Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
The press conference was opened by (didn’t catch the name), who is the Word of God founder and Wall’s pastor. He said he has served as a spiritual advisor to Wall and that the young man would take “about five questions” and that some things he would not answer. He ended up taking a few more until some dilweed asked about the breaking and entering thing. A few notes:
- His plan is to go to UK for 2-3 years but if Cal says after a year it’s his time to go to the NBA, then he’s going to go
- Not true that he had a soft verbal to Miami
- When he announced for Kentucky, there was a bit of an awkward pause as no one clapped. I understand it was probably 100% media, but even a golf clap would have been nice. We’ll just have to get (what is 24k times about 20?) people to make up for that next year.
- The pastor said he has made outstanding development in terms of academics, must carry 2.4 GPA to play sports at Word of God, which is higher than any other school in the state
- Wall said that he chose Kentucky because of his relationship with Coach Calipari and because he’s a great coach for point guards. He also said the Dribble Drive Motion Offense fits his style of play very well.
- He is going to compete for a national championship and to be a great student
- It’s a “relief” to know what school he’s going to and that the last couple of months have been stressful
- Wall said that the Fab 5 did a great job but they plan to make a statement for themselves
- Great school - even outside of basketball - and it has a big tradition and he wants to add on to it
- Doesn’t know his major but might try something with computers
- He made an apology for his breaking and entering citation a few weeks ago
————————
Afterward, Calipari spoke to his tweoples:
UKCoachCalipari I’m very excited for the opportunity to add John Wall to our family.
And, UK Athletics released a quote from Coach….
UKAAWildcats Quote from Coach Calipari on John Wall: “’ve recruited John for nearly two years and I’ve gotten to know him to be not only a fine player…
UKAAWildcats … but a fine person. He’s a terrific teammate who wants to win, yet driven to personally improve. I’m very excited for the …
UKAAWildcats … opportunity to add him to our family.”
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May 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I liked the 2-3 years part. Won’t happen but it’s pleasant to consider.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
He’ll be a rock star at UK!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I was applauding him. haha
May 20th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Very polished. Seems to be a good kid. Either I missed something or Clifton wasn’t discussed in any substantial way.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
This going to pay huge dividends for recruiting. If recruiting could get any bigger, Calipari will pick and choose who he wants.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
“UH-OH, we’re screwed”, said the rest of college basketball
May 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Was hoping to see him in a UK blue hat … but something tells me the school’s founder to his right would not have allowed one to wear a hat indoors.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
He said he’s like to have stayed in-state but the best school for him was “outside the state” of North Carolina. wow.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
any news on roscoe smith, will barton or brandon knight……lets get this sh#t right….
May 20th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Did you see all those Scavengers following him around at the end when he walked out??
May 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Glad to hear the apology, even if the charge wasn’t a big deal. Stand-up character for the young man.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Yessssss…
Now, any word on Jai Lucas?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
10 - yep, that was the “entourage” … was one of them Clifton?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Good for Wall and good for UK!!! He’ll love it here once the season gets started. BTW, you haven’t seen scavengers until he gets here in Lex.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I love this for UK and its fans … but … did anyone leave that press conference feeling like Cal just got us a “hired gun” …? John doesn’t seem to really care much for anything but Calipari (until later on when asked about UK more in-depth). I’m good with it. Just found it interesting, I guess … ?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Only bad thing to this whole process is we have to sit through some pathetic football before bball arrives!!!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4psLTfvZEs
May 20th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
10) Maybe it was friends and family you jackass
May 20th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
@ 15: Wall was a very little boy the last time UK was really good.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Seems like a truly good, genuine, great kid…these are kids, a lot of pressure…
it’s time to
RELEASE THE SQUIRMS!!!!!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
It’s on like DONKEY KONG…Bi@@@tch!!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
my favorite part was where the pastor stepped in to follow a Wall answer on recruiting calls, something to the effect “we have no documentation on that…” what the heck?!?!?! little bit gun shy are we??? lol
May 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I think we should play UCLA at a neutral site. We already play UNC. That would be cool to play them in St. Louis or something…
May 20th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
15…he did mention he wants to ‘add’ to it…don’t forget, these are KIDS, they know very little outside the recent few years, and they know very little about any program and it’s history…
May 20th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
He’s gonna be dishin and dunkin and runnin all over fools! I can’t wait!
16 - don’t diss our football team! If you are a true fan then you should love our golf team, tennis team, etc! Ol Rich Brooks has us going good anyway…take it back!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
kid did not look happy during his press conference. this is supposed to be a happy time, right? im assuming clifton is pissed at him. lets get that kid out of north carolina and into kentucky as soon as possible. he needs to feel some kentucky love
May 20th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
24- Im 16 and know alot haha.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
does anyone know if the LOI is in yet?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
28- Its in, UK sent out a press release.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
28 - we recieved his signed LOI last night via fax.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
k thnx just wondering
May 20th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
@25- 6-6 gets us in a bowl game…whoohooo!!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
1) We can hold out hope….I think we say the same thing aboout Patrick as well…although he had the injury. However, many said he would then be 2 & gone. See how that turned out. But most likely he is gone & if he isn’t , critics will say he could have been # 1 or 2 out of High School if they allowed it & Cal didn’t improve his stock. If we want more “1 & done” caliber, Cal has to continue getting some there in first 10-15 picks after Freshman year.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
we are back! and people are recognizing!
