UK 200K?

Anthony Davis is a 6'10" Power Forward out of Chicago, and was recently ranked as the #1 player in the 2011 rankings. Anthony Davis is high on UK's list, and the feeling is apparently reciprocated.

And then on Wednesday, August 4th, Michael O'Brien of the Chicago-Sun Times writes an article regarding Davis's upcoming announcement to join fellow #1 ranked player Michael Gilchrist, and top-ranked PG Marquis Teague in forming the greatest recruiting class of all-time and play for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2011.

In the story, O'Brien states that "rumors that Davis' commitment is for sale have surfaced since he cut his list of schools down about a month ago." O'Brien continues with,

"The rumors/sources that have Davis choosing Kentucky are also alleging that the commitment cost $200,000."

Wait, repeat that again.

"The rumors/sources that have Davis choosing Kentucky are also alleging that the commitment cost $200,000."

Surely, the master of pushing the envelope John Calipari wouldn't be bold enough to do something like this, would he? Since his past isn't exactly squeaky clean, and he's now at the "greatest tradition in college basketball", his every move is under the microscope. Why would Calipari have to pay kids to come to Camelot?

Well, not so fast Mr. O'Brien. Kentucky, as expected, has fired back with the threat of legal action due to the "continued lack of professionalism and responsible journalism exhibited by Michael O'Brien and the Chicago-Sun Times in running yet another false and defamatory story....regarding the University's recruitment of a high school student-athlete."

Additionally, the Sun-Times story also cited unidentified sources in saying that the NCAA was "checking" into the recruitment of Davis. UK claims that this was a mischaracterization of the situation.

Upon first glance, this appears to be another no name writer taking aim at a high-profile coach like John Calipari. And in the end, this situation may end up being much ado about nothing.

However, another train of thought suggests that while the full details of the situation may not be known at this time, it does make you wonder if there isn't some shred of truth here. Anthony Davis has skyrocketed to the top of the rankings in just one summer, so of course teams including Ohio State, Syracuse, and UK are in the mix for his services.

Calipari's past suggests that wrong-doing here is not out of the realm of possibility. In fact, the Sun-Times has stood by its story, stating that "sources from three separate universities told the Sun-Times that Davis' dad Anthony Davis Sr. asked for money in return for his son's commitment, with the amounts ranging from $125,000 to $150,000."

But don't fret Cat fans, I'm sure this incident will end up the same way the Eric Bledsoe situation does. Calipari will end up scott-free, leaving UK in a cloud of rubble and dare I say it, V-A-C-A-T-E-D!