dat_kid_dtae is free

[asu66]

The college bkb sharks are after dat_kid_dtae

Newly released Devonte Graham will be a coveted recruit the next few days
By Jeff Eisenberg

It didn't take long for Devonte Graham's phone to start buzzing once new Appalachian State coach Jim Fox did what his predecessor would not and released the Brewster Academy standout from the letter of intent he signed in 2012.

Fifteen schools have already called Graham to show interest in recruiting him since he received his complete release late Wednesday night. Among those to reach out to the Class of 2014's best available point guard are Boston College, Cincinnati, Creighton, Florida, Florida St, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Providence, South Florida, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Xavier.

Coaches from most of those schools plan to fly to New Hampshire to visit Graham at Brewster Academy either Thursday, Friday or Sunday. Brewster coach Jason Smith said he expects Graham to narrow his list early next week once he has a chance to visit with all those coaches.

Fox's decision to release Graham ended a frustrating 14-month standoff between the recruit and the school with which he initially signed.

Graham initially signed with Appalachian State in Nov. 2012 but asked for his release three months later after a better-than-anticipated senior season at Raleigh (N.C.) Broughton High sparked interest from numerous high-major programs. Former Appalachian State coach Jason Capel refused since signing Graham was a desperately needed recruiting coup and the staff had stopped recruiting other point guards three months earlier.

Since numerous high-major programs wanted to speak directly to Graham but couldn't unless he got his release, Smith spoke with Yahoo Sports and other media outlets in September in hopes that public pressure would help persuade the Mountaineers to set him free. He noted Graham had no intention of playing for Appalachian State and would have to forfeit a season of Division I eligibility if the school did not release him, either by sitting out the 2014-15 season or by playing for a junior college.

Appalachian State nonetheless entrenched its position, releasing a six-paragraph statement in response to media reports sympathetic to Graham. It noted Graham had "willingly and excitedly" signed a binding letter of intent only to change his mind.

"We feel like we are acting in the best interests of all student-athletes and Division I programs that operate under the principle that a National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement meant to be upheld by both the student-athlete and the institution," the statement read. "When that principle is not upheld by a small number of people with selfish motives, it is to the detriment of the student-athlete, the vast majority of Division I institutions (particularly mid-major programs) and all of college basketball."

Appalachian State's stance abruptly changed once it fired Capel and replaced him with Fox. Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State.

Even while he was in recruiting limbo, Graham had a strong season for Brewster, helping the school win the National Prep Championship. Graham showcased high-major talent, showing an ability to finish at the rim, find teammates off the dribble and keep defenses honest with his jump shot. He also is a ball-hawking defender capable of jumping the passing lanes or forcing turnovers with his ball pressure.

Numerous schools were already going to be interested in Graham even if he were to have to sit out a year. Now that he doesn't, expect a feeding frenzy the next few days.

[WataugaMan]

"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?

[appgrouch]

No, App State is free of that kid Donte.

[app123]

[quote="WataugaMan"]"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?[/quote

61N98FG0_bigger.jpg (3.95 KiB) Viewed 5958 times

Fox wants/needs to be able to recruit from Garner Road AAU, Garner Road stated months ago if Im_dat_kid_dtae wasn't released APP would never get another recruit from them.

[Gonzo]

NC State wasn't one of the schools making his phone ring off the hook. Since they've been in contact with him whole time and all...

[HeffnerIV]

"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?[/quote

61N98FG0_bigger.jpg

Fox wants/needs to be able to recruit from Garner Road AAU, Garner Road stated months ago if Im_dat_kid_dtae wasn't released APP would never get another recruit from them.

Devonte, please leave us alone. You got your release. Please drop anything App from your handle and move along.

[JonW]

Why even post anything that even remotely relates to this recruit? No longer an App commit, never really was an App commit...we don't go on and on over a football commit who defected at the last second. Focus on the future of the recruiting and not the past or this guy anymore.

[hapapp]

Whether we like it or not, this has become somewhat of a national story. It was on the front page of both CBS Sports and ESPN yesterday. And while I believe we did the right thing under the circumstances, if we hadn't released him this would have been used against us. I don't believe that is the primary reason Coach Fox released him. As was stated, he only needs guys who want to be a Mountaineer. Clearly, this young man did not and I'm glad the saga has ended.

