Update: Jerry Tipton talks to Jodie.
Will be working on a Jodie Meeks-is-gone column later in the day, but for now here’s three quick impressions to the news the UK guard is keeping his name in the NBA draft:
- 1. I’m a bit surprised, but certainly not shocked. It was pretty evident that Meeks wanted to stay in the draft, if at all possible. He’s done a ton of workouts. He waited until the last minute to announce his decision. Even when most so-called experts believed he would be better-served returning to Lexington for another year, he has chosen to go the other way. I think Meeks believed he would never be hotter as a prospect, and if that he stayed another year in college that would give the scouts more time to pick at his game. If Meeks had returned to UK, it would have been reluctantly. I’d take a reluctant Jodie over no Jodie, but I think he’s following his heart.
- 2. Yes, this hurts UK’s chances at winning it all next year. How could it not? You lose the team’s leading scorer, it’s its best outside shooter, and you’re going to be hurt a bit, even with John Calipari’s bumper crop of talent. One player would could benefit is Darius Miller. Not that Miller is anywhere near Meeks as a perimeter shooter, but he can be a scorer. Without Meeks, Darius will need to score more.
- 3. Hello, Eric Bledsoe. This news certainly opens up playing time for the UK freshman, even with John Wall on the roster. This may have been why John Calipari convinced Bledsoe that the two could play together. Kentucky may go from a team with no real point guards, to two point guards, on the floor at the same time. Of course, the Cats will still need some outside shooting. That may be where Darnell Dodson comes in. And I’m sure conspiracy theorists will contend that this opens the door for perhaps Xavier Henry to back out of his Kansas commitment.
- 4. I don’t look for Calipari to use the open scholarship. The coach has said all along he could end up with 11 or 12 on scholarship. Looks like it’s going to be 12.
- 5. I’m going to miss Jodie. A genuine nice-guy, Meeks took some undeserved flak from the former coach here last year. It makes you wonder if any of what happened over the past two years — missing most of his sophomore year with an injury; the treatment he took from the head coach the second half last year — had anything to do with his decision to leave.
Mr. Clay, could you give us an updated U.K. Basketball roster now that Jodie is not returning? THANKS!
Definitely hurts our chances of winning it all. From what I know, neither point guard is a 3 point threat. That means Miller, Dodson and Hood had better be.
We’ll miss you Jodie, but I understand your wanting to get on w/your career as a pro. He went through alot of ups and downs at UK including 3 coaching changes and a couple of bad injuries. I’m just glad we got to see what he was capable of last year. Best of luck, with any luck my Hawks will draft him!
While I agree that Meeks will be missed, this could end up being a positive for team chemistry. Meeks has a scorers mentality. We needed that last year. This year, we have guys that want and deserve plenty of touches. Now they will get them. Five guys on the court sharing the ball. The way the game is meant to be played.
John, why would Coach Cal be satisfied with 12 on scholarship? Is there an advantage to having one in your pocket?
Say it ain’t so…You used “it’s” when you meant to use “its” (possesive)..Ooops, “ain’t” is not a word.
“You lose the team’s leading scorer, it’s best outside shooter, and you’re going to be hurt a bit….”
Jodie will be missed. I wish him nothing but the best. A true class act, I hate we all won’t get to send him out with a senior night bang. Good Luck!!
Fixed the grammatical snafu. Thanks.
4 words”THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES”. GO JODY GO CATS
Jody Meeks is good enough to play in the NBA. If JJ Riddick can make it so can JM. As SP said its harder getting in than staying in. I have 2 names for all of you who think otherwise. Kaleena Azibuke and Rajon Rondo both playing in the NBA and both were roasted by socalled UK fans as well as the local papers for leaving early. You were all wrong then and you are all wrong NOW. We true UK fans are behind you and your family JM so “THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES”. GO JODY GO CATS