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Sources: USC, UCLA wary of recruit's risks

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On Thursday, Renardo Sidney, 19, signed a letter of intent with Mississippi State days after visiting Starkville, Miss. The Bulldogs were, at best, his third choice -- but in the end, perhaps his only choice. When, after Sidney's visit, a family spokesman was asked whether Mississippi State was the front-runner for his services, the reply came that the Bulldogs were "the only runner." A rare turn of events involving a 6-foot-10 prospect with a powerful build and uncommon shooting range for a big man. "It's highly unusual for both of those schools to abandon their recruitment of a player of that caliber and potential," said George Raveling, a former college coach -- at USC and elsewhere -- who works the Southern California area for Nike. "They must know something the rest of us don't know." UCLA and USC officials were prohibited by college rules from speaking publicly about Sidney while he was unsigned, and even now they have declined to do so. But sources on both campuses who have knowledge of his recruitment agreed to speak with The Times as long as their identities were kept anonymous. Though they are from rival schools who often wage intense battles for the same athletes, the sources agreed on this about Sidney: The reward of suiting up such a prodigious talent was not worth the larger risk. Bruins and Trojans sources both say they were wary of potentially intense NCAA scrutiny prompted by these issues: Despite what was perceived as a limited income, the family moved multiple times and resided in upscale homes during Sidney's high school years; and stepfather Renardo Sr. directed a club basketball team with financial backing that was unclear beyond a relatively modest shoe company sponsorship. Plus there was this: A source intimately familiar with Sidney's recruitment said a university official thought the stepfather had strongly hinted that he expected to be compensated if his son signed with the school. Renardo Sr. and Patricia, in person and through a spokesman, declined repeated requests to be interviewed for this story. But the family's lawyer, Donald Jackson, said last week that there was never a request for payment, noting, "That would be a violation."

Los Angeles Times

Tim Floyd, Getty Images Tim Floyd, Getty Images
May 4, 2009  07:08 AM ET

Renardo Sr should have learned from Bush Sr. You get tagged AFTER you leave college early.

May 4, 2009  08:13 AM ET

If USC backed off there must be something wrong with some of the characters they have brought in.

May 4, 2009  08:38 AM ET

What does this say about Miss State U that they'd go after a kid and a family that appears to be as dirty as an elephants rear end. Of course, the NCAA can't keep up with just how dirty basketball recruiting is.

May 4, 2009  11:12 AM ET

Sounds like a solid family unit around this kid. I wonder what happens when he is done playing ball, and the money is all gone???

May 4, 2009  12:03 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

What does this say about Miss State U that they'd go after a kid and a family that appears to be as dirty as an elephants rear end. Of course, the NCAA can't keep up with just how dirty basketball recruiting is.

Wow. King and the Warden have zeroed in on the problem.

Warden, did you have a buddy who worked at a zoo?

May 4, 2009  12:09 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

Wow. King and the Warden have zeroed in on the problem.Warden, did you have a buddy who worked at a zoo?

I worked at a zoo. I was responsible for helping out constipated elephants who ate too many peanuts. Not even Mike Row would come and film Dirty Jobs and get his hand and arm up an Elephants rear end.

May 4, 2009  12:17 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

If USC backed off there must be something wrong with some of the characters they have brought in.

Tell me again please, what conference is Mississippi State in? Every school takes its risks. With the Mayo/Bush thing hovering over their heads, I'd say erring on the side of caution was the right move.

May 4, 2009  01:02 PM ET

In first place the schools in general need screen a potential high school recruit whether they
hire a private investgator and/or have one of their investgator do the job. Secondly, USC did
the right thing by saying sayonara to this recruit for possible No College Athletic Association
violation. Kudos to Tim Floyd and Ben Holland for distancing themselves from Renardo Sidney.

May 4, 2009  01:13 PM ET

Seems sad that a family and their greed would prevent a talented kid from playing a sport that he obvioulsy exceeds at. I think its very sad and pathetic when a family USES their kid to PROFIT THEMSELVES...how self centered is that????

May 4, 2009  01:15 PM ET

I agree with you Samurai Marine !!

