Adreian Payne is holding a press conference tomorrow at 6:00 to announce his college destination. For those of us who can't make it out to Jefferson HS, have no fear, Secaur will be making the trip to live blog the announcement; he thinks AP will choose the Flyers. Actually neither of those statements are true but you can tune in to ESPNU and watch it for yourself. Seriously.
One of the more peculiar recruiting processes in Flyer memory will finally come to an end. We have heard everything and nothing at the same time from his Jefferson coach Art Winston about where Payne will lace it up for the next four years.
My guess is he heads for the glitz and glamor of Kentucky. My hope (outside of UD) is that he heads to MSU. While WVU went a little overboard for Payne's official visit, I don't think he pulls the trigger on Huggy Bear. And by the way, WVU is in some hot water over that whole fiasco while hosting Payne. If I'm Payne, do I really want to go to the school and coach that may have vioated NCAA rules on my visit? Then again, I've never had grown adults make signs and t-shirts with my name on them, especially when I was 17. My decision to attend UD was based on a weekend party visit. Just kidding, my Dad reads this.
To be honest, I still had a little hope for UD until we offered D. Oliver. I think Gregory knew Payne was gone for good and pulled the trigger elsewhere, before it was too late. Others still hold out hope, especially after the reports that AP was spotted with some current Flyers at BWW taking in some NBA action last night.
It's amazing to me the attention that 17 year old KIDS garner these days and that grown men make a living off of following them around the country and reporting on their thoughts. Tomorrow, we see it come to an end. But as of today, no one has a clue.
First of all, I never said I wouldn't go. Where is Jefferson High and what time's the presser?
ReplyDeleteSecond, no way Payne laces it up anywhere for four years. He's a one-and-done guy, right?
He wishes.
ReplyDeleteHe's all potential - that's what he's being recruited on. He's a 6'9" freak with a 7'2" wingspan who can jump out of the gym. Problem now is, he's not a great basketball player. He'll probably be a pro someday but I think it will take him all 4 years (possibly more in another league).
If he ends up at KY, I doubt he'll see 10 mins/game his first year. Many think he'll be "recruited over" even after his first year and won't see much PT his whole time there.
6pm Jefferson High - call for that press pass now.
Michigan State is the destination
ReplyDeletePayne is at least a three year player. I like the kid, and wish he would have pulled the trigger on UD a year back when he almost verballed, but he's not a program changing recruit.
ReplyDeleteHe is a damn good player, though.
I stand corrected. I thought he was a one-hit wonder. @Adam - why did he get so much attention/hype if he's not a program changer? Not blaming you for it, but it just seems absurd.
ReplyDeleteLocally - because he's a five star recruit that for a while considered UD.
ReplyDeleteNationally - Because he's a five star recruit that had UK, MSU, Kansas, Arizona, and WVU as his top 5.
What I meant by "program changer" is that he's probably not going to go all Kevin Durant. His development will be much more like Cole Aldrich, if not take a year longer.