Freshman Alex Legion has decided he wants to transfer from Kentucky, the player’s godfather and mentor said Tuesday. This time there might be no wavering.
According to UK Coach Billy Gillispie, Legion has wavered between staying and leaving over the last two weeks. For instance, UK announced on Dec. 3 that Legion would transfer. Then three days later, Gillispie said Legion had asked to return to the team.
But Tim Green, the player’s godfather and former AAU coach, made it sound as if Legion wants to leave Kentucky and won’t change his mind.
“The bottom line is he’s ready to get out of there,” Green said. “ … Ultimately, in his heart, he wants to move on.”
Legion is still waiting for UK to grant him an official release, Green said. However, UK spokesman Scott Stricklin said Legion had been granted a release and was free to pursue any option.
Legion’s mother, Annette, said last week that playing time was not at the heart of her son’s consideration of a transfer. He was averaging 17.5 minutes and 6.7 points through six games.
Three years ago, Joe Crawford considered a transfer in the middle of his freshman year. Crawford was averaging 13.1 minutes and 3.8 points. He ultimately returned because the conditions set by the national letter of intent require players to stay at the school their entire freshman year. The penalty of not doing so is the loss of a year’s eligibility.
Legion does not face that penalty because he did not sign a letter of intent with Kentucky. He signed with Michigan, then looked for a new school when Tommy Amaker was fired as coach.
Legion was considered a recruiting coup for Kentucky. After changing his mind about Michigan, he had been considering Kansas and UCLA.
Gillispie persuaded Legion to visit UK first. During that visit, Legion had an impromptu meeting with Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry. The player, who has an interest in politics, considered it a “big deal” to meet the mayor.
“No other school did that,” he had said. “That stuck out to me. That told me they were real serious about their basketball. They actually knew I was into politics.”
During the pre-season, Gillispie’s demanding style made an immediate impression on Legion.
“I’ve never had a coach like him in my life,” Legion said before the season. “He expects 110 percent every time.”
Gillispie’s approach produced “the kind of pressure players need,” Legion said.
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
Let Legion go, get over him and seek an immediate replacement. He was not loyal to his high school, his 1st college choice, nor UK. He’s just a mixed up kid who does not want to be dried behind the ears, by any
authoritative figure. UK is paying a terrible price for the recruiting failures of Tubby Smith for at least the last 4 years. It will take about as long to repair the damage, as it took to slide to where we are now. I would not be surprised to see other defections among weaker- willed players. The impatience of the “fan base” is amazing, considering they patiently allowed Tubby to get them in the shape they (& the team) are in. It takes time to recruit and develop proper talent, hopefully including Kentucky-bred talent. I believe we’d all be better served by patience. Even Rome was not built in a season.
Let it be known to all future recruits…there are no free rides at UK. You will have to work hard and earn everything…or transfer.
See ya Alex. I hope the next coach doesn’t ask you to work too hard.
Will this kid please just go? He wants to go back to Michigan for his 3rd or 4th committment to U of M, but U of M hasn’t called him yet (as of today). When you read quotes from Alex, he is so full of himself that I can’t see how you could build a team with him on the squad. I feel sorry for him and his “Prophetic” mother. For his own mental health, he should have to sit out a year; now he will be rewarded again for his lack of commitment to anything but himself. Good call Coach G and GO BLUE!! I’ll watch no matter what happens.