seem a bit low? Are plans in place to raise the APR cut-off from 925 in future years?
- Sam
   
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