Silvio is cleared!



  • JayHawkFanToo said:

    Lightfoot might be better off playing as a stretch PF rather than a close to the basket one. He is shooting 50% from the 3, best on the team; a little stat that gets overlooked.

    On 8 attempts.



  • @BShark

    Better than 2 attempts, right? His 3 point shooting average last year was 66.7%. šŸ˜„



  • @HighEliteMajor DeSousa did not finish classes until Wednesday. Because his original plan wasnā€™t to graduate early, heā€™s having to try and speed up the process of going through the Eligibility Center instead of the normal timeframe for a basketball player which is finding out in the spring about their eligibility. The NCAA needed his complete transcript from IMG and Wednesday is the earliest they couldā€™ve gotten that because thatā€™s when IMGā€™s fall semester ended.

    As for Lightfoot, heā€™ll never be a natural low post player, thatā€™s just not what his game is. Heā€™s a poor manā€™s Perry Ellis on offense and a better version of Perry on defense. He needs to be a face up player on the perimeter to showcase the offensive skills he does have. His long term value to Kansas basketball is never going to on offense though, it will always be on defense being a nuisance defender amd blocking shots.



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 @BShark Did you know that a high school can submit a six-semester transcript? Thus the issues that may arise with prior places of education (such as overseas) can be addressed before the final yearā€™s transcript is submitted. That is what I was referring to. If there are ā€œissuesā€, this stuff should have already been submitted. I recall reviewing that when the Diallo deal was full tilt.

    One note on Lightfoot, his blocked shots are much like Traylorā€™s. Most are when he would come in as a second defender. I know no one has called him a rim protector or anything like that, just point out the difference in the blocks ā€“ compared to Mickelson, or Withey, etc.

    And really, we donā€™t know what his three point ability might develop to be. He could end up being an excellent three point shooter on high attempts. Most stretch 4s get squared up looks (much like Ellis got). I have just thought his best opportunity to be a major contributor was years 4 and 5. Good guy to have on the roster long term, and obviously a necessity this season.



  • JayHawkFanToo said:

    @BShark

    Better than 2 attempts, right? His 3 point shooting average last year was 66.7%. šŸ˜„

    Ha.

    It can definitely be a part of his game going forward. If he can become a reliable jump shooter his JR/SR year that will really help him get minutes. I still think him redshirting next year would be best if he would be the 5th or 6th post player.



  • KUSTEVE said:

    @BShark Mitch is having to play out of position, and is simply not ready for meaningful minutes. He made mistake after mistake in the Stanford game. I would like to see the team get to the point where Mitch is playing a few minutes at the end of games. Heā€™s going to definitely get better, but heā€™s simply overmatched backing up Doke.

    seems to me that everyone on the team has made mistake after mistake at one point or another this season. - BUT having said that does the Name TJ Pugh ring a bell?- -I love Mitch, like someone said . - plays with a lot of determination BUT poor ol Mitch, just DOES NOT have the body build to battle against quality bigā€™s at this point. Next year it would really be in his best interest to sit a year and give himself 100 % to Hudy. - I feel with some bulk Mitch in his final two years can be a really solid reserve for us and help the team for sure.

    At this point this is just TJ Pugh II - in a Mitch Lightfoot body. - -ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • HighEliteMajor said:

    @Texas-Hawk-10 @BShark Did you know that a high school can submit a six-semester transcript? Thus the issues that may arise with prior places of education (such as overseas) can be addressed before the final yearā€™s transcript is submitted. That is what I was referring to. If there are ā€œissuesā€, this stuff should have already been submitted. I recall reviewing that when the Diallo deal was full tilt.

    One note on Lightfoot, his blocked shots are much like Traylorā€™s. Most are when he would come in as a second defender. I know no one has called him a rim protector or anything like that, just point out the difference in the blocks ā€“ compared to Mickelson, or Withey, etc.

