Hamga in limbo

[LoboMike]

RPS saw this one coming...

http://www.lvrj.com/sports/9780702.html

[Remus Lupin]

Well, if misery loves company, then we shouldn't be feeling very alone right now. Still, this is unfortunate. Hamga's academics never seemed iffy in the first place. Is the NCAA simply being more careful these days?

[LoBo LoCo]

There is a lot of bitterness in that article. Tough luck. IMO, parents should really consider stability for their children especially with regards to academics...you never know it could affect them playing "ball" in the future.

[LoboMike]

He blew it by listening to that jerk Alan Huss and not following the UNM staff. The UNM staff never thought he would get cleared for this year. They always saw him as a 2008 recruit.

[Mark]

I got blasted when I told them and got called everyname in the book. Guess I'm a idiot.

[T-Rebel]

Never called you an idiot. But I will say when I was researching the whole situation, I was told point blank by both Lon Kruger and Beas Hamga that it was a formality at this point and that everything was going to get cleared. They both said that all his paperwork was legit and that the NCAA should have no problem with it.

Whenever I asked you who told you that information you couldn't say. At that point, who am I supposed to believe. We are still a month away and Hamga is taking classes currently at UNLV so the final nail hasn't been hammered in quite yet.

[LoboMike]

We thought Hobson was a sure thing, as well, and he should've been, but you never know with the NCAA. Hobson had everything in order, just got in the paperwork kind of late and we got burned by that. Realistically, Hamga should have been a 2008 recruit all along, where he would have been much more of a sure thing to qualify. I can understand his frustration with those who tried to get him cleared this year.

[Roob]

Can you imagine what we'd be feeling like right now if we'd gotten commitments from both Hobson and Hamga?? Woulda' felt like a death blow.

[T-Rebel]

I actually think Hamga had a better chance to qualify than Hobson. Although, I spoke to Darrington about two months ago and didn't think there was going to be a problem with his either and was excited to be a Lobo.

[LoboMike]

I actually think Hamga had a better chance to qualify than Hobson. Although, I spoke to Darrington about two months ago and didn't think there was going to be a problem with his either and was excited to be a Lobo.

They both moved around quite a bit. I figured the Cameroon classes would end up being a problem for Hamga. Turns out, they are. I think both will qualify somewhere eventually (Darington through juco), but it was tough for both this year. I wouldn't hold my breath on anyone Alan Huss is trying to get eligible. Both UNM and UNLV found that out.

[T-Rebel]

I will put it like this. I don't think it is the Cameroon classes that are holding him up.

[LoBo LoCo]

I will put it like this. I don't think it is the Cameroon classes that are holding him up.


What do you think is holding up the decision???

[LoboMike]

I will put it like this. I don't think it is the Cameroon classes that are holding him up.

Who knows. It could be Decatur Christian, which could maybe help explain Darington, as well.

[Loboexpat]

I will put it like this. I don't think it is the Cameroon classes that are holding him up.

Would you put it like this: "Huss screwed these kids."

[T-Rebel]

I'm not saying anything except that there are two very disappointed kids in Hobson and Hamga that thought they were shoe-ins to be eligible. Hobson found out he wasn't already, Hamga is still hoping that he will be.

[Yakkacat25]

Never called you an idiot. But I will say when I was researching the whole situation, I was told point blank by both Lon Kruger and Beas Hamga that it was a formality at this point and that everything was going to get cleared. They both said that all his paperwork was legit and that the NCAA should have no problem with it.

Whenever I asked you who told you that information you couldn't say. At that point, who am I supposed to believe. We are still a month away and Hamga is taking classes currently at UNLV so the final nail hasn't been hammered in quite yet.

RPS has respect for his sources. Giving up sources is no no. RPS has credible sources.

[T-Rebel]

Whether credible or not is not the question. I would hope he would have credible sources. He is in the wrong business if he doesn't my friend. But I can't go by a computer moniker over the player and the coach.

I've been a sportswriter for a long time and have covered professional football and baseball, college sports at the highest level and high school sports at the highest level. If I didn't question him, I wouldn't be doing my job properly.

[Garishwolf]

Great info again MIKE. HUSSssss.....snake. Hustlering snake in the grass coverin his own ass.

[Mark]

Treb, do you go as Jspitliro(sp) too? From what I know of you you've always been a good fan and I'm not not pointing you out but just about everyone called me just about everything. I don't care really but its was first hand info in the recruiting world that he wouldn't make it for this year. I'm not sure the logic of recruiting a player you know won't make it but I'm sure we had a plan if he did come here. Lon is a very well connected so I highly doubt he didn't know this too.

