(05-03-2017 08:26 AM)hktribefan Wrote:  If you want to claim that student athletes are in fact students, you shouldn't have a problem with it. If you finish your studies and want to pursue a graduate education, but the institution where you are doesn't have the right program (or in some cases may not have graduate programs at all), it's logical. I'm very aware of the business of college sports (particularly men's basketball and football), but for the majority of these people who will either not go pro, or not play more than a few years of pro ball, they shouldn't be penalized for wanting to better their education. I'm also a realist and know that many players will cite academics as a reason, when there may be other issues, but I think (or hope) there's some real value gained by some of these people. For Jack, I wish him the best of luck, and thank him for all he did for our program. Kansas is a major research institution with significant resources for students at the graduate level, and maybe had the "right" program for him. Getting to play some basketball and hang out in that new facility they have for the team is not bad either.

Agree on all points except for the fact that the rule that we are debating isnt about pursuing better options elsewhere. It is about not needing to sit out a year. Many of these kids who dont intend to graduate from said grad program would think again about transferring if they had to sit out the extra year. If they truly wanted to pursue the program it would be no big deal, since 1-year grad programs are nearly non-existent...they still get one year of school on athletic scholarship. The article above quotes 30% graduation rate for athletes who pursue a grad transfer...clearly showing the need to keep the 1-year waiting period intact.

Not sure how big a role academics played:

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college...81159.html

(05-03-2017 08:35 AM)nj alum Wrote:  Not sure how big a role academics played:

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college...81159.html

I love Jack and wish him well, but his reasoning of wanting to develop and play as more a "stretch 4" made me chuckle a little bit.

Jack's strength is back to the basket and put backs. facing up, taking some one of the dribble or hitting a 15 footer to 3 pointer is not a strength. I'm sure he is trying to develop his game to try and play in Europe which is good for him.

The ability to have the KU experience, live in that dorm, tell your friends forever you were part of a top 5, top 10 team, compete for a national title, go to Italy this summer is awesome and he should go for it.

I just wish he would have communicated earlier to our team and coaches prior to surprising folks in April with his decision so we could plan for it.

I think graduating with his good friends and how strong Nathan came on are big factors.

Hopefully this works out best for all involved. Go Tribe!

Hopefully Kansas loses to Bucknell in the first round again next year!

(05-03-2017 10:09 AM)Tribester Wrote:  Hopefully Kansas loses to Bucknell in the first round again next year!

Wasn't it Oregon they lost to?

(05-03-2017 08:54 AM)Naptown Tribe Wrote:  

(05-03-2017 08:35 AM)nj alum Wrote:  Not sure how big a role academics played:

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college...81159.html

I love Jack and wish him well, but his reasoning of wanting to develop and play as more a "stretch 4" made me chuckle a little bit.


Hopefully this works out best for all involved. Go Tribe!

It just takes practice to shoot from the outside. Remember that he was hurt for much of the last two years. Even Manute Bol figured out how to become a three point threat. Think about how dangerous Knight is going to be if he is a legit threat from beyond the arc.

(05-03-2017 10:32 AM)TribePride52 Wrote:  

(05-03-2017 10:09 AM)Tribester Wrote:  Hopefully Kansas loses to Bucknell in the first round again next year!

Wasn't it Oregon they lost to?

This tournament, yes. ~10 years ago they were dumped out in the first round by Bucknell.

(05-03-2017 11:32 AM)Rocco Wrote:  

(05-03-2017 10:32 AM)TribePride52 Wrote:  

(05-03-2017 10:09 AM)Tribester Wrote:  Hopefully Kansas loses to Bucknell in the first round again next year!

Wasn't it Oregon they lost to?

This tournament, yes. ~10 years ago they were dumped out in the first round by Bucknell.

Ahhh.

(05-03-2017 08:23 AM)nj alum Wrote:  I have a question.

Did the funding the summer program by other alumni contribute to this player's ability to graduate on time and become a 5th year grad transfer?

The law of unintended consequences.

Haha that was my immediate thought back when Jack surprised everyone with this announcement.

I want to wish Jack well. I hope that Kansas is everything he is hoping it will be for him. Thanks for your time and efforts here.

Jack wasn't good enough to secure a starting job. A mid-year Tribe freshman took it from him but he wants to see what he can do at a major program. Good luck.



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New KU forward Jack Whitman a ‘hidden talent,’ says teammate at William & Mary
http://kuhoops.com/ku-basketball-news/148498394/

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Jack Whitman expects ‘interesting dynamic’ as seventh KU basketball transfer
http://cjonline.com/sports/hawkzone/2017...l-transfer

Sorry, but with the comments in that last article, and no sense of gratitude for the opportunities you were given to get a William and Mary degree, don't let the door hit you on the way out, Jack!

Think you hit the nail on the head, Tribal.
Would venture, also, that the potential for Jack's soft landing at UNC, and finally Kansas, would never have materialized without Tony and staff communication, but you'd never know it.

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It sounds as if our coaching staff was working to help line an opportunity up for Jack. That doesn't sound like animosity.

Also, apparently the coaching staff - or something - did not help Jack reach his full potential.

Oh, well, lets hope it works out best for both of us.

We'll never know what went down that caused all of this, but I doubt if it was because Jack felt he wasn't being pushed hard enough as he says in the article. Kudos to the coaches for helping out a player in his next step of life by meeting with the Kansas assistant. Class is not something that is missing from the coaching staff.

Whitman got a world-class education at W&M for no cost. He had a coaching staff that stayed with him through many injuries...serious, not-so-serious, and, once in a while, imagined.

I have yet to see one word from him thanking his teammates, coaches and the College for his time here.

What is known for a fact is that he never indicated in any way to his coaches and teammates, despite being asked early on about his plans, that he was going to transfer until he walked into the basketball offices a few weeks ago and announced he was leaving.

Whitman had his good moments here at W&M...and showed great improvement this year and would have been an important piece next season as a sub for Nathan Knight, but the program will continue to flourish and I'm certain we'll find his replacement sooner than later.

It's easy to see the frustrations of having your livelihood and success tied to a group of 17-24 year-olds who haven't been knocked around enough by the world yet to get it. My hat is off to the coaches.

(05-04-2017 05:58 AM)BigTribe3 Wrote:  Whitman had his good moments here at W&M...and showed great improvement this year and would have been an important piece next season as a sub for Nathan Knight, but the program will continue to flourish and I'm certain we'll find his replacement sooner than later.

Lot of sour grapes on this thread, but let's not downplay Whitman - he would not have been just "a sub for Nathan Knight" next year and would have been a critical part of the rotation. And we haven't had many players like what he would have been next year. While I'm skeptical he'll be much more than an emergency big for Kansas, this is a massive loss for us that greatly lowers our ceiling next season.

Winners don't need to be pushed.

And, it's not sour grapes. He needs to be grateful.

How about: "I was a big recruit coming out of high school, I suffered a lot of injuries, my coaches and teammates stuck with me, I finally felt healthy, but a true freshman outplayed me so I lost my starting job. I obviously didn't do enough, so I need to blame others. Thank you to W&M for giving me a chance."

I agree, he would not have been just a sub for Knight....Never know, though.Team chemistry may improve next year and results may reflect it. 2008/09 vs 2009/10 comes to mind.

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