    And really, we donā€™t know what his three point ability might develop to be. He could end up being an excellent three point shooter on high attempts. Most stretch 4s get squared up looks (much like Ellis got). I have just thought his best opportunity to be a major contributor was years 4 and 5. Good guy to have on the roster long term, and obviously a necessity this season.

    Thankfully this isnā€™t like the Diallo situation. De Sousa went to a real school here. The Diallo situation was a hot mess and we knew that going in. Have not read the same kind of things about Silvio.

    As for Lightfoot, I strongly agree. Great kid to have around and could really contribute to a good team year 4/5.



  • @HighEliteMajor I think the appeal comment was more a reference to those test scores that have recently been obtained. The NCAA looks for test scores that are commensurate with a studentā€™s prior academic achievement, and wonā€™t grant eligibility if a studentā€™s test scores are way out of line (high or low). Whether there is a minimum acceptable score is not at issue in this level of review, unlike school acceptance cut-offs.

    Since our new player is also submitting to scrutiny of his foreign classes, there may be heightened scrutiny of how his test scores correlate to his transcripts. I think Self was just trying to anticipate potential roadblocks that schools have seen come up with foreign players where the NCAA does not have lots of similar students and schools against which to compare, not suggesting there were unaddressed problems.

    Unlike fall enrollees, there has not been the normal amount of time for all of this to have been submitted since this possibility really only started being seriously discussed mid-semester with test scores still being awaited. There is absolutely no reason to think the staff has not done everything it could in as expeditious a fashion as possible.



  • @HighEliteMajor Perfect summation. Lightfoot, to me, is a 3/4 tweener, & still developing. Outta position at the 5, agree. But at least heā€™s an athlete, compared to our 1 big last year.

    Mitch Lightfoot attempting to 1-hand tomahawk jam on top of people told me all I need to know about himā€¦let him develop. Thereā€™s all sorts of ā€œ6ā€™8ā€, just like thereā€™s various 6ā€™4: Brady vs Malik vs EJ vs Langfordā€¦



  • @Texas-Hawk-10 But dont you think Jr/Sr version of Lightfoot could be like those 6ā€™8 Wisc guys of recent seasons? I keep hoping that would be his ballpark ceilingā€¦



  • The thing not to forget about Mitch, he is a dedicated Jayhawk, to the core; and will do what is necessary to improve his contributions to winning games. I really hope he earns the opportunity to become a 5th year player, and canā€™t imagine why he wonā€™t. His attitude and determination appear to be right up there with our best.



  • Best tidbit I heard from TV announcers during Stanford game was that Self was really getting after Billy Preston in practiceā€¦now just how excited should I be to hear Self is trying have him as ready as possibleā€¦?



  • @SkinnyKansas Appreciate your optimism, but you do know how the NCAA has handled many of the past players, especially past KU players. I wonā€™t list them, but if you insist on ā€œdowners,ā€ then you either have a really short memory, or youā€™re really super optimistic. I prefer to think you have more optimism in an organization that has a very poor record of handling players.

    However, I do hope your optimism is truly realistic because it will only be in KUā€™s favor. So, all we know is that Silvio is ā€˜clearedā€™ to join, and at best practice, until completely ā€˜clearedā€™ by the NCAA from his amateurism. So, if you think being a ā€˜downerā€™ is waiting until he is in uniform and playing in his first game, then Iā€™m a ā€˜downer.ā€™



  • @chriz I hope just a quick ā€˜in-formality.ā€™ I hope itā€™s opened and closed. I hope they clear a young man who has worked hard to earn the right to play in college.



  • I hope everyone realizes he signed with KU. He has always been welcomed. I prefer to congratulate him on playing in his first KU game, and WIN.



  • @truehawk93 Ya for sake of Billy I hope itā€™s close, if not he could waste all year sitting. I bet Self thinks he gonna get cleared or he wouldnā€™t be on him so bad in practice. If wasnā€™t gonna get cleared he could hire an agent and start working towards the NBA or go overseas to play til the draft.



