How much is a Recruit Worth?
Over the last couple days some very interesting stuff has happened on the college basketball front that has got me thinking. How much is a recruit worth to a school? I don’t know the answer but I’d love someone to figure it out for me because the stories that one hears are getting pretty ridiculous.
Yesterday an article was posted in the Chicago Suntimes about Anthony Davis. Anthony is a top 5 recruit out of Chicago who is choosing between Kentucky, Ohio St and Syracuse as his final 3 schools. He came out of nowhere this summer to jump from unknown to unbelievable and those that have seen him play several times think he is a one and done type player who is lottery bound in a couple years. In the article, the reporter stated that rumors were circulating that Anthony was paid 200k to go to Kentucky and that he will be signing with them as soon as possible. The reporter asked the father about this and of course it was flatly denied that anything out of the ordinary happened.
Now I’m not naive enough to say that this stuff doesn’t happen in college sports because I’m sure it does. We are all sure it does, but the question comes in as to why. Why would Kentucky pay Anthony Davis 200k to sign with them because it just doesn’t make sense to me. Kentucky is a basketball powerhouse who can get kids that will win without giving any money in return can’t they? Wouldn’t you feel the same about Duke or North Carolina? I don’t think those schools pay the kids to go there because naturally want to go there because of the history and the coaches. So why is Kentucky different? Kentucky has always been the ‘supposed’ center of college basketball and they’ve had several issues in the past. They hire Calipari, who is a lightning rod for allegations, and the rumors start up again. I don’t think Coach Cal has to give anything to get a kid but the perception of him is that he does.
If Anthony Davis signs with Kentucky and happened to receive money to play there then does Kentucky get a return on that investment. This is a team who is much like the Chicago Cubs in that they are going to sell out regardless of what they put on the floor. How much more money does the program make if they bring in Davis as compared to someone ranked #20 in the country? Sure, it helps the programs reputation as being able to put a winner on the court and it makes Cal look better but you are dealing with a person who doesn’t need to prove anything except one important thing.
The only thing Calipari needs to prove is that he can win without cheating because the jury is still out on that one.
