http://www.aseaofblue.com/2016/5/25/11770668/marcus-lee-out-of-nba-draft-but-will-transfer-from-kentucky-basketball

Kentucky Wildcats junior forward Marcus Lee will remove his name from the 2016 NBA Draft, but his current plan is to transfer to another program complete his collegiate eligibility.

Upon completing his paperwork to withdraw from the draft, UK has announced that Lee will be granted a full release with no restrictions on where he can go. Lee is coming off his best season as a Wildcat, averaging career-highs in points per game (6.4), rebounds per game (6.0) and total blocks (59).

Lee also shot a team-best 68% from the floor, the best single-season field-goal percentage in UK history with a minimum of 150 attempts.

Here is what Lee had to say on his transfer:

"I want to thank the University of Kentucky, the basketball staff and the Big Blue Nation for supporting me over the years," Lee said. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come to this decision, but I'm trying to do what's right for me and my family. I'll always think fondly of my time at Kentucky."

No more scholarships open, right?

OMG. I'm shocked.

That's it.
Proof.
His decision to go to UK over Cal has now been proven to have been THE WRONG DECISION.
The record has been set straight. We need no more posts on him.
Sorry, FamilyFirst. I was rooting for your bro.

Nope. Filled up. Ship has sailed, but he would be a valuable walk on, if that were in his cards.

concordtom;842694932 said:

---

OMG.
That's it.
Proof.
His decision to go to UK over Cal has now been proven to have been THE WRONG DECISION.
The record has been set straight. We need no more posts on him.
Sorry, FamilyFirst. I was rooting for your bro.

---

CT, smh.

He'd have to sit a year anyway right? Plenty of schollies will be open then, if he's willing to pay his own way for a year.

parentswerebears;842694934 said:

---

CT, smh.

---

syh with me, right?

It would be nice if there was a rule that allowed a walk on to play immediately, but that is not the case. He cannot play D1 anywhere next year other than Kentucky.
Unless he graduated early. Oh, right. Sorry.

Just for kicks, were he able to play on our team next year, as a walk on or scholarship player (which ain't gonna happen no way no how), how would the lineup go?

Rabb and PF
and
ML at Center?

Oh well...

Well this proves once and for all........that he should have gone to AZ

SFBear2012;842694942 said:

---

Well this proves once and for all........that he should have gone to AZ

---

they were not a finalist amongst his choices. It was Cal or UK.

I can't see how he transfers to Cal now. There are no scholarship openings.
That said, read for yourself, from FF (aka brother):

Quote:

---

Hey Tom,
Sorry, I am just reading this. Thanks for the support! Kentucky just seemed like a bigger challenge basketball wise. If Marcus had been a computer science major, Cal would have been an easy decision, but he wants to be an NBA player and looking at UK's recent success with bigmen it was hard not to get excited for the opportunity. He's loving the experience so far, and while he does wish he got more playing time he understands and believes in Calipari's process. (As he would, any coach he played for.) Marcus was going to struggle as a freshman no matter where he went because he went into college at 200 lbs. He's getting stronger and better everyday so while people may think he made a bad choice he is comfortable with his progress and just pushing to get better. I think what rubbed people the wrong way was shocky or whoever he is being so aggressive with his responses but it happens. Either way Marcus has always loved Cal, and if things don't work out with UK, [U]Cal would definitely be his number 1 choice[/U].

---

Further, in another msg he copied and pasted (repeating) things he had already said in this forum:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by familyfirst2011 View Post
Cal does run a good offense for bigs. I've watched tons of tape. Cal would have been an amazing situation. Don't feel like him choosing UK is a knock on Cal at all. We all fought for Cal. He could [thrive] in Mont's offense. I know this. But I also know he needs to gain 30 lbs before he can [thrive] anywhere lol so there are hurdles in both situation and I think he will handle those hurdles just fine. I went from 190 at 18 to 230lbs my senior year. I completely understand what Marcus has in front of him.

I enjoy the convos with you guys too. And thanks for the back and forth.

It came down to Cal and UK. I'd have to say those are two AMAZING choices. Marcus did not enjoy the recruiting process.

---

and then he copied and pasted my words from another post online, which I took as confirming my assumption:

Quote:

---

Sounds to me like even though BigBro defended LilBro and his decision in all ways, Cal was the family's #1 wish. Too bad for us.
Best of luck!

---

Cal was close. The family wanted him at Cal. It was just that UK has 23,500 at Rupp Arena for his recruiting weekend/Midnight Madness vs 300 for Cal's open scrimmage (under Monty) and UK has super salesman Calipari vs Cal's Montgomery ruining his chances in the family home (per 'Willie Beamon').

