Dennis Felton lost his second player in about two weeks to attrition. First it was Billy Humphrey who was dismissed following his third arrest. Now promising young player Jeremy Jacob has left the program apparently in search of playing time.
This is a story that UGASports.com started following last week. Jacob is a 6'7" forward who spent the bulk of last year injured. Pre-season, Jacob was described to me as having an attitude and enthusiasm for basketball that would remind Georgia fans of Knowshon Moreno. Note: I didn't say that he was an All-SEC Caliber player as a FR. It was a discussion of his style of play.
That sort of passion for the game would have been a nice addition to this year's team.
An optimist sees this as the thinning of the herd. I see it as a part of a broader trend in Felton's inability to keep kids on campus. We're averaging two or more departures (voluntary or involuntary) per year.
If you've got three guys digging a ditch and two guys standing on top of the hole pouring dirt back in on top of them, it's tough to make much progress.
I seriously doubt that losing Jacob changes the destiny of the upcoming 2008-2009 season. It mainly bothers me because of the broader issue of departures. Losing Humphrey on the other hand is a big deal. There's no proven shooter on this roster next year, and I'm not convinced Swansey has the handle at point either.
On the bright side, it's rumored to be one heck of an entertaining schedule. On the downside, it's rumored to be one heck of an entertaining schedule.
Football season can't come soon enough.
PWD
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6 comments:
looking on the bright side, this does open up another scholarship for the loaded 2009 recruiting class. i just hope felton can pull off the shocker and get 2 of the 3 of derrick favors, ari stewart, and mfon udofia on campus.
I was wondering how we were going to get everyone coming in on scholarship. As of right now I don't think it's a huge deal as long as we don't lose 2 or 3 right before the season (which seems happen every year.)
I saw this earlier today on the AJC. It sucks. But, I also thought it sucked when we were left for dead during the end of last season - then we ended-up winning the SEC Tournament. So, I'll just shut my mouth.
Let's face it, most of these athlete-student's that sign college scholarships couldn't give two craps about the books. I admire Felton's desire for his kids to get the most out of their college experience academically, but I think they grow tired of the regimen, including the early morning study halls.
Even if these kids aren't NBA material, they've got people telling them they are. When things don't go just as they plan and they aren't "the man", they search for greener pastures. Felton either needs to do a better job of recruiting kids that will stick to his regimen or loosen up a bit on it.
Mfon Udofia is likely staying in Atlanta and not even looking at us. He's either Tech or Wake. And if we struggle like it appears we will this season, I doubt we have the record to add Favors considering he's a one year guy and will be looking to win that year, and also might want a coach who has actually put a player in the NBA.
And if Jacob truly saw a lack of playing time, then Zlovaric and Thompkins must be killing him in summer workouts. This kid was long, a good athlete, and looked to be a potential player in the limited looks last year. He would have been a possible starter, or at worst the first F off the bench. Something smells rotten here.
"And tired always followed sick."--Bill Cosby.ddtao
Articles this morning say his desire is to get back home to play at LSU after going to JC. Why did he leave in the first place? Seems that he was highly regarded enough to go to LSU initially if he wanted. Maybe he didn't like Brady and/or vice versa...and they are more attractive to him now that they have a black coach.
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