This constitutes an interesting twist on things.
After weighing his options and trying to figure out the best path for his development, Khem Birch has decided to forgo his year of post grad at Notre Dame Prep, and instead head to Pittsburgh next year. “I decided that the best thing for my development was to begin my college career next year” said Khem. “I’m going to go to college where I will be a 3/4. I just feel that I have a better chance to develop my skills on the perimeter at the next level than I do with another year of high school.”
According to the story, Birch has already signed his LOI with Pitt. Evan Daniels at Scout.com finds the source credible, so this isn’t someone pulling stuff out of their ass.
Obviously this just jumps starts the speculation as to who could be out. Will one of the other signees for the 2011 class not qualify academically? Someone on the squad transferring? I don’t know. Really don’t want to speculate on that aspect right now. These things do have a way of sorting themselves out, and I hate the idea of players being run off teams. I don’t care how talented the other kid is.
The fact that Birch has returned to his 2011 classification is more interesting to me. Birch has already been expected to be a one-and-done player. But coming to college a year early could be considered risky. Of course if he is already dominating in high school and there is legitimate belief that his development will not be furthered by a year of prep school, then he should get to college now. That is, assuming he can handle the academics.
The real reason, though, could be the looming NBA labor war. Lockout or not, there has already been talk/speculation that the NBA could make the waiting period for kids two years rather than one. If so, Birch is prudently getting to college sooner rather than later. Get started now, and when he would have still been a one-and-done after a year of prep school, he’s still ready to declare with two years at Pitt.
We will see.
1. An athletic scholarship is just like an academic scholarship — if you don’t perform at the appropriate level i.e. don’t make grades or play well, you lose your scholarship.
2. It’s reciprocal — where’s the outrage when a player leaves early for the NBA, thus breaking their contract with the team? This costs coach’s jobs, and can set programs back several years.
3. Playing D-1 athletics is not a right, it’s a privilege. If you can’t play at this level, then why should teams continue to carry you if you’ve proven that you are ultimately dead weight?
Like I said, a little odd, I mean does he run this by Coach Dixon at all? As everyone is aware, we were already +1 and now we need to find room for another. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.
On the court I’m curious on how this will effect things. KB needs to start, obviously, so whats does the line-up look like next year (Woodall, Gibbs, Nasir/Zanna, Birch, Taylor)? Or does Dixon follow his own instruction manual and bring him off the bench?
Frankcan – i asked the same question on an earlier post and apparantly redshirts still count against the school’s scholarship total so it wouldn’t make a difference.
HAil2Pitt/wbb – yeah, its part of the deal, also any of Pitt’s current players or recruits will get picked up by another program. but, it’s gonna be wrenching given the quality of guys we’d have to give, who’d stay 4 yrs, for a star who’ll be one and done. Something has to give because the team we could have next year (and the yr after)– a mature Woodall, Taylor, Moore and Zanna for 2yrs and for 1 yr Gibbs. Man, my head is spinning.
Tough choices, too early to speculate, but I can’t help myself — I don’t see Nas going anywhere as a Senior (Gibbs would be the only Sr left). I don’t see Epps going either, unless John Johnson is a sure thing point guard. We’re loaded at 3/4, so one of Patterson, Richardson or Wright may be the odd man out. Then maybe one of the incoming guys, most like Durand Johnson. I don’t know — like Chas says these things tend to work themselves out.
Woodall — PG
Gibbs — SG
Moore — SF
Zanna — PF
Taylor — C
Nas is great off the bench as an energy guy. Bring Birch off the bench to ease him into the program. As good as this kid is, it isn’t a guarantee is BE ready day one (or maybe we could trick him into thinking he needs two yrs at college level). We’d then have another 4-5 guys that could rotate off the bench. That’s a strong, dynamic line up.
Otherwise, it comes down to which recruits do or don’t qualify and then who on the current squad, including expected redshirts Epps and Wright, is “encouraged” to transfer.
As a Pitt alum, I’d rather see the cut(s) come from the first group, because the kids currently on the team have already dedicated themselves to Pitt by moving away from home, attending classes, practices, etc. But as a Pitt fan, I want the best possible team on the court. It’s a tough decision and I’m glad I’m not the one making it.
Like Chas said, these things have a way of sorting themselves out. Hope it works out well for all involved.
Fittipaldo is now reporting that his prep coach confirmed the story and that Birch sent his letter last week, so that announcement should come soon.
1. J. Bond reclassifies to 2012.
2. Richardson transfers for PT.
in 2011-12: Perimeter game, check! Inside presence, check!
link to rivals.yahoo.com
I’m guessing RI didn’t shoot as well from behind the arc this game.