Maybe if ML has good grades, he could get into Cal, pay his way to Berkeley for one year (not too bad considering it's IN STATE)
sit on the bench next year,
and play as a 5th year senior on scholarship
AND GET THAT CAL DEGREE.

We would all love to welcome him back home!
Get to work, Cuonzo!

Meh, leave the kid alone. Who makes perfect life decisions at age 18 or younger?

Louisville, Oregon or Baylor.

Not a surprise. Anyone with a sense could see things turning out this way.

BTW, Lee weighed in at 211 lbs. at the Combine. Heck of a Strength and Conditioning Program they got there at UK, eh? Even Solomon and Kravish were able to put on weight at Cal. Imagine if they had Nicodemus to work with.

So not only did his game not develop, but his body didn't, either. UK all the way!

tsubamoto2001;842694978 said:

---

Not a surprise. Anyone with a sense could see things turning out this way.

BTW, Lee weighed in at 211 lbs. at the Combine. Heck of a Strength and Conditioning Program they got there at UK, eh? Even Solomon and Kravish were able to put on weight at Cal. Imagine if they had Nicodemus to work with.

So not only did his game not develop, but his body didn't, either. UK all the way!

---

Do they do S & C at Kentucky? Isn't it just suit up, go out and play, then put your name in the draft.

tsubamoto2001;842694978 said:

---

Not a surprise. Anyone with a sense could see things turning out this way.

BTW, Lee weighed in at 211 lbs. at the Combine. Heck of a Strength and Conditioning Program they got there at UK, eh? Even Solomon and Kravish were able to put on weight at Cal. Imagine if they had Nicodemus to work with.

So not only did his game not develop, but his body didn't, either. UK all the way!

---

Ha!
Blondie's all the way, baby!

beelzebear;842694959 said:

---

Meh, leave the kid alone. Who makes perfect life decisions at age 18 or younger?

---

Indeed.
Please see my Meatloaf video post on the other page!

Ain't no doubt about it we were doubly blessed
'Cause we were barely seventeen and we were barely dressed

I'm pretty sure coach Martin will make it happen if this kid says he wants to transfer to Cal. Top recruits weren't exactly lining up to play for Monty either.

beelzebear;842694959 said:

---

Meh, leave the kid alone. Who makes perfect life decisions at age 18 or younger?

---

True!
And UK is not for everybody...he shoudlv'e stayed home, he definetly would have his body together under Cuonzo (the transformation of Rabb from HS to college is a fine example), but he got "caught up"... now if there are no scholarships left and/or if he doesn't have the grades to transfer to Cal (sit the bench for that year and develop) then he may end up at SDSU, Utah or ASU...hey, but if he wants to stay in Northern CA he might even go the St Mary's route at this point.
I've been hearing rumors already about Gonzaga tho.

85 Fly;842695001 said:

---

True!
And UK is not for everybody...he shoudlv'e stayed home, he definetly would have his body together under Cuonzo (the transformation of Rabb from HS to college is a fine example), but he got "caught up"... now if there are no scholarships left and/or if he doesn't have the grades to transfer to Cal (sit the bench for that year and develop) then he may end up at SDSU, Utah or ASU...hey, but if he wants to stay in Northern CA he might even go the St Mary's route at this point.
I've been hearing rumors already about Gonzaga tho.

---

Gonzaga... that would be one way to get him playing at Haas Pavilion, if only for one night!

tsubamoto2001;842694978 said:

---

Not a surprise. Anyone with a sense could see things turning out this way.

BTW, Lee weighed in at 211 lbs. at the Combine. Heck of a Strength and Conditioning Program they got there at UK, eh? Even Solomon and Kravish were able to put on weight at Cal. Imagine if they had Nicodemus to work with.

So not only did his game not develop, but his body didn't, either. UK all the way!

---

He didn't like grits.

CalBear916;842694998 said:

---

I'm pretty sure coach Martin will make it happen if this kid says he wants to transfer to Cal. Top recruits weren't exactly lining up to play for Monty either.

---

^ This

BoaltBear;842694926 said:

---

http://www.aseaofblue.com/2016/5/25/11770668/marcus-lee-out-of-nba-draft-but-will-transfer-from-kentucky-basketball

Kentucky Wildcats junior forward Marcus Lee will remove his name from the 2016 NBA Draft, but his current plan is to transfer to another program complete his collegiate eligibility.

Upon completing his paperwork to withdraw from the draft, UK has announced that Lee will be granted a full release with no restrictions on where he can go. Lee is coming off his best season as a Wildcat, averaging career-highs in points per game (6.4), rebounds per game (6.0) and total blocks (59).

Lee also shot a team-best 68% from the floor, the best single-season field-goal percentage in UK history with a minimum of 150 attempts.

