Mississippi State standout freshman Rodney Hood will be seeking a transfer, opting not to stick around to see what the Rick Ray era will bring.It's interesting news for the Cardinals, who were on Hood's short list along with Florida State on his first go-round. Fresh off a Final Four run (and a Florida State fizzle) now may be a fortuitous moment to find favor with the finicky former five-star forward.
This is all just speculation based on Hood's previous recruitment, there's no official word on where he is looking, but no one would be surprised to see Louisville get back into the mix. He's a tremendous talent, a rangy 6'8'', averaging better than 10 points a game last season and was named to the Freshman All-SEC team.
Should the Cards land him, after sitting out a season, Hood would join rising star Anton Gill to form a solid base and injection of talent for the class of 2013.
**UPDATE**
I'm well aware this would eat a scholarship that we currently don't have to offer. It would take finagling (a la Kuric) or require a transfer from someone like Rakeem Buckles, Kevin Ware, or Elisha Justice, which I have no inside info on, but isn't exactly outside the realm of possibility.
I watched him play a bunch last season and was impressed, a real smart player. Hes a stringbean tho that will need to get on the Gorgui diet. He reminds me of a Swopshire type but with way more raw talent. I hope we get him, he would really benefit from sitting out the year and learning the system and growing into his body. He definitely has and NBA skill set.
ReplyDeleteIs he being guarded by Luke Whitehead's inbred cousin in that pic???
ReplyDeleteI don't see it. UofL's roster is too packed as is and RP won't take the PR hit after being criticized about pushing Swop out the door. Bringing Hood would require pushing another player out the door, either Buckles at his medical lowpoint, or Bullet, who has been most loyal. RP can't afford another move like that, it contradicts everything he claims to be about now with the Louisville first schtick.
ReplyDeletePoint taken, but at this stage in his career, I don't think Rick Pitino gives a crap about "PR hits". I do believe he cares about Louisville First, however ham-handed his promotion of it at times. My point is it may be in a player's interest to transfer, because like you said, we're at peak roster at the moment. If Justice, for example, wanted to finish his career where he could play more minutes, then Hood to the Cards would still be very viable.
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