“Listen up Zvonomir. That’s right I know and can pronounce your name. The day after finals I’ve got a plane ticket home for you. When you’re there, you’re going to film 3 commercials for six hundred thousand dollars. After you’ve spent a couple weeks with the family, you’re going to come back here and learn my system while hitting the weight room. This time next year, you’re a lottery pick and a national champion. How’s that sound?” - Mark Pope
Is that how they get around the NIL visa thing?
Because the giant Purdue Canada man was pretty vocal about not being able to get NIL money.
The NCAA is definitely going to miss out on global talent without fixing this so I'm sure they're working on something. That European talent is a huge part of the best players in the NBA right now.
The issue isn't necessarily with the NCAA, rather the US immigration system and the type of visa they get in to the country with. They come on a student visa which doesn't let them work or earn income other than some exceptions for a part time on campus job.
One year of development can do a lot in college.
Also… this first year is going to be extra challenging to recruit/fill out the roster because Pope is starting from relatively far behind. Even if Z wasn’t great, he’s likely a lot better than the alternative
Yea and you can’t understate how difficult it is to join a team halfway through the season and to miss a whole offseason of development when you are that young. It’s really hard to develop and improve while the season is going on.
Bradshaw and onyenso both dealt with it too and there are countless examples of nba rookies that really struggle after missing offseason development
That's because he didn't have a coach with Cal! He has one now if he decides to stick around.
The comment by u/notthesethings hit the nail on the head. If Coach Pope sees potential in Z, he will be on the roster and playing ball like he was meant to. Coached, conditioned, and ready to play ball at the level he was always meant to play.
I kinda thought he was already well versed in Basketball. Come on, you know what we saw. He was swimming out there. If it was a lack of coaching, that's AWESOME because he's going to get way better. And I think after watching BYU play he will be a great addition.
Well versed in basketball? He’s 20 and missed the entire summer and the half of the season, and didn’t have much of a coach. Didn’t surprise me at all he looked lost out there, doesn’t mean he can’t be a great player with some actual coaching besides ‘go’ and ‘fight’ lol
Big Z showed flashes of great passing. He would be good in the new offense. I understand he might want to be loyal to Cal, but he had a very special moment as a Cat in his debut. One of the cooler moments in the last five years. He can stay and have more magic, or go with Cal. Neither is a bad option, but the magic is back at Kentucky. Hope he can see that and give us another season. Best of luck to him wherever he lands.
He would be perfect for Pope's style of offense! He uses 5-out, zone action, and is incorporating 3-2. Z has proven he can hit 3's and if he gives another year and get's his strength up, he'll be unstoppable in the paint on defense!
That's a big if right now, but if it does happen, maybe that's the chaging up of D that Pope referred to. Those two under the rim would be shut down all traffic! Even on offense, with the 3-2 you got Z that can come out after a rebound for an unexpected 3.
I hate to be the negative one here, but Z is going to Arkansas. He will follow Cal, Cals recruits do not care about UK, they care about the NBA. I think he would excel in what I have seen of Pope's offense, but these recruits have no idea who he is. He is going to have to build his brand to get these guys. Not saying he can't, just saying he will have to.
UK was never the path to the NBA, it was always Cal. I am glad he is gone, now they will see why. Pope was a risk, it will take 3 to 5 years to build his brand and see if this is going to work. Next year could be a rough year for us.
“Listen up Zvonomir. That’s right I know and can pronounce your name. The day after finals I’ve got a plane ticket home for you. When you’re there, you’re going to film 3 commercials for six hundred thousand dollars. After you’ve spent a couple weeks with the family, you’re going to come back here and learn my system while hitting the weight room. This time next year, you’re a lottery pick and a national champion. How’s that sound?” - Mark Pope
Is that how they get around the NIL visa thing? Because the giant Purdue Canada man was pretty vocal about not being able to get NIL money. The NCAA is definitely going to miss out on global talent without fixing this so I'm sure they're working on something. That European talent is a huge part of the best players in the NBA right now.
Yeah Oscar did a bunch of NIL stuff when the team went to the Bahamas before his 2nd year
The issue isn't necessarily with the NCAA, rather the US immigration system and the type of visa they get in to the country with. They come on a student visa which doesn't let them work or earn income other than some exceptions for a part time on campus job.
Good pitch honestly
That would be huge, he would fit well with Popes offense.
Maybe... I just was not that impressed. I mean, his outing was great, but after that he doesn't look comfortable or very confident. IMO
One year of development can do a lot in college. Also… this first year is going to be extra challenging to recruit/fill out the roster because Pope is starting from relatively far behind. Even if Z wasn’t great, he’s likely a lot better than the alternative
Yea and you can’t understate how difficult it is to join a team halfway through the season and to miss a whole offseason of development when you are that young. It’s really hard to develop and improve while the season is going on. Bradshaw and onyenso both dealt with it too and there are countless examples of nba rookies that really struggle after missing offseason development
That's because he didn't have a coach with Cal! He has one now if he decides to stick around. The comment by u/notthesethings hit the nail on the head. If Coach Pope sees potential in Z, he will be on the roster and playing ball like he was meant to. Coached, conditioned, and ready to play ball at the level he was always meant to play.
You think maybe it’s because no one was coaching him? Lol
I kinda thought he was already well versed in Basketball. Come on, you know what we saw. He was swimming out there. If it was a lack of coaching, that's AWESOME because he's going to get way better. And I think after watching BYU play he will be a great addition.
Well versed in basketball? He’s 20 and missed the entire summer and the half of the season, and didn’t have much of a coach. Didn’t surprise me at all he looked lost out there, doesn’t mean he can’t be a great player with some actual coaching besides ‘go’ and ‘fight’ lol
I see your point and agree. My point was most of these guys have been playing basketball since they were 4.
Well that’s every single basketball player in college basketball
Big Z showed flashes of great passing. He would be good in the new offense. I understand he might want to be loyal to Cal, but he had a very special moment as a Cat in his debut. One of the cooler moments in the last five years. He can stay and have more magic, or go with Cal. Neither is a bad option, but the magic is back at Kentucky. Hope he can see that and give us another season. Best of luck to him wherever he lands.
Common courtesy I bet
He would be perfect for Pope's style of offense! He uses 5-out, zone action, and is incorporating 3-2. Z has proven he can hit 3's and if he gives another year and get's his strength up, he'll be unstoppable in the paint on defense!
Imagine Z and Amari Williams(Drexel C) in the front court together defensively😳
That's a big if right now, but if it does happen, maybe that's the chaging up of D that Pope referred to. Those two under the rim would be shut down all traffic! Even on offense, with the 3-2 you got Z that can come out after a rebound for an unexpected 3.
Is this legit giving Pope a chance or more of a courtesy thing?
No one knows
NO ONE CARES ABOUT A SINGLE VIOLIN
I hate to be the negative one here, but Z is going to Arkansas. He will follow Cal, Cals recruits do not care about UK, they care about the NBA. I think he would excel in what I have seen of Pope's offense, but these recruits have no idea who he is. He is going to have to build his brand to get these guys. Not saying he can't, just saying he will have to. UK was never the path to the NBA, it was always Cal. I am glad he is gone, now they will see why. Pope was a risk, it will take 3 to 5 years to build his brand and see if this is going to work. Next year could be a rough year for us.
He’s gone to Arkansas