The NCAA is looking into Kentucky signee Nerlens Noel, according to a report in Wednesday’s New York Times.
According to the story, NCAA investigators Cindi Merrill and Frank Smith went to Everett (Mass.) High School on Tuesday and met with principal Louis Baldi for more than an hour regarding “concerns we had as adults,” Baldi told the paper. The 6-foot-10 Noel, the No.1 prospect in the Class of 2012, spent his first two years of high school at Everett before transferring to The Tilton (N.H.) School.
“I didn’t get any sense,” Baldi told the paper. “It was a conversation, very collegial. That was really it. They didn’t ask me any investigative-type questions.”
The report said the NCAA investigators also called Leo Papile, the director of the Boston Area Basketball Club, Noel’s former AAU team.
The NCAA is looking into Noel’s relationship with former Providence assistant Chris Driscoll, who has mentored Noel through the recruiting process but has triggered concern from Tilton officials, the report said.
The NCAA is also looking into Noel’s relationship with Errol Randolph, a former substitute teacher at Everett who had a link on his LinkedIn page to basketball agent Andy Miller.
Noel took unofficial visits to Kentucky and Louisville and the NCAA planned to look into his finances, the report said.
Tilton headmaster Jim Clements told the paper he had not heard from the NCAA but would cooperate if he did.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned up,” Clements said. “Certain things that they ask us, we’d be happy to answer. Some stuff, we don’t know anything about. I’m sure we would cooperate , though.
Noel reclassified to the Class of 2012 from 2013 and Clements said he expected Noel to graduate next week, but that teachers had to put his “feet to the fire” to make up work and class time missed for all-star games. Clements also told the paper he was unsure if Noel would qualify academically for a scholarship.
“I’m sure there will be a little drama and such is life,” Clements told the paper. “He and family and others were well aware of it when he decided to reclassify. It will get played out, but it won’t be here.”
Noel signed with Kentucky last month.
“I’ve been blessed three times in my career to have a player that can change the game without really scoring with Marcus Camby, Anthony Davis and now Nerlens Noel,” head coach John Calipari said in a release. “I will tell you that Nerlens, just like Anthony, is not a finished product. He’s got a lot of work to do and we have a lot of work to do to get him to where I think he’s capable of being, but he is a special player who I am ecstatic to have an opportunity to work with.”
tullydew / May 9, 2012
Errol Randolph is a known booster/fan for Syracuse University.
He accompanied Noel on his visits to Syracuse-and also brought along Noel’s best friend (Goodluck Okonoboh) and the infamous visit to Miami to Randolph’s place in Miami. He also didn’t reference the dirt that ASM does–which Thamel wrote about in April of 2011 with Kevin Ware’s recruitment.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
another off season, another pete thamel story strying to get cal. sad little man.
when do we see the blog about unc players taking fake classes?
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
Another rabid UK fan, another way of trying to tout Cal as a saint. How stupid does one entire fanbase have to be?
How much longer before we see the end of this program?
/
MuchLuck / May 9, 2012
You may not think Cal is a saint…and maybe he’s not, but UK is much more fair than most schools with the classroom issue. It’s better to have fake classes for everyone than have them only for the players. It may not be “saintly”, but it’s fair.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
and your attempt to crucify him as a sinner is just as rapid. how desperate and obsessed can one fan be?
/
SiJessieWildcat / May 9, 2012
Like I told you before, it is a matter of time before the NCAA gets #kensucky.
The NCAA is sending a LOUD message.
All #kensucky recruits will be investigated ,in great detail.
The NCAA has creditability concerns and they need to clean up all that dirty from Kensucky.
Like I said…. Recruits should stay the F away from Kensucky.
ps- What is worse? Kensucky or Kansas Gangster U
Answer: Both, stay away from those schools.
imo
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
is “kensucky” trending yet?
/
Tusker / May 9, 2012
Every time I hear Cal’s voice on his audio plug on the Dan Patrick show I run and take 4 showers and Purell myself from head to toe.