  • @truehawk93 Iā€™m very optimistic bud šŸ˜‰



  • @Ralster Good to see you back again!



  • @kjayhawks

    My guess is that if he is not cleared by the first day of Spring classes, January 16, he will pack his car and leave. I just donā€™t see him sitting the entire season.



  • @JayHawkFanToo You think he just declares for the draft then? He can do that it seems given age and when his normal class would have graduated.

    @Ralster I think if Lightfoot matures, adds a little man strength, hones some skills, thereā€™s no reason why he couldnā€™t be a significant player. The skills ceiling is something thatā€™s very hard to read. I just donā€™t know where that sits.



  • @HighEliteMajor

    By the start of the Spring season 18 games would have been played with only 13 left not counting post-season and if he has nor been cleared by then the chances only get smaller. Preston is already 20 and he would likely be a 1st round pick based on his HS play and potential.



  • Just personal thinking, believe pretty safe bet Billy wonā€™t be on board for Texas so thinking maybe Iā€™m thinking probably would be the week after Jan 6th might be his 1st game against Texas Tech , I just wish as Iā€™m sure he does to that there could just be some closure and move on one way or the other. - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @JayHawkFanToo In the same damned car he cannot drive straight?



  • @mayjay

    At that point, does it really matter? If he gets an agent he can probably get a chauffeur.





  • @KUSTEVE Alas, IMG lost 73-71 to Oak Hill in the championship of the Chik-fil-A Classic on Saturday.

    But Devin Dotson was named MVP of the other Division tournament (they had two) as he led his team to the title: http://chick-fil-aclassic.com/2017/12/23/chargers-outlast-gray-collegiate/



  • Iā€™m still into this season, but next seasonā€™s roster is pretty interesting. Somehow, someway, we need to make sure Doke is back.



  • Are we still in on Romeo and Zion? Whatā€™s our ceiling without one of them?



  • If silvio plays for us this half year would he be eligible to declare for draft?



  • KU, up by 1 with 12 seconds remaining on the game clock and the other team has the ballā€¦ maybe Mitch would be the perfect defender at the 3?

    I can see several scenarios involving Mitch on the court, even if we have Silvio and Billy.



  • approxinfinity said:

    If silvio plays for us this half year would he be eligible to declare for draft?

    He will be draft eligible but the plan isnā€™t for him to go.



  • This afternoon, Self stated Silvio wonā€™t practice until tomorrow and likely wonā€™t play before the first weekend in January. That means he misses UT on the road and Tx Tech at home. Itā€™s possible KU is 1-1 by the time he sees the court, although beating UT on the road and Tech (at home) is a distinct possibility. He would be available for TCU on the road. #FREEBILLY!



  • @Gorilla72

    Yep. I really donā€™t mind not pushing Silvio out there too fast.

    Weā€™ve typically played pretty competitive basketball in Austin. Doke will be tested, big time. Heā€™ll have two quality bigs to deal with.

    We need to win in Austin with our guard play. We should dominate guard play and it shouldnā€™t come down to outplaying UT in the post.

    We have plenty of time to prepare for Austin and we typically start Big 12 play with a winning streak.

    Iā€™m trying to look at this from a glass half full. If we win our games before bringing in Silvioā€¦ GREAT! We will be using our typical formula for winning the Big 12. If we lose in Austin, we will be under the gun and might even improve faster because of the motivation. No KU team wants to be the team that loses our conference streak!



  • @BShark

    I believe his graduating class has to be one year removed which will not be the case for Silvio.



  • I know this is a De Sousa thread but guys plain and simple - - it really is looking a lot more like we will never see Billy on the floor this year playing period. - -Iā€™m sorry Iā€™m trying Iā€™ve really tried but I just donā€™t seeing it happening. - -What a waste of talent, I also just have a hard time believing this is all about a car - I just feel there has to be something else, I really donā€™t like coming across negative but just got to be - -got to be something - -doesnā€™t take this long over a fricken car sorry. - -I just donā€™t really see Billy ever stepping on the floor again to play a game as a KU Jayhawk - ā€“ ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • @JayHawkFanToo @BShark Hereā€™s the rule. The question is whether graduating during the middle of an nba season counts.

