I've had conversations in my circles about this for a while... thought it might happen at some point. Still, interesting to see a OAD actually pull the trigger...
More to come?...
- Thread starter gary-7
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I gusee he could always tell recruits they'd be taking their classes at a HBCU.........
Good for the HBCU's, more kids need to take that route.
Did Mikey also pull the trigger today? Rumor mill says so.
Kids should go wherever they feel is best for them. Having skin color be a major contributor is sad for me, that we aren’t beyond that.
That’s not the question I asked. Since you chimed in, what’s your answer to my question?
Absolute Home Run for Howard and HBCUs in general! Mr. Maker chose well and the announcement will go a long way toward making HBCUs a potential destination in more peeps' minds. Even if Mr. Maker never plays at Howard, he could make them a trendy destination. This is a case of an athlete putting his money where his mouth is and I love it !
Actually that is precisely the question.
The OAD system is a joke, cynically exploited by the likes of cal and k. These kids who come in determined to be OAD overwhelmingly don't want anything out of college other than a workout year for the NBA (thus the recent appeal of the G-League option). Hell, they could spend a year with a YMCA team and still get to the League.
So, if you're going the college route, why not spend your one season helping to raise the profile of a HBCU? --- many of which have struggled over recent years to keep their programs vibrant. The same courses are there if you choose to get a start on a college degree and you'll be doing some actual good for the college whilst you're there.
Some Universities are cutting programs, so why not. Hope the kid goes and lends a bit of bolster to the Bison.
I would not mind seeing 25-50 percent of the black OAD kids go to HBCU schools. Wave? Doubt it, but I would like to see it.
When the rubber hits the road, 95% of these athletes and their parents care a lot more about the color green than the color black. Maybe if this guy follows through and actually attends Howard, I might not be so cynical.
Would you ask a parent "why" should they benefit when their child becomes a prodigy?
Think about it.
If you are implying the player is doing it for the benefit of these schools you are way to gullible. This is is just a new way to get their name in the headline now and for the entire basketball season weather they are any good or not.
I find it a not so smart move for the player, if the player isn't is good as he is projected he can't fall on the fact of competition being so good or other players around him are taking ball time away from him.
New recruiting tactic "come play for us we are all black just like you!"
Cynical is one way to go here and it does make sense. But having that "there must be an ulterior motive for the player" instead of going for the "maybe the kid is doing it for the reasons he stated" speaks to the person on this end and not so much about the player!
There is no concrete reason to think in this media age that college choice really negatively impacts potential draft position. Maker is already a media sensation and the attention will follow him! If he is in the G; at Howard; or at UNC-he will be followed and his play will determine his draft status. If he sucked at UNC he would drop; if he excels at Howard he will rise-pretty simple. He is using his platform to make a difference that extends beyond his immediate family and I applaud him for it!
There is no concrete reason to think in this media age that college choice really negatively impacts potential draft position. Maker is already a media sensation and the attention will follow him! If he is in the G; at Howard; or at UNC-he will be followed and his play will determine his draft status. If he sucked at UNC he would drop; if he excels at Howard he will rise-pretty simple. He is using his platform to make a difference that extends beyond his immediate family and I applaud him for it!
You guys do know that he's not going to spend one second on the court for Howard right?
Don't be so credulous.
Don't be so credulous.
He's been to 5 high schools in 4 years. His brother had a similar flirtation with college athletics, only to train independently for a year and get drafted 10th. Major Programs stopped recruiting him. He is eligible for the 2020 NBA draft and the last day to withdraw has been pushed back to August. He announced his decision at a time that maximized his social benefit.
I think you are being a little too cynical in your first point - lots of kids are idealistic and have more than a what's-in-it-for-me outlook. But your second point is a good one.
With my own cynic's hat on, I wonder which of these mostly small schools has coaches that can prepare an OAD for the NBA. I assume some do, but I just don't know.
There are a lot of people who don't understand the history, legacy and attachment to HBCU's for blacks and probably never will any may not care to know. A 5 star recruit choosing to go to Howard is more than "can it prepare him for the NBA". It's about culture and comfort. Howard is one of the best colleges in the country and a leader is STEM fields and a top producer in African American science and engineering doctoral degrees. NCCU has one of the best Law programs in the country. FAMU has one of the best Pharmaceutical programs in the country. I could go on. Scouts will follow Maker regardless and they have enough tape. Howard could lose every single game next season with Maker and he will still be a first rounder. There are plenty of things to think about for a kids future than just basketball and how can he/she entertain us.
Great info the "uninformed", but it will probably fall on deaf ears.
Some of the greatest black leaders in America are HBCU grads.
Makur Maker isn't an African-American.
It's kind of ridiculous to assume that an African immigrant (via Australia) would have similar values or culture as a black person born and raised in the US. African immigrants actually have the highest incomes of any group in the he US.
Makur was born in Kenya, grew up in Australia, went to high school in Canada, and now wants to play in the NBA.
Personally, I just think he has a smart agent.
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I suppose I agree with the initial premise, but explain why he visited Howard way back in October.
@ProfessorOwl is schooling everyone in this thread. Well done.
I never thought he'd spend a minute in a Howard uniform and that was before I even knew about his transient background. I thought he was just leveraging the current civil unrest into some personal benefit - you know, trying to get "woke" points. But he shouldn't take it personal. I believe that about the majority of top notch recruits and their families.
Sorry I'm so cynical. The amount of people with their phony virtue signaling have done a number on me.
I never thought he'd spend a minute in a Howard uniform and that was before I even knew about his transient background. I thought he was just leveraging the current civil unrest into some personal benefit - you know, trying to get "woke" points. But he shouldn't take it personal. I believe that about the majority of top notch recruits and their families.
Sorry I'm so cynical. The amount of people with their phony virtue signaling have done a number on me.