If James Cameron made a sequel to True Lies Cal should pick up Bill Paxton’s role. What a dirt bag.
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
I actually have no problem with UK as a school. It’s their self-entitled and rather ignorant fanbase as a whole. I’m sure there’s a few reasonable fans out there. However, Cal is the perfect type of used car salesman that can convert the remaining few over to being apart of the collective ignorant.
/
Tusker / May 9, 2012
Calm down juicyfruit, you’re making too much sense. We are all collectively wrong here. The UK fan base has it right.
I wonder if there is one non-UK fan that thinks Cal is a legit and stand up guy, and good for basketball.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
i wonder if there is one non-uk fan who can be honest in what it means to “be good for basketball”.
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
@BostonCat
Before Cal came along, UK was a forgotten wasteland. Whether Cal is clean or not is “highly” debatable. However, UK fans as a whole would have you believe it didn’t take years for you to become relevant again. You in particular talk about being the “needle”, when a few years ago your program even on the radar. Cal speaks of a “Kentucky Effect” to the ignorant fanbase, and you suck it up. I’m sure he’s filed for a trademark on the phrase.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
so thats the problem…uk is good (scary good) and you dont like it. sucks for you i guess.
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
UK days are numbered. We can do this all day. I’m not short of material when it comes to that program.
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
@BostonCat
This forum is CatsPaws. You won’t have many blue tinted glass fans over here. If you can’t handle the truth, I’d suggest you run back and post on that fantasyland.
/
ralburts / May 9, 2012
The NCAA enforcer is Frank Smith! The same Frank Smith from Alexandria Virginia and graduated from Old Dominion. The same Frank Smith that was AAU team mates with John Thompson III in the 80s. So it’s not too far fetched to believe that JT3 may have placed a phone call to a buddy about Nerlens?
/
Tusker / May 9, 2012
What’s good for college basketball? Not having World Wide Wes sitting behind your team on the game’s biggest stage for starters.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
but why tusker? what do you know WWW does that is bad for college basketball?
/
Tusker / May 9, 2012
Aight BostonCat, going to try and look at this objectively: because WWW blurs the lines between professional and amateur athletes. Because it has been speculated that WWW sold Dajuan Wagner to Memphis, and got Milt Wagner a job @ Memphis. And that’s the tip of the ice berg. USA Basketball needs a baby sitter for AI @ the Olympics, grab WWW, he’ll fill the role. The guys just walks in too many circles.
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
WorldwideWes has his hands in the majority of the top ten hs ball players each year. He’ll cut deals where he’ll get a little something off the top of expected future deals for “steering” these players in a certain direction. Whether that be for shoe contracts, CAA purposes or even his own. Cal benefits from having to “babysit” these future pros for one year.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
what do you mean “blur the line between professional and amateur athletics” exactly. who speculates and why? why not just know exactly what you are talking about? wouldnt that make more sense?
if all it takes is speculation to become fact…why cant anybody speculate on anything to fit what they want? and its true because…its been speculated.
and to be fair….when bill self hired mario chamlers dad to a position with his son on the team, that is “blurring the line”. if you are being objective right? you have a problem with self then correct?
if these players WWW “babysits” are so bad….why do all the other coaches want them? fans of those coaches act they are trash, but only after they choose not to go to their school.
seems rather self serving to me.
/
MuchLuck / May 9, 2012
You can’t blame Cal for HS players not being able to go directly to the NBA. He’s just taking advantage of the rule. If the rule were gone, he’d be gone…..and all you Cal bashers….admit it….if you didn’t want to go to college, wouldn’t UK be your choice?
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
i think its funny that fans assume that ones that stay in school do so because “they just love the college experience”. they stay in school because they have no where else to go and the NBA doesn’t want them. if they were lottery picks….they would be out the door.
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
@BostonCat
You’re pretty naive aren’t you? WWW is bad for college sports period.
/
BostonCat / May 9, 2012
not naive, just live in the real world. i think people who think college sports is about academics, graduating in 4 years, “doing it the right way”, are naive.
