Landon Slone begins transfer process
Guy | May 26, 2009 | Comments 8
This is from Jerry Tipton, who unsurprisingly takes the opportunity to swipe at UK coach John Calipari for not talking directly with the UK walkon about his future with the program. Regardless, we all wish Landon the best. He’s always been a UK fan and will remain so, which is good to hear. Also, Landon had to have done something right to actually get the impossible to please Billy Gillispie to like him.
Kentucky’s coaching change has walk-on Landon Slone reluctantly looking to transfer from Kentucky.
Slone, an All-State player for Paintsville High, walked on for UK last year and became a fan favorite. Former Coach Billy Gillispie brought him to UK with the understanding that a scholarship might be available for the second year, Slone said on Tuesday.
“When we got to the NIT, Coach Gillispie started talking to me” about a scholarship, Slone said.
That talk ended when UK fired Gillispie. New Coach John Calipari told reporters a few weeks ago that he would not have as many walk-ons as Gillispie.
“I asked several times to speak to Coach Cal to see what was in my best interests,” Slone said.
That meeting never took place.
Of his best interests, Slone said, “I think it’s starting to get very obvious.”
A meeting with an assistant coach led Slone to believe he should explore options, the player said.
Slone said he’s spoken to Morehead State officials several times and hoped to make a decision within a week or two.
In his one season for UK, Slone epitomized the Kentucky native who reveres the Wildcats and felt it was a privilege to wear the uniform.
“It was a dream to play there,” he said. “When you finally get there, you want it to work. It was kind of shot down. It bothers me. It really does. . . . I don’t think anybody could probably love Kentucky basketball as much as I do.”
Slone said he regretted that he will not be part of next season, which bursts with promise after Calipari added the nation’s No. 1-rated recruiting class. “One of the harder parts,” Slone said. “My ultimate goal was to play in the NCAA Tournament.”
Now, Slone will either try to achieve that goal at another Division I school beginning as a transfer next season or attend a junior college and return to Division I a year from now.
Either way, his personal disappointment remains secondary to Kentucky basketball.
“As long as Kentucky’s winning, I’ll cheer for them wherever I go,” he said.
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Per my previous post… Cal uses the grease from his hair to let another slide right out the door. Have a great year Kentucky. In the next 5 years you will pay for it with probation. Take a note from the elite programs in the country who at least have ethical coaches like my Tar Heels or as much as I hate to say it, Duke.
The hiring of Calipari has clearly struck a nerve for you. All I know is that it’s nice to feel like we have a chance in the race to 2000.
I agree, it is nice to feel like we have a chance, but at what expense. Obviously Cal is gonna come in and shake things up, some kids that were given scholarships by Gillispie are going to be forced off the court and out the door, that’s gonna happen. But there has to be more to this story… Cal’s been on the job for what? two months now and he hasn’t even SPOKEN to this kid? He’s a Kentucky kid, homegrown, true he isn’t a one-year wonder like Wall or Cousins, but all the kid wants to do is wear the blue and white. Calipari can’t even TALK to him to let him know if he will allow him to WALK ON. If this is the whole story it is pathetic.
You say regardless, discounting the situation of the story in the same way Coach discounted Slone. At least give this kid his proper face-to-face ‘you’re not good enough for my team of thugs and NBA-stars-to-be’ sendoff………
[...] Cal has already apologized to Landon Slone for the situation first reported by Jerry Tipton via [...]
Check on my thoughts on the situation in the above article.
The hiring of Calipari hasnt struck a nerve with me, Im just calling facts. Look what he did to the Memphis program this year. Also, newsflash, Kentucky isnt his dream job. His dream job is the NBA again where he can be on the biggest stage. With all the issues at USC, Worldwide will be a thorn in Cal’s side before long and it will crush the Kentucky program at some point. As the saying goes, you play with fire and you get burned. It shows how desperate the program at Kentucky actually is at this point. Also, you think Cal is a great coach? You have serious rude awakening. As a person that was at the 2008 national championship, Cal was outcoached which is ashame because Kansas didnt deserve to be on the court with that team. Being a UNC fan, I will admit memphis was the best team in the country that year and lost 2 games against inferior teams (UT and Kansas.) What will he do when he plays billy d, bruce p, trent johnson and anthony grant 2 times a year? No, this isnt the fab 5. Cal took an offense from Vance Walberg and calls it his own. He is a sham, Kentucky will find that out eventually.
I hope Landon Slone comes to Morehead doesn’t have to sit out because of coaching change at Kentucky i.e. CJ Henry to Kansas, and puts about 25 points on Cal and UK as Morehead starts the Calpari era 0-1.
To date…I am finding out what kind of coach Cal is…He’s a great coach! Go Big Blue!!!!