Wait a minute--He's 15 in the summer before his freshman year? Is he academically capable of handling college?

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:28 AM ET  07.06 by Stuart MacDougal

Wait a minute--He's 15 in the summer before his freshman year? Is he academically capable of handling college?

Oh wait, we're talking about college basketball where academics are just a speed bump on the road to the NBA. Carry on.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:28 AM ET  07.06 by Stuart MacDougal

Wait a minute--He's 15 in the summer before his freshman year? Is he academically capable of handling college?

I think he is Asian!

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 07:30 AM ET  07.06 by Stuart MacDougal

Oh wait, we're talking about college basketball where academics are just a speed bump on the road to the NBA. Carry on.

Do you remember Boobie Knight recruiting the 6th grader?
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1065494/i ndex.htm

The landscape of college sports has changed. Coaches feel the pressure now more than ever to win. If they don't win, the boosters won't fork over the cash for the newer facilities that help land big name recruits. I ultimately think this is a good thing. More competition means more scholarships and opportunities for young people to attend college. Is the eighth grade too young to recruit? Yes and no. I don't think any kid that age should make a decision on where to attend yet. A lot will change with that student over the next four years. That being said, if a major program is offering a full ride scholarship and they committ early, it can take some of the pressure off of the student. They can begin to focus on adapting into the kind of player that will succeed at the college level in that specific program. They'll be able to attend college camps and get personalized attention for the next four years. It also gives teachers leverage in the classroom because they now know where the student will attend college. They know what kind of academic expectations are held at that university and they can start to prepare that student for success. It will also be a good motivational technique if the student thinks he can coast in the classroom and not get the grades. Teachers can lean on the student and really push him to strive to do better, dangling college success as the carrot.

Scott Drew is one hell of a basketball coach.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 07:28 AM ET  07.06 by Stuart MacDougal

Wait a minute--He's 15 in the summer before his freshman year? Is he academically capable of handling college?

Freshman year in HS. that's about the right age although normally its 14. He won't start college until 2013.

My guess is, and this happens all the time, he was held back a year in middle school because of his athletic ability. This allows him to grow and mature a little more and he'll play his senior year in HS as a 19 year old. Not unusual at all. Sad but not unusual.

I'm not surprised. Just look at what else has been going on in College Ball recruiting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy878f83Xa4

Just the desperacy of recruiting...nothing to see here...didn't USC give scholarships to two middle schoolers last year?

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:09 AM ET  07.06 by Ravens to the Playoffs

Just the desperacy of recruiting...nothing to see here...didn't USC give scholarships to two middle schoolers last year?

Nope.

He has already failed a grade, he will never make it academically. And they don't hold you back because of your athletic ability, they push you higher up the chain, ala Mayo, LeBron, etc.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:42 AM ET  07.06 by QOTSA1

He has already failed a grade, he will never make it academically. And they don't hold you back because of your athletic ability, they push you higher up the chain, ala Mayo, LeBron, etc.

Wrong. they do hold you back and they do it all the time. by that I mean parents and in some cases coaches. I've not only seen it I have talked with parents who have done it or are considering it. It happens more than you think.

If a kid has talent but needs room to grow both physically and mentally he may be held back a year. Stay in 6th grade or 7th another year to allow for the growth. It allows them to mature and handle the pressure of their ability and expactations as well has have an advantage over others.

did that happen with this kid who knows. Maybe he just turned 15 and will be 18 as a SR. maybe he was held back to allow for development, maybe he failed a grade (although you claim that and I have not heard nor read anything to suggest its validity), or maybe he just started school late in kindergarten.

the big concern for this kid is John Wall is his idol and lord knows that kids got a ton of baggage.

Kid's from my Town.

Haven't seen him play yet, Hadn't heard about him until our paper put him on the Cover of the Sports page Sunday.

He idolizes John Wall because they have very similar backgrounds. Both lost their Fathers at a young age, Purvis lost his before he was born. Both played with the D-One All-Stars team, which Brian Clifton runs, the known handler of John Wall during his recruiting process. Purvis recently left the D-One squad to join up with a quality program, the CP3 All-Stars.

No suprise here though, Baylor was the first team to offer John Wall, Brian Clifton's brother was hired at Baylor w/ some BS job title all in a set-up to try and lure John Wall to Wako. So I'm sure that is the reason they have jumped on this young kids band-waggon before playing a high school game.

Academically I'm not sure what he'll be able to do or why he is so old. I believe when he transferred in to this academy he's at he repeated a grade. His 8th grade class at this school had a total of 17 people in it. Smaller class settings, seemed to help him out.

Just trying to offer a little more inside info since it's in my backyard.

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 12:28 PM ET  07.06 by Bourbon:TheAnswer

Kid's from my Town.Haven't seen him play yet, Hadn't heard about him until our paper put him on the Cover of the Sports page Sunday. He idolizes John Wall because they have very similar backgrounds. Both lost their Fathers at a young age, Purvis lost his before he was born. Both played with the D-One All-Stars team, which Brian Clifton runs, the known handler of John Wall during his recruiting process. Purvis recently left the D-One squad to join up with a quality program, the CP3 All-Stars. No suprise here though, Baylor was the first team to offer John Wall, Brian Clifton's brother was hired at Baylor w/ some BS job title all in a set-up to try and lure John Wall to Wako. So I'm sure that is the reason they have jumped on this young kids band-waggon before playing a high school game. Academically I'm not sure what he'll be able to do or why he is so old. I believe when he transferred in to this academy he's at he repeated a grade. His 8th grade class at this school had a total of 17 people in it. Smaller class settings, seemed to help him out. Just trying to offer a little more inside info since it's in my backyard.

Great update.

hope he stays out of trouble better than Wall

Sometimes kids are held back in Kinder due to maturity. Who says it was 5th or6th grade? How do any of you know he failed. Maybe he just had a birthday and just turned 15.

I thought that children would be safer from being taken advantage of now that Michael Jackson is gone, I guess that just won't be the case with this new bend in college athletics recruiting. Pun intended.

good he's solid

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 02:09 PM ET  07.06 by TexasBB Fan

Sometimes kids are held back in Kinder due to maturity. Who says it was 5th or6th grade? How do any of you know he failed. Maybe he just had a birthday and just turned 15.

only one person suggested he failed and apparently you missed this in post 12

"Maybe he just turned 15 and will be 18 as a SR. maybe he was held back to allow for development, maybe he failed a grade (although you claim that and I have not heard nor read anything to suggest its validity), or maybe he just started school late in kindergarten."

Next stop... kindergarten