    (i) The player (A) is or will be at least nineteen (19) years of age during the calendar year in which the Draft is held, and (B) with respect to a player who is not an international player (defined below), at least one (1) NBA Season has elapsed since the playerā€™s graduation from high school (or, if the player did not graduate from high school, since the graduation of the class with which the player would have graduated had he graduated from high school)



  • No Silvio for Texas. Self says hopefully within a week, but I presume heā€™s just saying that to put a bit of pressure on the NCAA.



  • chriz said:

    No Silvio for Texas. Self says hopefully within a week, but I presume heā€™s just saying that to put a bit of pressure on the NCAA.

    ya like I put on here earlier probably the 2nd week in January more looking like the Iowa State game probably - - ROCK CHALK ALL DAY LONG BABY



  • Pretty hard to believe weā€™re going to put a championship team together in January.



  • @HighEliteMajor

    I believe the rule is pretty clear, one season is just that, one season; not one half season but ONE season from beginning to end.



  • @JayHawkFanToo Ok, attacking it a different way. Silvioā€™s birthday is Oct. 7. He turned 19 on October 7. He had not graduated from high school on October 7. The NBA season started on Oct. 17. That means, per the rule (arguably) that he would have been eligible for the NBA draft once the NBA season concluded. It could be argued that his normal class was when he was 18 (graduating in May of 2017). Of course, this a prospective eligibility argument. But thatā€™s how it happens anyway because folks apply for the draft before the NBA season concludes anyway. I get that he has actually now graduated. But thatā€™s what legal arguments are about. And I know it says ā€œone season.ā€ I do see that. But, again, thatā€™s what legal arguments are about. I checked. Some NBA teams have played less than 40% of the season so far. The rule doesnā€™t say one ā€œFULLā€ NBA season.

    My point is until we here something definitive, Iā€™d say thereā€™s wiggle room there.



  • @HighEliteMajor

    Technically his class will not graduate until the end of the spring. He happened to graduate early because in his native country school start at the beginning of the calendar year and ends towards the end.

    It could be argued that his normal class was when he was 18 (graduating in May of 2017).

    There is no age that I know that dictates when a student graduating class is. It is when he completes the required course work to graduate, normally a period of 4 years of HS. Many student graduate at 17 or even younger (Svi, Doke) and have to wait 2 years in college until they turn 19, even when his graduating class is one year old or older. Others graduate when they are well over 19 and the age requirement no longer applies only the one year class wait.

    Here, school runs someway parallel to the NBA season so the end of the school year is before the start of the NBA season and the end of the school years is close to the end of the NBA season so the one year wait is normally not an issue.

    If the NBA allows him to apply for the draft with less than a full season wait, we might see lots of top older prospects suddenly start graduating early and having to go to college for only half a useless season; I donā€™t believe schools would go for that. If KU thought he would be going to the NBA at the end of the season, I am sure they would not waste the time and effort since it would make a further mockery of the system that is almost there anyway with the OADs.



  • Iā€™d be surprised if Silvio is good enough to OAD. He originally signed for next season, so I highly doubt he plans to bolt so soon. I believe Thon Maker went pro after playing for a prep school for a year. Did Silvio go to prep school or just a couple different high schools? If no prep-school he hasnā€™t graduated early enough to go to the NBA draft this season anyway.



  • @dylans

    Thon Maker went to a Canadian Prep School for a ā€œfifthā€ year, so his class had technically already graduated and he was old enough and I indicated at the time that it was likely that he would jump to the NBA, which he did. Not quite the same situation with Silvio whose class will technically graduate at the end of the school year (May-June).


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