[ASUMountaineer]

"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?[/quote

61N98FG0_bigger.jpg

Fox wants/needs to be able to recruit from Garner Road AAU, Garner Road stated months ago if Im_dat_kid_dtae wasn't released APP would never get another recruit from them.

Hopefully, he learned from this situation that you shouldn't give your word, or sign a contract, unless you're willing to abide by your word/contract. Unfortunately, he probably learned that because he is athletically talented, adults will do everything in their power to get him what he wants, and if he holds out long enough he will get what he wants.

I supported holding him to his LOI for a period of time to make a point, but I do think we let it drag on a little too long. Glad Coach Fox let him go, and he can take his game elsewhere. Based on his action, he probably wouldn't have been a good fit at App anyways. I just hope Kansas and Missouri is close enough to home for him, just as New Hampshire was closer to home than NC, GA, Bama, etc.

[ASUMountaineer]

Why even post anything that even remotely relates to this recruit? No longer an App commit, never really was an App commit...we don't go on and on over a football commit who defected at the last second. Focus on the future of the recruiting and not the past or this guy anymore.

1 player on a team with 12, where roughly 9 may see substantive time, it's a bigger deal than 1 player on a team with 100+ where 22 are starters. It's a bigger deal when a prize bball recruit does this than a football recruit.

[WataugaMan]

"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?[/quote

61N98FG0_bigger.jpg

Fox wants/needs to be able to recruit from Garner Road AAU, Garner Road stated months ago if Im_dat_kid_dtae wasn't released APP would never get another recruit from them.

Therefore, Garner Road AAU is the only place App can get recruits? If that is their attitude, I say screw em! Im_dat-kid_dtae has been released and I still say screw em!! It works both ways.

[JonW]

Why even post anything that even remotely relates to this recruit? No longer an App commit, never really was an App commit...we don't go on and on over a football commit who defected at the last second. Focus on the future of the recruiting and not the past or this guy anymore.

1 player on a team with 12, where roughly 9 may see substantive time, it's a bigger deal than 1 player on a team with 100+ where 22 are starters. It's a bigger deal when a prize bball recruit does this than a football recruit.

And I completely understand that...but I would think this horse was beaten twice to death some time ago.

[huskie3]

Can you stipulate in a release that the athlete cannot sign with certain schools like you can with a transfer?

[eggers76]

I am glad this is over, it is time. Appalachian did the right thing and I believe we have hired a great coach who will get the chance to prove it.
App State will be around for a lot longer than Garner Road AAU. Coach Smith from Brewster is a Putz and will always be a Putz.

[bcoach]

Devonte who?

[appst89]

"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?[/quote

61N98FG0_bigger.jpg

Fox wants/needs to be able to recruit from Garner Road AAU, Garner Road stated months ago if Im_dat_kid_dtae wasn't released APP would never get another recruit from them.

If they are all like this kid then I'd just as soon we never recruit that program again.

[bcoach]

"Presumably not wanting to send the wrong message to future recruits, Fox released Graham within days of coming aboard at Appalachian State."

So, how was it determined this is the reason Fox released Graham? Personally off the top of my head, I was thinking he released Graham for one basic reason: Coach Fox wants to start building his own team. If Graham doesn't want to be a part of it then cut him lose. There are probably other reasons, however, sending a wrong message to future recruits isn't one of them. By the way, what is this "wrong message", App expects individuals to live up to their word or what?[/quote

61N98FG0_bigger.jpg

Fox wants/needs to be able to recruit from Garner Road AAU, Garner Road stated months ago if Im_dat_kid_dtae wasn't released APP would never get another recruit from them.

I will make you this promise. He does not need Garner Road. You guys need to get over yourselves.

[MAD Doctor]

Coach Fox's first player cut. Buh-bye.

[T-Dog]

Coach Fox's first player cut. Buh-bye.

Actually third.

[appgrouch]

Coach Fox's first player cut. Buh-bye.

Actually third.

Fourth