Aleksander Vezenkov signs with XU

[Hnoz]

Great job Mack!

[xuhuh!]

Does the X staff keep in touch with former players who are playing overseas about possible prospects like this?

[Letskeepitreal]

One of the previous linked articles mentioned that this kid went to an American International School. If this is the case this is a good sign as these schools are geared towards high academics and designed to get kids of diplomats, multinational company execs and kids of military brass as well as well connected locals into top notch schools in the US. These are designed around an International Baccaleureate (Sp?) program and often these schools have more Ivy league kids than almost any school you will see here in the US. Bodes well for getting through any NCAA clearing house. The question is will he go to college here in the US or go pro in Europe. My bet is with X and at least a few years in the Big East

[thecoach]

Don't count on it. The "school" is generally not the complication with European players, it's the basketball leagues they play in. A poor man's version of the aau and prof basketball wrapped into one. The ncaa didn't used to look at it, but they have taken very rigid standards as it relates to that part of the world the past 4 or 5 years. The comment from the father regarding eligibility etc. scares me. Anyone who claims in Europe to know the ncaa rules is almost asking for trouble. I' think the ncaa is making those rules up as they go along.

[muskieman]

it is all speculation at this point. No one on here knows the rules and how the NCAA will apply them...sometimes they don't even know. Coach could be just as wrong as Let'skeepit real but AV is worth the gamble. People saying he will not qualifying are setting up their "see I told you" post and if he is qualified they will say they knew it all the time.

[jct1941]

The article on AV also said that his sister went to Univ. of North Carolina Wilmington a few years ago (I assume on a scholarship) and his father is a GM/coach so he could very well be versed in what it takes for his son to be eligible. In fact, the article states that the father was very careful to make should his son had the option of coming to the U.S. for college. It will probably come down to how much money he can make in Europe. Go Xavier!

[Letskeepitreal]

Question is if he doesn't make it is was the Abel transfer good for us when he has to sit for a year? Are we happy with the talent of next years team? I think we're still short a big man and would have been better of getting an eligible transfer

[thecoach]

real that is a very "real" assesment. as has been the case, let's wait until september to see who is in the house and able to play.

[muncie69]

My bet is if a good big man would appear, then one, of our less likely to ever get much playing time, would disappear.

[Letskeepitreal]

Pretty late to be running kids out of town. I would like to think that X is better than that and honor their commitment they've made to kids. I'm a little amazed that programs like UK or IU can basically run kids of or encourage kids to leave. Some kids may also be leaving if they think they won't get enough playing time. Maybe I'm naive...