May 4, 2009  01:28 PM ET

If USC stops recruiting someone because of fear of an investigation after Bush, Mayo, et. al...U know this guy is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay dirty. Somehow multiple moves and upscale homes seem to be a trend w/ the athlete student body @ USC. This guy got to Cali from Mississippi w/ the funding...urrrrrrr moral support of that pinnacle of ethical treatment of high school athletes Sonny " I used to **** adidas and aau athletes" Vaccarro.

May 4, 2009  01:36 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

In first place the schools in general need screen a potential high school recruit whether theyhire a private investgator and/or have one of their investgator do the job. Secondly, USC didthe right thing by saying sayonara to this recruit for possible No College Athletic Associationviolation. Kudos to Tim Floyd and Ben Holland for distancing themselves from Renardo Sidney.

Hate to break it to U TW1964 but I can guarantee the lawyers @ USC and UCLA told the coach, " UH..NO you can't let this guy come here no matter how good he is and cost us millions in legal costs and penalties" don't for a second think Holland and especially Floyd suddenly found morality and voluntarily backed off. My God OJ MAJO practicallly came to college w/ an agent and the agent's ATM machine and that didn't seem to phase Floyd. Miss St. hasn't been on probation in a while so their lawyers have nothing to do and said go for it, I need the billing

May 4, 2009  03:30 PM ET

I guess I am still at a loss......I understood it that his family did not have enough income for them to take him? Someone please explain it to me!!

May 4, 2009  03:51 PM ET
QUOTE(#13):

I guess I am still at a loss......I understood it that his family did not have enough income for them to take him? Someone please explain it to me!!

Here's the issue in short: USC and UCLA are not in a position to take a (another) player who's family has a questionable financial background. Apparently USC (and UCLA, I think), has signed athletes with similar issues in the pas and are currently under investigation for those acquisitions. Renardo Sidney, Sr. (the stepfather) has made some unexplained financial decisions in the past and it has now cost his step-son an opportunity to play for the school he originally signed with.

May 4, 2009  04:30 PM ET

who cares what the step-dad is into? The kid has potential and talent. If his talednt were condtional upon his families dealings who of the regular working joe would ever make it? I say regular joe because a large number of low income families have people in their family in prison...not because of guilt but lack of money for a lawyer. At least his family is smart enough to get a lawyer.
To all of the priviledged sniveling commentors, give the kid a chance, it has nothing to do with his step-dad.

May 4, 2009  04:32 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

In first place the schools in general need screen a potential high school recruit whether theyhire a private investgator and/or have one of their investgator do the job. Secondly, USC didthe right thing by saying sayonara to this recruit for possible No College Athletic Associationviolation. Kudos to Tim Floyd and Ben Holland for distancing themselves from Renardo Sidney.

Well points taken but whenever we're applauding the SCs and UCLAs of the world for taking their so-called stand against the venomous recruits we have to remember the harm that's been done to the recruit on the front end. Some AAU coach, a family member or both have taken advantage of a kid probably since he was in elementary school. So now, when the kid is poised to receive the education that could free him poverty, crime or just propel him toward becoming a good contributing citizen, he's almost out of luck. Maybe the NCAA should find a way to keep these preparatory hoop programs free of land mines.

May 4, 2009  05:34 PM ET

The good news is he's found a school. Not his first choice? That's the breaks. He now has an opportunity to distance himself from those who have allegedly taken advantage of him in the past. He can get an education and hone his skills for the next level. Good luck to him.

May 4, 2009  06:52 PM ET
QUOTE(#17):

The good news is he's found a school. Not his first choice? That's the breaks. He now has an opportunity to distance himself from those who have allegedly taken advantage of him in the past. He can get an education and hone his skills for the next level. Good luck to him.

I don't know what you've taken to make you "feel good" Dr. Bubba but somehow I think getting a "good education" does not hold a high position on this kids priority list...

May 4, 2009  08:13 PM ET

Let's clarify: U$C has been under scrutiny recently for recruiting violations (see: Reggie Bush and OJ Mayo), UCLA has not.

 
May 4, 2009  08:15 PM ET
QUOTE(#19):

Let's clarify: U$C has been under scrutiny recently for recruiting violations (see: Reggie Bush and OJ Mayo), UCLA has not.

Another point of clarification: UCLA hasn't had problems like U$C because it avoids guys like this. U$C is just following UCLA's lead on this one, which I have to give Floyd kudos for.

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