Kentucky Basketball: Coach Cal Announces that Stacey Poole is Leaving the Program
by jc25 on Nov 14, 2011 4:47 PM EST
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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In a column on his website, CoachCal.com, Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari announced that sophomore guard Stacey Poole, Jr. has decided to leave the basketball program and transfer to another university.
The decision seemed inevitable after rumors of Poole's departure surfaced prior to the season. Poole had not dressed for exhibition games against Transylvania and Morehouse, nor the season-opener against Marist. Earlier in the off-season, Kentucky fans had expected Poole to get increased playing time as the third guard behind starters Doron Lamb and Marquis Teague, especially after fellow shooting guard Jon Hood was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Instead, it appears Lamb will serve as the sixth man, a role that he thrived in last year, and senior forward Darius Miller will start at the 2, giving Kentucky a rather tall starting lineup. Even in this scenario, Poole would still have been in line for valuable playing time, and he could have chipped in 5 to 15 minutes per game in anticipation of a bigger role next year. Instead, Kentucky's backcourt depth takes a hit this season. Expect sophomore guard Jarrod Polson to get an increase in his limited backup minutes, and junior point guard transfer Twany Beckham could see an uptick in playing time as well.
As for Poole, because he didn't dress for any exhibition or regular season games, this year will count as his redshirt year as he explores his transfer options. After sitting out the 2012 fall semester, he would have three years of eligibility remaining at his new destination, making him an appealing prospect for many schools. Poole had previously considered South Carolina and Clemson coming out of high school. His father, Stacey Sr., played for Florida. Another consideration is that Poole's younger brother, Solomon Poole, is a highly regarded prospect in the class of 2013. It's possible the siblings would try to play together in college.
While Kentucky fans are no doubt disappointed that we never got to see Poole thrive in a Wildcat uniform, I'm sure you'll join me in wishing the best of luck to Poole wherever he goes. As Calipari puts it, "He will always be a part of our family and the Big Blue Nation."
After the jump, the full statement from Calipari.
When you talk about a players-first program, the most disappointing thing is when a young man doesn’t feel that he can accomplish his dreams where he is. I’m disappointed today.
We do everything we can to make sure no one is lost in the shuffle because this program is about every player from top to bottom.
We are asking our players to chase their dreams, be aggressive, go after it, but we also ask them to be patient because, at times, circumstances dictate opportunity.
Some players may be behind physically and with others the competition may be further ahead in their skill set or basketball knowledge. In any case the competitor must continue to work hard to prepare for any opportunity to shine. It’s easy for me to say, but it’s hard for players to deal with that.
In Stacey Poole’s case, I feel if he would have stayed, eventually he would have had a breakthrough and had his opportunity. I told his family, "Look, if he needs a week or two weeks to decide what he wants to do and he decides he wants to come back and play the year out, he can do that. I’ll do whatever he wants to do."
Having said that, Stacey and his family felt it is in his best interest to play somewhere else and I fully respect the family and their decision. I want to wish Stacey nothing but the best in whatever and wherever he chooses to go. He will always be a part of our family and the Big Blue Nation.
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I had high hopes for Stacey coming in
but it just never materialized on the court. Good luck, Stacey, in all that you do.
God Bless Our Troops............Especially Our Snipers!
I hope he goes to a place that he can excell at,
All the luck to you Mr. Poole, I will cheer for you wherever you land. Except in the Ville of course.
BLUE!!! Is there any other color?
Good luck to Stacey
I hope that wherever he goes, he’ll end up in the 1st round of the NBA draft. As a Clemson fan, I’d certainly love to see him play for the Tigers over the Gamecocks.
1/x doesn't die, it just fades away.
Indiana is also a possibility.
They recruited him heavily.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I know University of Florida probably wouldn't want him, ...
but I wouldn’t be surprised if he popped up close to home at another Florida school: FSU, South Florida or Cental Florida.
Florida didn't recruit him ...
… but some of the other schools down there might want to take a shot. Maybe even Florida, but you have to wonder why they didn’t even give him much of a look.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Let's hope he goes out on a good note
and finishes his classes. He said he loved it here, so I’m a little sad today.