[T-Rebel]

No, I go as T.E. Parker. We had heard early that he could have problems but then after talking with Beas and Lon they both told me without hesitation that it would be able to get done. I don't think Beas would be so upset right now if he didn't truly believe that he would make it.

Lon isn't necessarily connected strongly in the recruiting world because he hates doing it, but you have to take his word whenever it is his own player. You may be more in the national recruiting loop than Lon is I suppose.

Even though Darrington wasn't likely, I'm sure that Alford was planning it would go through. I know Darrington thought it would when I talked to him last.

[T-Rebel]

And if the last time you talked to Lon about Beas he told you he wouldn't be eligible I would take exception to that because that isn't what he told me.

[Dr.M]

Initially the UNM staff rated Hobson as 75% likely to qualify. I don't know what they felt about Hamga.

[Mark]

I wouldn't go that far! LoL but from was I know it was well known. Onny who really knows is Lon himself. On a side not, Huss is a POS and many have lost respect for his 2 faced ways. I hear some won't even stand in the same room as him.

[Yakkacat25]

Whether credible or not is not the question. I would hope he would have credible sources. He is in the wrong business if he doesn't my friend. But I can't go by a computer moniker over the player and the coach.

I've been a sportswriter for a long time and have covered professional football and baseball, college sports at the highest level and high school sports at the highest level. If I didn't question him, I wouldn't be doing my job properly.

RPS has very credible sources! I attend AAU tournaments in the summer and attend the University of Arizona. I'm an independent scout and I can tell you that RPS has credible sources. Whether he chooses to give up his sources is his choice. That's fine if you cannot agree with what I'm saying...just because you're a sportswriter doesn't mean RPS is gonna give his sources up! RPS knows all the assistant coaches very well and he's got some impressive sources. This is not a newspaper...this is UNM site. I respect RPS and his sources...because every source he's talk to is involved in the recruiting process. Maybe I trust because I know of the people he's talked to. -

[LIDOakaLJT]

My $0.02 --- I just feel bad for the players because they're so upbeat about playing D1 college ball and then an entity like the NCAA Clearinghouse takes their sweet-*ss time to say "No, you're not qualified" or say nothing at all ... That just sucks!!! Hopefully both kids are able to continue with school and bball this coming year (wherever that may be!).


GO LOBOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[T-Rebel]

"That's fine if you cannot agree with what I'm saying...just because you're a sportswriter doesn't mean RPS is gonna give his sources up!"

I never disagreed with what you are saying not sure you got that. I asked him if there was anybody I could call, he said no, and I said O.K. I have to trust in what Lon and Beas are telling me at that point. I'm sure if Lute Olson and Brandon Jennings told you something and I said that it wasn't true, you would probably take their word for it, right? I would hope so.

Recruiting is a very dirty business, but basketball recruiting is the dirtiest. If you are around the AAU circuit as much as you say, you know this. Lon has done a good job of recruiting solid student athletes during his tenure here so I have no reason to not trust him when he tells me something, specifically whenever I ask about it.

[Loboexpat]

I'm not saying anything except that there are two very disappointed kids in Hobson and Hamga that thought they were shoe-ins to be eligible. Hobson found out he wasn't already, Hamga is still hoping that he will be.

If you ever get tired of sports journalism you should be a political spokesperson. You have a knack for saying the least with maximum amount of words. :rolleyes:

[PHILLY_1982]

So my question in all this is, what are the chances Beas will play at UNLV.

From the get go, he sounds very immpressionable. Sounds like alot of people were talking to him, and telling him stuff.

He should have came to UNM. SA would have took care of him.

Good luck to Beas.

[Yakkacat25]

"That's fine if you cannot agree with what I'm saying...just because you're a sportswriter doesn't mean RPS is gonna give his sources up!"

I never disagreed with what you are saying not sure you got that. I asked him if there was anybody I could call, he said no, and I said O.K. I have to trust in what Lon and Beas are telling me at that point. I'm sure if Lute Olson and Brandon Jennings told you something and I said that it wasn't true, you would probably take their word for it, right? I would hope so.

Recruiting is a very dirty business, but basketball recruiting is the dirtiest. If you are around the AAU circuit as much as you say, you know this. Lon has done a good job of recruiting solid student athletes during his tenure here so I have no reason to not trust him when he tells me something, specifically whenever I ask about it.

