Devonte Graham

[hapapp]

The point has been made but it is time to let him loose. From this point forward there is nothing good that will come from this episode. I know that it is frustrating to work hard and find a diamond before others do and then have others with higher profiles come along and steal him away. But, this is not the kind of national publicity our program needs.

While this is vastly different than the Albrecht case, it seems our coaches have been able to find some hidden gems but lose them when others take a look out our labors. It would have been great to have him at ASU but it is clearly not to be and it is time to move forward.

[SpeedkingATL]

As far as LOI's go, it's a binding contract and should be honored. If the kid has a personal or family issue then I can see releasing him but if he just changed his mind (which appears to be the case) then why have the LOI in the first place. Also, what type of tampering went on with this kid and other programs after he committed to App?? That's what ESPN and the media should be looking into.

[Maddog1956]

As far as LOI's go, it's a binding contract and should be honored. If the kid has a personal or family issue then I can see releasing him but if he just changed his mind (which appears to be the case) then why have the LOI in the first place. Also, what type of tampering went on with this kid and other programs after he committed to App?? That's what ESPN and the media should be looking into.

I agree, if we have any true information of tampering I'd like to know it and I think ESPN would also. At this point I don't really know what would be worst to hear every time the kid plays.

Sound bite #1) This is the kid that had to attend an extra year of HS because Appla-latch-ian State wouldn't let him out of his LOI.

Sound bite #2) He was original signed by Appla-latch-ian State but was let out of his LOI to attend X.

I think everyone can agree to disagree about which way would hurt the school more...being known not to have the backbone to hold anyone to their LOI, or being known as the hardazz school that makes kids honor their LOI at all cost.

I do think there's some honor in saying we're going to play by the rules...sign a LOI and you're going to AppState...tamper with our player and we're coming after you...but that's just me.

[appgrouch]

In a few years, if players start getting paid, we will be able to sue a recruit for breach and damages for backing out of a Letter and sue other schools for interference in a contract for planting ideas in there head.

In a more rational thought, the NCAA needs to make the rule that you can't sign a letter until half way through the season of your senior year and a lot of head aches would be resolved.

[ASUMountaineer]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294

Over the past 24 hours, a handful of media members have offered their opinions on the situation between Appalachian State University's men's basketball program and Devonte Graham, a student-athlete who signed a binding NCAA National Letter of Intent to attend Appalachian State last November.

We take particular exception to the unsubstantiated and irresponsible opinion of some media members that we are holding a student-athlete "hostage." With his family's blessing and support, Devonte Graham willingly and excitedly chose to sign a National Letter of Intent with Appalachian State last November after having the opportunity to be recruited by 351 NCAA Division I programs. Furthermore, if he thought that a more desirable situation might arise in the future, he also had the option to wait until the late signing period in April to make his college choice. Since he chose to sign a binding Letter of Intent with Appalachian State, we stopped recruiting a large number of student-athletes at his position in his class who would have been grateful for the opportunity to receive a full scholarship to attend and play basketball at our great institution.

As our coaching staff fully expected, Devonte had a terrific senior season last winter and, accordingly, drew the interest of programs from what are widely recognized as "power conferences." However, due to his binding agreement with Appalachian State, other programs were not permitted by NCAA rules to contact him, be it directly or through people claiming to represent his interests. Due to our concerns that these rules were not followed and the fact that we had turned away all other potential student-athletes that could have capably filled his spot on the roster, we denied his request for a release from his binding Letter of Intent. We also made the NCAA aware of our concerns.

On the contrary to the opinion that we are holding a student-athlete "hostage," we feel like we are acting in the best interests of all student-athletes and Division I programs that operate under the principle that a National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement meant to be upheld by both the student-athlete and the institution. When that principle is not upheld by a small number of people with selfish motives, it is to the detriment of the student-athlete, the vast majority of Division I institutions (particularly mid-major programs) and all of college basketball.

While we understand that it is en vogue for the media to hammer away at the perceived bureaucracy of the NCAA, recruiting rules and guidelines are in place to protect student-athletes and NCAA institutions alike. Without them, recruiting would be utter chaos. Also, while we greatly appreciate the advocacy of the national media covering men's basketball, especially related to reforms in recruiting practices as a whole, we are confident that those who have shared their opinions over the past 24 hours are not aware of the full circumstances in this particular situation. If all of the facts regarding the situation and how it has unfolded since last spring were to come to light, we believe that the opinions that we are holding a student-athlete "hostage" would change. It would be very disappointing if not.

All of that being said, the situation is now in the hands of the NCAA and will be resolved by its governance. Therefore, we will not have any further comment on the matter.

[Maddog1956]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294

I think they pretty well summed it up to my satisfaction.

[Gonzo]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294

Wow. A relatively reactive PR move. SOOO App State.