/
ownby90 / May 9, 2012
BostonCat, are you a senator or congressman by any chance? At least the others on here that post blowhard nonsense know it for what it is, I get the feeling you actually believe the drivel you write.
/
ralburts / May 9, 2012
Just because the NBA want a kid doesn’t mean that its good for a kid at this time. Coach Cal is an adult! This means he should have the child’s best interest a heart because contrary to what you may believe these kids lives are not business deals! His job is an educator on and off the court! I don’t believe he make business deals on his own kids lives so what makes it alright to make deals with other kids? (Test taking money scams)
/
SiJessieWildcat / May 9, 2012
These #kensucky fans believe we are as dump as the NCAA. Not even close.
Everyone remember that Noel was apart of the 2013 recruiting class.
And all of sudden, a deal was struck.
Noel is re-classyfing as a 2012 recruit.
A lot of discussions within a 10 day period.
And YES, kentucky was involved.
Someone representing kentucky was directly involved.
The individual(s) provided assurance that Noel would start for kensucky and many more assurances such as admissions….bla bla.
This kensucky person provides the school’s assurances.
And then steps out of the room.
No need to be present during the sealing of the deal.
However you spin it, Kensucky is involved.
Very clearly.
/
ralburts / May 9, 2012
After that Dick Vitale tells the world how Great Calipari is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/
ralburts / May 9, 2012
There is no way possible John Calipari should still be coaching in the NCAA!
/
Tusker / May 9, 2012
not naive, just live in the real world. i think people who think college sports is about academics, graduating in 4 years, “doing it the right way”, are naive.
I hear you loud and clear.. no I am not that naive. It’s one thing to ‘play the game’, it’s another thing to be transparent about it and vocal about it.
That’s my point. Cal, zip it and stop perpetuating out in the open what should only go on behind closed doors.
Perception is reality.
/
MuchLuck / May 9, 2012
I haven’t really come across anyone here or elsewhere who has ever accused UK of being about academics, graduating in 4 years or even “doing it the right way” (not that there’s anything wrong with that).
/
Darth Cal / May 9, 2012
I guess no one saw Darius Miller and Eloy graduate on Sunday huh?
Darius in 4 years, even. UK and Vandy are the only two Sec teams to have never had Apr problems. All you haters do is “speculate” your ass off.
Crying like little bitches. Wah!! Wahh!! Wahh!! “My team lost to cheaters” “my team does it the right way” wah!! Wah!!
So tell me oh “protectors of b-ball integrity” who do you cheer for?
If Cal had never existed, the 3-5 players he gets every year would go elsewhere and NOTHING would ever be said. It’s just FEAR and ENVY when YOUR team doesn’t land them. How does 3-5 players (out of 3000+) making their dreams come true hurt b-ball? Out of the top 100 players each year, I would guess that at least 99% want to play in the NBA. That’s the modern world. None are really going for an education. You can act like they are but if they had to choose one or the other, which one do you think they would choose?
But I’m just “speculating” here guys, so it must be true? Right?
Keep barking little dogs, keep barking.
We’ll keep winning, and you’ll still be crying.
/
BlueCat32 / May 9, 2012
Laughs…Nothing to see here haters.Pete is a joke.
Looking at the comments the haters can only wish Cal gone.UK is the “Gold Standard”
UK is King once again,just look at the comments regarding Kentucky and compare them to any other schools fan base,it’s not even close.
No one cares what other teams do or don’t do,their irrelevant compared to Kentucky.
/
mikemiller13 / May 9, 2012
bluecat, i’d tend to disagree regarding no other team matters. you have more titles, no arguement…but as a fellow blue blood fan, know your history and the whole history of the game, and show some respect. rock chalk nation isn’t going anywhere. you did yes beat kansas twice this year, but your irrelevent comment shows your lack of knowledge. congrats on a fantastic year. still, 2 final 4’s vacated under his watch as the head man in charge at 2 different programs…what other coach can claim that honor? yes i know he wasn’t ever implicated by the ncaa, but, kinda sketchy…just saying. cbball fan’s don’t like cal, not necessarily uk. ever thought of that? i’m sure you’ll say all uk fan’s loved cal at memphis and umass though. to each their own i guess, rock chalk!