Coach Olson has been in the business long enough that he has valuable expereince that I do not have. He's seen things that I haven't. Coach has told me on many occassions on some of the recruiting practices that he doesn't agree with and I've witnessed them first hand. It's one thing to know people who are credible who RPS has talked to. It's quite another to question someone when they don't know what they're talking about. Brandon is a very likeable kid who was honest and upfront. He will start right away and he realizes that you have to earn you're playing time like everyone else...and Brandon understands that!

I've seen some really shady recruiting methods on who AAU coaches talk to and why they guide thier players in the direction they do. Alan Huss for one...I don't think he had Beas best interest at heart. I hope it works out for Beas at UNLV...because he seems like a great kid. I've got a lot respect for Coach Kruger....he's done a great job. I've seen some things at AAU tournaments that really comes in to question what some guys have any buisiness being AAU coaches. Coach Walker is an exception...he has his his players best interest at heart. I know some other AAU coaches who don't have thier players best interest at heart. I had heard that Beas would have troubles qualifying...the NCAA has really layed down the hammer on how careful they are when they clear student-athletes to a college of thier choice. Coach Kruger is one of the good guys in the ranks of college basketball.

[T-Rebel]

...the NCAA has really layed down the hammer on how careful they are when they clear student-athletes to a college of thier choice.

As opposed to a college that isn't their choice? Not sure what you are trying to say by this comment.

Also, like I said if Lute, who I'm guessing is one of the closest coaches you have contact with, tells you something. And then someone else tells you something completely different, who would you believe? That is what I was asking.

[Mark]

As opposed to a college that isn't their choice? Not sure what you are trying to say by this comment.

Also, like I said if Lute, who I'm guessing is one of the closest coaches you have contact with, tells you something. And then someone else tells you something completely different, who would you believe? That is what I was asking.

I understand what your saying and I agree with you. I just took exception with people telling me I was a idiot! Wait, maybe I am! :D

All kidding aside, Welcome to the site T-Reb!

[EastMtnLobo]

To quote the article: "But if Hamga is not granted eligibility by Oct. 15, the last day he can enroll as a full-time student at UNLV, he cannot play during the fall semester."

Question: Why is it Beas gets until October 15th and Hobson only got till last week?

[T-Rebel]

I'm fairly certain it is because Beas is going to UNLV as a part-time student right now.

[Loboexpat]

To quote the article: "But if Hamga is not granted eligibility by Oct. 15, the last day he can enroll as a full-time student at UNLV, he cannot play during the fall semester."

Question: Why is it Beas gets until October 15th and Hobson only got till last week?

I don't know what they're referencing, according to UNLV's academic calendar the last day to enroll was August 31st, October 15th is mid-term.

[Loboexpat]

I'm fairly certain it is because Beas is going to UNLV as a part-time student right now.

How can he be enrolled as a part-time student if he's not eligible to enroll at the university?

[LoboMike]

How can he be enrolled as a part-time student if he's not eligible to enroll at the university?

He can be enrolled at the university if they accept him. He's not cleared by the NCAA, so he can't participate with the team or accept an athletic scholarship.

[Loboexpat]

He can be enrolled at the university if they accept him. He's not cleared by the NCAA, so he can't participate with the team or accept an athletic scholarship.

Who's paying for his classes? School ain't free.

[Yakkacat25]

As opposed to a college that isn't their choice? Not sure what you are trying to say by this comment.

Also, like I said if Lute, who I'm guessing is one of the closest coaches you have contact with, tells you something. And then someone else tells you something completely different, who would you believe? That is what I was asking.

My point being is that the NCAA has stepped it up in being more strict in checking transcripts from student-athletes who attend various high schools....or so I was told!

It depends on who that somebody else is. Have you spoke with Coach Olson? He's very candid and to the point...he doesn't dance around the issue. Of course Coach Olson has different opinions on different issues than I do...what I do is see it from his perspective so that I can understand where he's coming from. It's not a question of who I believve...and if someone tells me something completely different I do the same until I find out differently. And of course a different person has to gain my trust first...with certain people I'm very guarded!

[Loboexpat]

I found this to be interesting in the NCAA's guide for prospective student athletes. If you're willing to sit out your first year and go to school with need-based financial aid (like Fed loans, Pell grants, etc.) - you could still play at a Div I or II school. You don't get that year of eligibility back, though, so you'd have three years of eligibility - unless you make up 80% of the requirements you were lacking, then you get the fourth year.