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/
front page of espn college basketball!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I was watching some of the footage of CJ Leslie with Wall and he is really good with excellent athleticism and a good handle with the ball… I have seen both Ferguson and Leslie and if I had to choose-I would go with Leslie for his ability to break the other guy’s ankles.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
15- I don’t think a lot of us fans like to admit how little most of our players care about the school prior to arriving. Even some of our legends. The fact is, recruits choose their school based on the coach. It isn’t until they arrive on campus (and sometimes it takes a few years after that) that they realize how special UK is and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than themselves. If he’s coming for Calipari, he’ll be playing for the school and tradition soon enough.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
@ 34: Its about time, I sent ESPN U a nasty email about how poorly the site is ran. They never update it. They still have us 9 in recruiting. They didn’t even have Cousins or Beldsoe on our rosters….let alone Dodson.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
One of the most amazing things these eyes have ever seen.http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2009&Sport=2&Sc hool=35
May 20th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Yea, I would have expected more clapping from the local media….LOL…
May 20th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2009&Sport=2&School= 35
May 20th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
John needs to reconsider “trying something with computers.” What if he gets carpal tunnel or some virus. Just play basketball and take a geology class so that you can learn all about diamonds.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
40. That’s a WHOLE lotta stars!!!!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
#23–Why a neutral site? They played U of L on a home/home for a while. Let them bring their sorry butts to Lexington; I’d be glad to give a return game in Pauley.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
If Moncell Allen does graphics and videos, John Wall does tech support and Dicky Lyons does humor, is that the Wings of UK sports blogs?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Kansas announced C.J. Henry cleared to play at KU & is enrolled. Guess NCAA gave him the release….
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/tracker/school?schoolId=2305 &page=briefingroom&season=2009&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2fi nsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fschool%3fschoolId%3d 2305%26page%3dbriefingroom%26season%3d2009
May 20th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
44) Is this why last week Coach cal said in two weeks he would have the Website to end all Websites ….?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I’m surprised John didn’t mention his new internship on the CW.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Who’s Henry??? Never heard of him (them)!!!! Nor will the rest of the world thanks to UK and our beloved Coach Cal!!!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
@ 41: LOL!!!! No doubt. Can we get this kid some bubble wrap so he doesn’t get hurt?!?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
We are number 1 now on ESPN!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/classrankings?classyear=2009& classmonth=5&rank=1
May 20th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Let’s not be naive, the coach is 95% of the reason kids pick a school. Your 1 major exception is the in-state kids. I don’t care if the kid likes the campus or not, or if he plans on coming back to hang out after he enters the NBA.
If he does his stuff in the classroom and plays as hard as he can, it’s enough for me. Not everyone is a rah-rah type of guy. The kid wants to win, and history has proven nothing is more important in the bluegrass.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Andy Katz has just submitted for a name change, now to be known as Andy Cats….bandwagon jumper…
May 20th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I didn’t know that Cal was up to over 61,000 now on Twitter. WOW!
May 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
He is now over 65,700…..
May 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
53. I think most of it is twitter spam.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
any word from gottlieb?
May 20th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
56. Supposedly he said, “my bad” or something like that, although I haven’t actually seen it.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Wall is going to make Siva look like a 3 year old girl.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Greatest Recruiting Class of All-Time PERIOD
May 20th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
When the WALL comes tumblin down.
When the WALL comes stumblin tumblin.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=Agom7QhCHTHgakmZ8LRJ vNPevbYF?slug=jn-meeks052009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
come on Jodie!
May 20th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Was anyone else impressed with how well-spoken John Wall was? He never said “ummmm…”, he replied to all questions quickly, he answered all of them completely, he didn’t dodge any questions, and he didn’t give one-word answers. He was Obama compared to Bledsoe. I’m not trying to dog on Bledsoe too much because I think he was nervous but Wall and Bledsoe were like night and day. Not to mention I didn’t hear any curse words from Wall…
May 20th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
anyone know where i can watch a replay of the presser?
May 20th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
#16 and #32 (Pholey22) Pathetic football? The UK FB team has made it to the post season 3x in a row and won each of them. Can’t say the same for BB. And FB is much more entertaining to attend games as opposed to sitting with your legs crossed, hands clasped and mouth shut along side the blue hairs at the BB games. That’s pathetic. You owe the FB team and Coach Brooks an apology. I’m excited about watching the BB games on tv, but not in person - BORING. Can’t stand, jump or cheer without receiving glaring staredowns and snide remarks from the geriatric crowd unless you’re lucky enough to be in the tiny student section or with your head touching the rafters at the top of Rupp.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
61) “If they tell me I’m going to be a top-20 pick I’ll probably have to stay in [the draft],” Meeks says. “Otherwise … I guess we’ll just see what happens.”
Wow that’s good news. I don’t think he’s top 20 material this year. Sorry Jodie!
May 20th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
64. When I go to Rupp, I laugh at the people who tell me to sit down and stuff. If I’m paying $30+ for tickets and driving 90+ miles to get there…I’m doing whatever I want to do to cheer the Cats on!
May 20th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
2-3 years…. yeah right! More like 2-3 weeks and he will be ready for the NBA
May 20th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
i love Jodie and as selfish as I am…i want whats ever best for him….however, i really see him improving his stock with this new system and group of talent….
May 20th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
Was the group that left in front of him his teammates.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
69…looked more like body guards!
May 20th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
69….i think i even saw kevin costner.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
so, the question now is whose scholarship is pulled?
May 20th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
wonder if jodie doesn’t come back if cal will replace him with Lance Stephenson and his drama. hell he could probably find a way to get avery bradley to decommit from texas.
May 20th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Wall seems like a decent kid but he is definitely not “well spoken.” Respectful? Yes. Polite? Yes. Answers quickly? Yes. But… well spoken? Nope.
It doesn’t matter. If I were in the same situation, I’m sure I’d look a lot more timid or mush-mouthed than I do normally. He was on a big stage.
He’s very talented and I’m glad he’ll be wearing UK blue! He’s got plenty of time to develop a love for our university and its history.