I have no problem supplementing our roster with 1-2 international players per season. But, there is way to much better talent in our backyard to ignore and there is no need to create a roster with the majority of international players. This is a huge issue in collegiate men's soccer -- most schools bring in international players that have eligibility. They are often players who were in the pro tract in their country, but eventually get told, this isn't for you anymore. They haven't been paid and can then attend a ncaa d1 school -- they are often older and more mature than your normal 18 year old American freshman -- very attractive in the soccer world. and the kicker --- they are the ones getting all the scholarship money, not the domestic mens soccer player, the money is going to internaional players. Basketball ain't soccer --- The US is king when it comes to depth in basketball talent.
I don't know about soccer but I teach at a very small Liberal School in Missouri and our tennis team looks like the United Nations. We even have a Russian on it. With both the men's and women's team we have one American. But they win at the NAIA level
Svein Dyrkolbotn - Norway Al Horford - Dominican Republic Eloy Vargas - Dominican Republic Christian Drejer - Denmark Egor Koulechov - Russia Samson Ruzhentsev - Russia Andrew Nembhard - Canada John Egbunu - Nigeria Walter Hodge - Puerto Rico David Huertas - Puerto Rico Kenny Kadji - Cameroon Rod Tishman - Israel Gorjok Gak - Australia Joakim Noah - represented France internationally Nick Calathes - represented Greece internationally
There are no tax dollars supporting foreign athletes scholarships at UF. Every cent of scholarship money is earned by the UAA at Florida by way of ticket sales, donations, or TV rights. No public money from tax dollars are ever used by UF or any other SEC school towards athletic scholarships.
If we have 12 foreign players I'd be fine. The amount of 7-foot shooters in Eastern Europe alone is mind-boggling. Maybe we can finally compete with the pay-to-play Kentucky and Auburn etc players we have to play against each year.
Failing to recruit internationally only hurts those who don’t. The sport is global now and I hope we take advantage of it.
Article in today's Orlando Sentinel lists Tony Richardson as one of 7 finalist for Florida Mr. Basketball; UF signee in football also expected to play basketball for Gators.
Exactly....I wish my tax money could go to the UAA lol, but I don't think that would fly. And as we well know, out tennis teams have successfully utilized international talent extensively. As has track, volleyball, golf, swimming (pretty glad Anthony Nesty made his way to UF), soccer, gymnastics...it's a big world out there.
I'll refrain from detail in order to avoid this going too hot, but I'd straight up trade some international students for ours.
In the past decade, Florida has been unable to land "Florida Mr. Basketball". Programs like North Carolina, Duke, & Kentucky have been raiding the state for its very best basketball players (see below). The last significant one that UF was able to land was 2x winner Nick Calathes! Florida needs to do a better job of getting players from the state of Florida, too. Former Mr Florida-Basketball (that had also attended UF): Nick Calathes (2006, 2007) Ray Shipman (2008) - transfered to UCF Chris Richard (2003) Orion Green (2000) transferred to UL-Lafayette Teddy Dupay (1998) LeRon Williams (1994) transferred to ?S.Carolina Johnny Walker (1988) transferred to Miss.St Vernon Maxwell (1984) The One's that got away, North Carolina (Mr. Florida Basketball): Tony Bradley (2016) Joel Berry II (2012, 2013, 2014) Vince Carter (1995) <--UF's loss ushered in the "Donovan Era!" Clifford Rozier (1990) - transfered to Louisville NC State Chris Corchiani (1986, 1987) - Norm Sloan wanted him badly but ended up with Jim Valveno. LSU: Antonio Blackeney (2015) Duke: Vernon Carey, jr (2018, 2019) Austin Rivers (2011) Kentucky: Kevin Knox (2017) Brandon Knight (2009, 2010) Florida Mr. Basketball - Wikipedia
I respect you Davis ! You are level headed and a tremendous poster ! I wish I was open minded about things as u are . But I’m not . I have a lot of shortcomings and a litany of bullet points . But I’m a bit drunk at the moment and if I start now they will ban me forever and it would make this board better • addition by subtraction !
I’m going bigger picture! But I hear ya. Obviously I have issues ! About a lot of things . Better not start