Here is what Lee had to say on his transfer:

"I want to thank the University of Kentucky, the basketball staff and the Big Blue Nation for supporting me over the years," Lee said. "I'm sorry it took me so long to come to this decision, but I'm trying to do what's right for me and my family. I'll always think fondly of my time at Kentucky."

---

I talked to Marcus Lee last Summer; he was going to transfer to Cal then but Calipari talked him out of it with promises never kept

one year of eligibility left? Oregon it will be.

^^^^^ You may have something there Blue...

That's why UK and Calipari were a bad choice from the start. I have empathy for Marcus, but it wasn't like evidence of Calipari's methods weren't present, if someone bothered to look. I hope Marcus is able to hook-on where he can be happy. Meanwhile, Cuonzo needs to land a top PF for the Bears, but not a senior, who'd have to sit-out a transfer year. Unfortunately, a pass.

tsubamoto2001;842694978 said:

---

Not a surprise. Anyone with a sense could see things turning out this way.

BTW, Lee weighed in at 211 lbs. at the Combine. Heck of a Strength and Conditioning Program they got there at UK, eh? Even Solomon and Kravish were able to put on weight at Cal. Imagine if they had Nicodemus to work with.

So not only did his game not develop, but his body didn't, either. UK all the way!

---

Yeah, I saw that combine weight and was really surprised. I have to think they sort of know what they're doing over there in Lexington, though, so maybe he just has the type of body that doesn't fill out?!? (I mean, can you imagine one of the top programs in the country... "S & C? No, we don't really do much of that.")

Hey, maybe everybody here should all try being really nice to ML and his family: Couldn't hurt. Hey Marcus, I wish you had come to Cal, originally, and now maybe you still will! That'd be cool! We would cheer you on like crazy! And so would your whole family, who could drive over for all the games!!!

Marcus Lee made a business decision and ultimately it didn't work out. Can't fault the kid for going to Kentucky. They've produced more first rounders in the few years since Coach Cal has been there than Cal has in the entire existence of the program. Coach Cal is literally producing millionaires at Kentucky. Lee unfortunately is one of the very few top recruits that didn't pan out. He's almost the exception and not the norm. I wish Lee and Aaron Gordon would've come to Cal, that would've been a great class. Both chose different routes, one is a millionaire.... The other isn't.

CalBear916;842695151 said:

---

Marcus Lee made a business decision and ultimately it didn't work out. Can't fault the kid for going to Kentucky. They've produced more first rounders in the few years since Coach Cal has been there than Cal has in the entire existence of the program. Coach Cal is literally producing millionaires at Kentucky. Lee unfortunately is one of the very few top recruits that didn't pan out. He's almost the exception and not the norm. I wish Lee and Aaron Gordon would've come to Cal, that would've been a great class. Both chose different routes, one is a millionaire.... The other isn't.

---

I think you should have used the word "processed" instead of "produced".

See, Cal could have just as many first rounders had they elected to enroll here.
The argument could be made that UK is simply a weigh station that the talent is going thru. It's going to get to the NBA, Calipari is not necessarily producing anything, just processing them for a year or two. The excess, like Lee, get discarded.
Had Lee come to Cal, he'd have gotten:
- more playing time,
- more opportunity to be "the man"; the ball and exposure,
- proximity to home, family and friends
- Cal education

CalBear916;842695151 said:

---

Marcus Lee made a business decision and ultimately it didn't work out. Can't fault the kid for going to Kentucky. They've produced more first rounders in the few years since Coach Cal has been there than Cal has in the entire existence of the program. Coach Cal is literally producing millionaires at Kentucky. Lee unfortunately is one of the very few top recruits that didn't pan out. He's almost the exception and not the norm. I wish Lee and Aaron Gordon would've come to Cal, that would've been a great class. Both chose different routes, one is a millionaire.... The other isn't.

---

Kentucky and Calipari don't produce anything. Their program is basically a one-year pit stop for the sure-thing prospects that go there head to the NBA. Lee was never a "sure-thing". He was a high upside prospect that needed a lot of development.

Needs bulk and another year in a strong program that's more demanding than the "free school" approach at UK.

tsubamoto2001;842695161 said:

---

Kentucky and Calipari don't produce anything. Their program is basically a one-year pit stop for the sure-thing prospects that go there head to the NBA. Lee was never a "sure-thing". He was a high upside prospect that needed a lot of development.

---

Lots of highly rated recruits, many whom people thought would be one-and-done, did not pan out, or panned out less quickly, once they got to college. There are similarly dozens of teams who were packed with highly rated recruits who never gelled and failed as a team. Whatever you think of him, Calipari at Kentucky seems to have done a very good job producing first round picks, and very good teams, ahead of the historical rates. Yes, he gets talent. But his teams are very good, and those recruits seem to pan out way more often than not.