Who Says He Did?
Calipari may be a recruiting genius but even geniuses make mistakes and that’s how I perceive it: evaluation of Poole the prospect proved to be in error as it applies to contributing to a uniquely demanding program. Wouldn’t be totally taken aback it it occurs at some future time.
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Who isn't recruited over?
We need multiple players at every position. It is up to Poole to beat out the younger guys coming in.
I think Cal has been very clear in this regard .... playing time is earned ... Eloy is progressing - I can see a difference in him ...Poole could have done the same
Still wish he had decided to stay … Good luck to him
Calipari recruits over everybody.
Another way to look at it is that he recruits the best players he can get, and lets them sort themselves out.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I hope the young man does well, no matter where he goes.....
I know this, if I was him, I would be looking at
Kansas, UL, Indiana, Ohio State
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 14, 2011 6:39 PM EST reply actions
same story
if he transfers to schools like that, it will be the same story where he will have to fight for playing time.
He should look at lesser schools within a power conference. For instance, he would easily start at the Minnesota Gophers, and he would play high caliber teams within the Big Ten then if he transfered to the Mountain West or something.
actually, with the exception of OSU, ALL of those schools mentioned
need help, and need it immediately…..Indiana is not yet loaded, Kansas is down from their usual level of players, and UL needs bodies so bad it is not even funny….If I was him, UL would be my first target…..
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2011 8:30 AM EST up reply actions
How times have changed
Poole was a top 30 Player overall,a strong 4 star.Wish him the best,but not going to lose any sleep over it.
The current state of the program is in good hands.
TD Cobb!
- takes a punt 70 yards!
"In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Depends ...
on whether he completes the semester with good grades. If he drops out early or just flakes off in his classwork, yeah it will adversely affect our APR. I’m not optimistic where he’s concerned.
If he does not stay in good standing he cannot play next year.
He has to stay in good standing or transferring gets him nothing. I do not think our APR will take a hit.
Kentucky Basketball - The Reason for Living
That's too bad.
Before the season started, knowing we had a lack of depth at the guard spot, I was hoping that Stacey would take on a Liggins type role and become a defensive stopper, high energy, fight for the ball kinda player. He wouldn’t have got a ton of minutes, but I think he could’ve provided a spark on defense and become a fan favorite. (Side Note) Think about how fun it would’ve been to watch MKG and Liggins on the floor at the same time.
Instant gratification in an internet world...
I am sure you “young guys” get tired of us old f^rts telling you about how it was “back in day”, when you had to play a year of JV, then you had three years of varsity eligibility, and only the very sophomores got anything but spot playing time. So I won’t mention that. LOL
But the key to Cal’s statement is:
…Stacey and his family felt it is in his best interest to play somewhere else ….[my emphasis]
and I believe “his family” in this case means “his dad”.
Unlike those years past, everyone seems to expect instant success and instant star status, especially when you see it happening to others in the program. I hope he takes a renewed drive to succeed where ever he lands, and I hopes it works out well for him, and this time let’s hope his Dad supports the drive it takes to make his dreams reality.
yeah, that "dad" thing weighs heavy in a traditional household......
I know mine weighed heavy on me a few times…..whether I wanted him to or not……lol
I think his dad would get behind him……I honestly think he only wants what is best for the kid…..and that isn’t always Kentucky, as bad as I hate to admit it.
I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 15, 2011 8:34 AM EST up reply actions
Sad to see him go.
I wish him the best were ever he ends up. I honestly believe he has great potential.
by phatcatfan on Nov 15, 2011 12:27 AM EST via mobile reply actions
What's Calipari's general policy on transfers?
He was a big loss for South Carolina when Kentucky swooped in late to take him away, and we’d still love to have him. Would Calipari release Poole to a conference school?
"Lattimore, as the kids can say, can ball, and sometimes does it to the extent one might say [he] is out of control in his balling." - Spencer Hall
by GwinnettGamecock on Nov 23, 2011 2:31 AM EST reply actions
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