/
juicyfruit / May 9, 2012
@bluecat
Please clean the potato hulls out of the bathtub. Stop with the moonshine and or meth breeding, and come back to reality. UK only really matter that much in your own fried brain.
/
BlueCat32 / May 9, 2012
Re:Fruity
You mad bro?
Hahaha
/
BlueCat32 / May 9, 2012
Re:mikemiller13
I know the history of the game.
And my”irrelevant comment” was only made to the “haters” on this comment section,because they know it is true.Look it already made juicyfruit come out with a personal childish attack on me.
/
Donttasemebro / May 10, 2012
“Looking at the comments the haters can only wish Cal gone.UK is the “Gold Standard”
UK is King once again,just look at the comments regarding Kentucky and compare them to any other schools fan base,it’s not even close.
No one cares what other teams do or don’t do,their irrelevant compared to Kentucky”.
When your school is the TMZ of college basketball people are going to comment. What is sad is that Kentucky is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. And Kentucky fans love it. Kentucky fans love it that Cal is exploiting college basketball and the one and done rule. They just eat it up. There is going to come a time (sooner than you think) when nobody will be watching college ball including me. And then what will you say? Do you remember that South Park when they sacrificed Brittany Spears? Fans are looking at Kentucky just like Brittany Spears in that episode, we want to kill Cal and Kentucky basketball, because you guys are a bunch of head shavin goofs.
/
juicyfruit / May 10, 2012
@Donttasemebro
Kentucky will be on probation within two years and some of you will be contemplating the nearest bridge in Madison County to jump off. I feel sorry for you and fellow UK fans who view a college basketball program that seriously. I guess its not much else to do in that backwater state but breed rabid fans from birth.
/
Donttasemebro / May 10, 2012
Me a Kentucky fan? I have never been called worse. And I have been called a Democrat!
/
mikemiller13 / May 10, 2012
bluecat, not sure what you believe is true. again, it’s more cal, not uk. i hold a high respect for uk as a program. their fans are passionate just like kansas fans. both programs are at the top, or are the top in almost every major statistical category in cbball. with that said, cal is a complete joke. i ask any uk fan to answer what other coach can claim being the head guy at 2 different programs and have 2 final 4’s vacated? what was the honest impression of cal prior to uk? care to answer sir blue?
/
BlueCat32 / May 10, 2012
Re:mikemiller13
The 2 final 4’s vacated and a National Title Champion.Let’s not forget that accomplishment to be fair.Answer-No other coach.
“what was the honest impression of cal prior to UK?”
I never really thought about Cal or Memphis before he took the UK job but,giving it a little thought since you asked.
I guess I would say that the elite recruits Cal was getting at Memphis were the ones that had a troubled background and Cal took a “gamble” on when recruiting them.
Was that the reason that led to the “vacated” season?(I believe it to be true)
Now that Cal has proven to get players to the league faster than most.That “gamble” has paid dividends.
Now,that Cal is at Kentucky and the “foundation” has be laid,Cal can get players that aren’t as risky as those he had at Memphis.
UK has an outstanding compliance dept.and Cal knows he is under the biggest of microscopes here at UK.Everything he does will be held to the highest standard.
/
MuchLuck / May 10, 2012
Ok, this thread was alot more interesting until the posers started getting on here with fake UK fan names just to make UK fans look worse. Not fair and shame on you all. Sarcasm is NOT necessarily always funny.