[Appsolutely]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294

Wow. A relatively reactive PR move. SOOO App State.

I have to agree. I have no problem with the statement, but why is it that our administrators can't be more proactive about these things? Do we always have to wait until somebody stirs the s--t pot?

[bcoach]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294
Well said and they are within their rights. Now let the kid go he is only going to be a problem. There is a difference between being right and doing the right thing for your program.

[appgrouch]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294
Well said and they are within their rights. Now let the kid go he is only going to be a problem. There is a difference between being right and doing the right thing for your program.

It sounds like it may not be their call at this point. From what the statement said it may be that the NCAA is investigating it and we can't do anything until they say something.

[bcoach]

App State speaks:

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209269294
Well said and they are within their rights. Now let the kid go he is only going to be a problem. There is a difference between being right and doing the right thing for your program.

It sounds like it may not be their call at this point. From what the statement said it may be that the NCAA is investigating it and we can't do anything until they say something.

That may be true. Too bad it got to this point.

[hapapp]

Nothing would stop us from releasing him. The NCAA can still investigate regardless of what we do. We know he will never play here. I understand the principle involved but I don't think this is in the best interest of ASU basketball. Seems we could be burning a lot of bridges here.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of the NCAA investigation.

[app123]

THIS HAS GONE TO FAR

"We absolutely didn't tamper," N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried told ESPN's Andy Katz. "We had zero contact with the kid. He played with my son. I went out of my way not to (contact)."




http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... ter-intent

[moehler]

Jeff Goodman of ESPN tweeted that NC State is the school in question that the NCAA is investigating, he actually had a "middle ground answer" to the problem, App releases him with the stipulation that he cant sign with NC State, I think that's a good common sense way to get out of this problem, we save face, shows we have a backbone, and the kid can go play somewhere else. I don't know if legally this can be done, Im sure State, if proven not to have interfered, would raise hell. It would probably never happen, but it does open up one way to get out of this mess, sit down with the kid and family, reach a compromise, we release him, he signs a letter that he will not play for a list of schools provided by App.

[appalum2003]

I don't understand some of you guys...

It's OK because we're just a little tiny school in little tiny Boone?

Should Capel and his staff be punished because all of a sudden the kid realized "crap, I'm better than I thought... I should go to Butler instead of where I already said I'd go! Who cares if they stopped recruiting my position?"

It's the same stupid mentality that's killing this country. No one honors what they say anymore. Everyone looks out for what's best for themselves and that's it. I know that ASU was referring to the schools that CLEARLY broke the rules and let Devonte know they would give him a scholly when the word "selfish" was used, but the kid is being VERY selfish here.

[Appsolutely]

THIS HAS GONE TO FAR

"We absolutely didn't tamper," N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried told ESPN's Andy Katz. "We had zero contact with the kid. He played with my son. I went out of my way not to (contact)."




http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketb ... ter-intent

Next thing we'll hear about is Capel's Tar Hole background and how that might be playing a part in this, since it concerns Moo U. The media will love that angle.

[app123]

Tampering will be hard to prove, Graham and Gott son played for Broughton and Garner Road AAU. Of course has seen him play. Just release and move on. I said earlier seems like Capel's trying to save his own a** on this one. The kid is already going to miss this season due to backing out LOI, Why punish him for 2 yrs?
He knows this kid would have gotten him the contract extension



Dwayne West ‏@garnerroad 2h
@JayBilas App St never mentioned their Coach said come for one year "help put us on the map - I'll personally help you go somewhere else"

[moonshine]

This is getting good! Most comments following the articles seem to side with App. Things like, "It's a binding contract. Kid should have waited instead of signing early. Made your bed, now lie in it. Coaches probably quit recruiting his position after he signed and missed on some players who would have gladly accepted an offer." Now I'm not normally one who rails on kids and believe they should go where they want to but I find myself supporting Capel in this situation.

[moehler]

appalum2003, from a philosophical I agree 100% the kid has admitted he doesn't want to go to App because of very selfish reasons, and I strongly believe he should honor his commitment or atleast pay a price for leaving, but like I said before, I would be satisfied to let him go if he signs an agreement keeping him from playing for certain schools. Its not a great solution for us, but atleast we could save face. As far as Gotfried saying he didn't directly contact the kid, I believe him, but that doesn't mean someone connected to the program, ie: a booster didn't reach out this kid. There is just no way Im buying that he wasn't contacted in some informal manner. appalum2003, like you I also wonder if because we are considered a low to mid major, that there is a double standard going on here, I wonder if this happen at NC, Duke, or Kentucky, would there be this kind of negative attention on their programs

[MAD Doctor]

If he suddenly thinks he's too good for us- fine, he can go somewhere else. However, HIS mistake has cost us a shot at other good players, so he should sit out a year and lose a year of eligibility. It is not only fair, it is the rule.