Combined feed (RSS)
Basketball: PF Marcus Lee ‘close’ to decision
By Jeff Faraudo
Sunday, October 14th, 2012 at 10:28 pm in Basketball, Recruiting.
The brother of Marcus Lee told CatsPause.com that the five-star power forward from Deer Valley-Antioch is close to picking a school after his visit last weekend to Kentucky.
Here’s the report:
Following a ‘ridiculous’ visit to UK’s Big Blue Madness over the weekend, 5-star California forward Marcus Lee is ‘getting close’ to a college decision, his brother, Bryan, tells CatsPause.com.
Lee previously had narrowed his choices to Kentucky and Cal and will take an official recruiting visit to Berkeley this weekend, where he’s expected to take in the 115th Big Game.
[You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.]
October 14th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Twitter buzz from the Kentucky recruiting followers is that Lee is much more than “getting close” to a decision.
With Calipari’s recent run, not getting hopes up that Lee shuns him. We’ll see soon enough.
October 15th, 2012 at 4:02 am
Kentucky is loaded after 3 recent commits- He would get more playing time at Cal.
October 15th, 2012 at 4:05 am
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1360950-kentucky-basketball-what-a-marcus-lee-commitment-would-mean-for-the-wildcats
October 15th, 2012 at 6:17 am
Steve: this link you have provided is a bit of a joke. It is merely a reckoning that they have a bit of a problem with over-recruiting at the position, followed by a rationalization that it isn’t really a problem.
At first, it’s like, “why take Lee when we could get Randle?” Greedy, which is funny.
Then, it’s like, “here’s why we can and should get both without any issues.” They even go on to rationalize that they can get other pivot recruits, too, and it not be a problem. Oh, the greed of stockpiling 25 NBA prospects at once.
Which points me back to the conversation of other boards. Go to Kentucky and sit on the bench, be recruited over, tossed around as a nice “addition” to your roster – or come to Cal and be The Man for as long as it takes. Monty is a great teacher and developing you will be the staff’s clear objective, not sloppy seconds at Kentucky.
Must have been one hell of a party and sales pitch, however.
October 15th, 2012 at 6:20 am
tough to argue with Kentucky’s results (lottery picks). Doubt he’ll come to Cal.
October 15th, 2012 at 8:53 am
Big Game has an effect on people. I like our chances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fZCCAqoSwY
October 15th, 2012 at 10:00 am
It’s hard to think a top guy like this would choose Cal over Kentucky.
But – you never know. His friends are going to Cal. He knows he’ll get more playing time at Cal. And maybe there’s a little Leon Powe in him where he wants to win and do it his way, here at home.
October 15th, 2012 at 10:32 am
I don’t know, Juancho.
This is exactly the type of guy you would think would be attracted to Cal and Monty. He’ll develop under a great coach, at a great school, close to home.
Kentucky and Calipari does a great job of getting guys to the NBA, but many of them get there hardly ready mentally, just look at the Kings.
Basically, if the only thing you care about is basketball, you go to Kentucky. If you want more, you seriously consider Cal.
I like that Cal offers more, and I want to see guys suited up that want more than just basketball.
October 15th, 2012 at 10:38 am
WC – spot on, it’s going to come down to basketball vs. “more.” I would never fault the kid for choosing Kentucky, it’s his choice and his life. It really isn’t even about Monty, it’s more about what he wants out of life the next few years and where he sees himself. If I was a betting man, I’d give 4-1 that he’s coming to Cal. But I’d be glad to pay it out to see him suit up in the blue and gold!
October 15th, 2012 at 10:43 am
discdue – agree that I wouldn’t fault him at all for choosing Kentucky. But you have to factor Monty into the equation, as it is not like he would be settling for an inferior coach to come to Cal.
October 15th, 2012 at 10:51 am
He’s visiting Cal last. That’s usually a good sign.
The only think in Kenfucky is basketball.
October 15th, 2012 at 11:06 am
“The only think in Kenfucky is basketball.”
Totally agree…LOL!
And Big Game week is a good time to come to Cal for a “visit”…cheerleaders and hot sorority babes, please welcome Marcus with open arms, etc!
Go Bears!
October 15th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
UH Huh Not sure what your point was. I just GOogled Marcus and figured I’d provide the latest news and perhaps another perspective.
I’m not a Kentucky fan as I like Cal and IU and some smaller Texas teams. I hope we get him.
October 15th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
I like Cal’s odds. This kid has other offers from Duke, Indiana, Louisville, and UCLA. If he wanted just basketball, he has plenty of choices. Cal one of his top two, which says a lot about the value of Cal and the respect for Monty. Let’s hope the fan atmosphere and results match the UCLA game and Marcus has an unforgettable experience at the Big Game.
Go Bears!
October 15th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
Her’s another new story. IF Ky gets Randle that should improve our chances but Lee might announce first.
http://ukrecruiting.bloginky.com/2012/10/15/late-night-tweets-marcus-lees-message-to-bbn/
October 15th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
WC – I only said that because if he really does want to go 3 years and get training to go pro, then I think the choice is clear (Monty). But if he’s only thinking 1 year, then I’d have to say it could be Monty, Romar, Howland, or whomever and it doesn’t matter, the clearest 1 year “path” to the NBA right now is through Calipari.
October 15th, 2012 at 5:15 pm
One issue is playing time for Lee and all the other new KY one-and-dones. There might not be enough time to go around at KY. Conversely he’ll have lots of playing and development time at Cal.
I’m guessing it comes to a calculation that involves PT and development. 3 years at Cal might be better than 1-2 at KY.
Also from the KY link from SteveNTex:
“He’s still going to have to develop his post moves and fine-tune some things on the offensive end, but he’s loaded with talent.”
Which coach will do a better job developing ML? I say Monty but I’m bias.
October 15th, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Kentucky is spending over $300,000 on its Blue Midnight Madness. Its just a big business for them. I worry about all the emotion at those events. When Indiana has them, the kids shout out the recruits by name as following r them is a sport in itself. As a result recruits often commit on the spot.
I want to see Cal fans create and provide more sites and post nationally to expand our fan base and recruiting will come along naturally.
October 15th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
This sounds like fun. Love the outside-of-the-box thinking behind this one:
Cal Basketball Teams To Perform Exhibition Prior To Big Game. Event will take place at Lisa and Douglas Goldman Plaza outside of Memorial Stadium at 11 a.m. Saturday. A basketball court will be constructed on the surface and both Golden Bear squads will take part in a shoot-around and half-court shooting contest among other drills.
http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101512aad.html
Look for Marcus Lee on the sidelines and give him a “Go Bears!”
October 15th, 2012 at 5:56 pm
You know what would help with recruiting. A strip club on campus. It could be in sproul immediately next to the financial aid and emergency loans.