/
creature / May 13, 2012
Bit late to the party – not as much new here as there once was – but I have time to rectify a few of the assplants above.
juicyfruit – love the name, I guess we can imply you’re a chewer (or at least a muncher?) – BostonCat was not “touting Cal as a saint”. And regarding the “rather ignorant” UK fanbase – compared to what? You? You do admit in one response, “Whether Cal is clean or not is “highly” debatable.” So you don’t claim to KNOW, do you? And if you could just clear up the difference between the word highly and “highly”, we’d all appreciate it I’m sure.
Of course you go on to say “UK days are numbered”, apparently switching to the apocalyptic language of your favorite church. You say you’re not short of material with regard to UK. Why not use some of it, then?
You don’t reveal your secret archives to us, though. Instead you move on to what must be your favorite subject: “WorldWideWes has his hands in the majority of the top ten hs ball players…” ALL AT THE SAME TIME?? IS he in a Guinness Record competition with that eight-armed Indian deity? And which orifice do his hands prefer?
Actually your idea according to which Wes gets a commission for steering (is this different from “steering”?) players to programs is ludicrous, Wes is worth hundreds of millions, he doesn’t have to stoop so low. He wouldn’t spit on “a little off the top” but you seem to have had a little too much cut off the end.
By the way, in case you were wondering, I’m quoting your words from time to time. It’s a good way to construct an argument, but you seem so unfamiliar with such things that I thought I would give you a heads-up (oops, sorry, no pun intended, I think male sexual mutilation at birth is wrong and I wish there was some surgery that could correct your condition. Let me know if you have a website or a favorite charity and I’ll contribute).
Around May 9, it seems your posts went completely off the rails. First off, None of us know what “potato hulls” are. Peanuts have shells, walnuts hulls, corn has husks and your brain has a rind, apparently, but potatoes have skins…and that’s why the commercial product is called “potato skins” and not potato hulls. Also, neither moonshine nor methedrine are involved with “breeding” though we understand that this concept is a sore spot with you (again, no pun intended).
Also, fruit ol’toot, the Madison County celebrated in the famous but pisspoor novel is in Iowa, you dimwit.
I love this sentence: “I guess its not much else to do in that backwater state but breed rabid fans from birth.” I’m not even going to dwell on the grammatical absurdity of the entire sentence. I’m just going to let readers chew (again, no pun intended) on the phrase “breed rabid fans from birth.”
I think that the breeding might stop BEFORE birth, juice.
/
creature / May 13, 2012
Responses to more minor commenters
Now, tusker. I don’t know if this name is related to a team logo (isn’t Alabama’s mascot a big elephant??), so I can only assume that your screen name means your teeth jut shockingly from your lower jaw.
Now, if I understand you correctly, every time you listen to a certain program on the radio you take 4 showers and cover yourself with a gooey anti-bacterial substance. This is a well-known form of OCD. Did your dad resemble Dan Patrick? Did he take showers with you when you were little? And did it smell sort of anti-bacterial? There is NO SHAME in this! Keep your chin up (no pun intended).
Can’t say the same for your posts. First, you go all schoolmarm on BostonCat, saying “…try and look at this objectively”, and then your very next sentence starts out, “…it has been speculated…” Objective speculation. Brilliant.
Next, a white person (you) accuses one black person (Wes) of “selling” another black person (DaJuan Wagner) “down the river” to Memphis. Ol’Man River, that Ol’Man River. “And that’s the tip of the ice berg”, as opposed to the Green berg, I guess. What other modern slave markets are you familiar with?
Finally you say “This guy just walks in too many circles.” I just repeat this gem for the enjoyment of others. (Maybe you should take your cue from juicyfruit’s playbook, and say he is in too many players.) I’m sure you don’t have the same problem, because by the time you would walk back around to the beginning of even one circle…everything would be all different to you, right?. You say perception is reality, tusker, and I’m inclined to agree up to a point. You suggest that Coach Calipari should “zip it and stop perpetuating out in the open”. Could we say that this is an expression of your long-suppressed wish, that your dad would at least let you out of the shower? I would refer you to juicyfruit’s remarks about “breeding from birth”.
Tusker, even a truckload of Purell isn’t going to cure you until you really want to be cured. Best of luck.
/