The wording is somewhat vague, but it also says "cannot receive an athletics scholarship during the first year of college" - does it imply that after sitting out the first year you could receive a scholly?

I was under the impression that either a kid qualified or they didn't, I didn't realize that they didn't have to qualify to play as long as they sat out a year.

http://www.ncaa.org/library/general/cbsa/2007-08/2007-08_cbsa.pdf

[Loboexpat]

He can be enrolled at the university if they accept him. He's not cleared by the NCAA, so he can't participate with the team or accept an athletic scholarship.

By the way, good point MIke, I wasn't thinking of it that way.:nerdy

[Yakkacat25]

I found this to be interesting in the NCAA's guide for prospective student athletes. If you're willing to sit out your first year and go to school with need-based financial aid (like Fed loans, Pell grants, etc.) - you could still play at a Div I or II school. You don't get that year of eligibility back, though, so you'd have three years of eligibility - unless you make up 80% of the requirements you were lacking, then you get the fourth year.

The wording is somewhat vague, but it also says "cannot receive an athletics scholarship during the first year of college" - does it imply that after sitting out the first year you could receive a scholly?

I was under the impression that either a kid qualified or they didn't, I didn't realize that they didn't have to qualify to play as long as they sat out a year.

Kids like Hamga can attend UNLV and get cleared for the following year. It's a good thing...at least Hamga is attending classes at UNLV. I doubt Hobson could've done the same!

[Loboexpat]

Kids like Hamga can attend UNLV and get cleared for the following year. It's a good thing...at least Hamga is attending classes at UNLV. I doubt Hobson could've done the same!

Why not Hobson?

[Yakkacat25]

Why not Hobson?

Because worked hard and got all of his requirements for Clearence. Hobson didn't do that...hopefully he learned his lesson and works hard in JC.

[judas_priest]

This distinction between October 15th for Hamga and August 31st for Hobson may be due to the fact that Hamga is already enrolled - he would merely be adding a class. Hobson would have to enroll first.

[Yakkacat25]

This distinction between October 15th for Hamga and August 31st for Hobson may be due to the fact that Hamga is already enrolled - he would merely be adding a class. Hobson would have to entoll first.

The reason why Hobson didn't really enroll because he missed the deadline and didn't take care of what he needed to in terms of paperwork! Thats what was explained to me!

[Hoser]

My $0.02 --- I just feel bad for the players because they're so upbeat about playing D1 college ball and then an entity like the NCAA Clearinghouse takes their sweet-*ss time to say "No, you're not qualified" or say nothing at all ... That just sucks!!! Hopefully both kids are able to continue with school and bball this coming year (wherever that may be!).
!

Lido, my wife is a registrar for APS, and I asked her how difficult it is to get transcripts from transfer students for inclusion into an APS school. She said, to try and decipher some of those transcripts is not as easy as most people think. Schools use different methods for giving credits. some use quarters some use semesters and other use full credits not to mention a variety of inventive methods of giving students credit.

When a student transfers more than once it creates even more problems figuring out how much to assign each course credit. She said it is amazing what some schools try and pass off for English credits and Math credits. It seems like most people seem to think all the schools use the same system for measuring credit earned. After listening to some examples of some transfer students into APS I can see how the Clearing House does not have a cut and dried case on clearing students.

Both Hamga and Hobson had multiple transfers so that in itself would create some problems trying to figure out how much each credit was worth and so on. Sometimes we as fans want to see everything as black and white and ask WHY can't the clearing house just say OK your eligible go play for UNLV or UNM. It's just not as easy as some of us want it to be.

[LoboMike]

Hobson could have enrolled at UNM and hoped he got cleared, like Hamga is doing at UNLV. Hobson chose not to because he would have had to pay his own way in doing so.

[Yakkacat25]

Hobson could have enrolled at UNM and hoped he got cleared, like Hamga is doing at UNLV. Hobson chose not to because he would have had to pay his own way in doing so.

He could've but I'm not sure he was willing to wait that out! Hopefully Darrington does well in JC. And maybe just maybe the coaching staff will re-consider him!

[Loboexpat]

This distinction between October 15th for Hamga and August 31st for Hobson may be due to the fact that Hamga is already enrolled - he would merely be adding a class. Hobson would have to enroll first.

He'd have to petition the dean or get some kind of waiver because you can't just add a class after the deadline for enrollment has passed.

I had to go through this process due to paperwork SNAFU's during grad school. You can't just enroll in the middle of the semester, it has to go through channels. Now, maybe they're willing to do that for Hamga for some reason, I don't know.