quote:
To summarize on Caleb:
1. Caldwell and Hampton are committed and both expected to play the 1 primarily.
2. Caleb Smith is a capable 1 that has state championship experience and then transferred out of state to get his academics in order. Is not likely to be a lottery pick and therefore is not likely to leave after one year no matter how much playing time he gets.
3. Caldwell possibly hasn't been cleared for matriculation. Smith likely will be available in Summer II.
So, in essence, Smith is at a minimum an insurance policy and at maximum could be an eventual starter even if Caldwell makes it in on time. But it seems--looking forward--that Caldwell continues to be the likely starter if all goes well? Or is Hampton the likely starter due to experience?
Per Hop on the radio this morning:
- Caleb Smith has been ruled eligible by NCAA and 100% will be joining the team for the second summer session.
- Caldwell has not been ruled eligible by the NCAA yet. The staff seems very optimistic that he will be but until he is cleared then obviously you can't be 100% confident. Hop was told that Smith was an independent opportunity and not 'Caldwell insurance'. The issue was more that Hampton is a grad transfer and thus they would be back to 1 point guard on the roster again next season so they were looking to add another this signing class if they found a guy that they liked.
- Caleb Smith was a guy that Kennedy personally saw play when he went up against Admon Gilder in the state semi-finals, and Kennedy liked his game and went after him once he was ruled eligible in this May.
- Corprew has more hurdles apparently to get ruled eligible by the NCAA than Caldwell. They feel like the chances are good that he will clear but 'hurdles' remain.
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Based on what I've read and heard on the radio, my general take on the roster situation as of today regarding the new guys joining the team:
- Robert Williams is already on campus and impressing in workouts. Good to go.
- Hampton and Caleb Smith 100% will be joining the team in Summer Session II.
- Have seen no indication that there will be any issues with Vila's eligibility. An article on Vila seemed to indicate that he would be flying over soon to join the team in the second summer session.
- Caldwell *probably* will be ruled eligible soon and joining the team in the second summer session.
- Corprew is the most likely to not pass NCAA clearing house, but the still a reasonable chance that things will work out.