Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
By now you have certainly all heard the rumors that Derrick Jasper will be transferring from Kentucky. The last 24 hours have been classic internet stuff, with everyone telling what their “source” was saying about the potential for the point guard from California who played on one leg for most of the year, to end up somewhere other than Lexington next season. Jasper, who has struggled with homesickness for some time at Kentucky, is said to be ready to leave or has his foot out the door already, depending on who you believe. At this point with all the rumors and tidbits, it is hard to get a real grasp on what is going on with the situation. Thus here is what I do know and what (at least to my knowledge) remains to be seen….
I was told that approximately two weeks ago, Jasper mentioned the possibility that he might head back to the West Coast at the end of the school year. From what I understand, the coaches talked to Jasper and most believed at that point he would stay. Earlier in the week, when I got a couple of questions about it, I assumed it was this old story coming up again and spoke with someone close to the team who told me that all was fine. Then on Tuesday night, apparently Jasper once again (at least according to my source) expressed an interest in going and brought the issue back up. I was then told that as of now, the status was “up in the air.” The reason is not the fact that he doesnt “feel the love” from the fans or somehow feels neglected, but rather just that he misses home and being close to his family. I do know that he worked out with the guys on the team yesterday and is still a part of the activities going on. But as for what the future holds, I am told that it still is not certain.
Apparently however others have heard more definitive statements. Larry Vaught, who is as good as they come, said on Scout.com on Wed night that he heard he was gone. That may very well be true. Coach Clyde has a press conference scheduled for 10 am today….an odd time to say the least, considering these stories are out there. It would not be shocking in the least if he used that time to talk about the situation. Either way, even if that is not the purpose of the event, he surely will be asked about Jasper and a definitive resolution will be settled. But for the next few hours at least, the issue is up in the air.
Speculation is part of the internet and is one reason we are all attracted to it. Derrick Jasper was a key part of the resurgence of this year’s team and could continue to have that role in the future. However he may question the recruiting of a similar player at his position, in his class in Kevin Galloway and may simply want to head back to the West Coast. We dont know….but unless Coach Gillispie refuses to answer questions on Jasper today, chances are that whatever the case about Jasper may be, the speculation will soon be ended. By 10 AM today, the future of Derrick Jasper at UK should be known.
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April 17th, 2008 at 7:06 am
He would be missed for sure, made a lot of difference in this year’s team. Sounds like it would be after the semester is over and a lot could change by them.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I don’t understand why he would object to bringing in more players. One of the reasons he was forced to play through all the pain is we had no players who could play. With internet and cell phones I have a hard time believing a kid today could be homesick. I’m not so sure us playing out west in NCAA did him much good.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:17 am
If he’s been unhappy, why wouldn’t he have transferred last year? Would have made sense with the coaching change and the knee.
Any chance this pc will also include a contract update?
April 17th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Terrible, terrible news. No matter what recruits are coming in, having a player of his caliber who already knows the system will be tough to replace.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:22 am
That suxs. I was excited about how much more improvement he could make in the off season now that he was healthier. I don’t have an official inside source, but I heard from a good one that he is out of here on 5/1, and it’s to be closer to his family. But, if you have signed 2 guys at his desired position and are still recruiting a 3rd in McCoy, maybe he feels slighted.
He had the most endearing quote of the season: “The banks are open on Sunday”, which he told his teammates after his 3 point bank-in shot during the Tn game. Not matter what. He gave the team his all. So, if he goes, I still respect him all the same and follow his career no matter where he lands.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Jasper is everything you want in a player. He understands the game and his role better than most players I have seen. He has a Chuck Hayes quality to him in that if you need something done he will get it done. A key rebound, a blocked shot, diving for a loose ball, etc…
Jasper is a player we can’t afford to lose.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:35 am
How is he not feeling the love? Did he break up with his girlfriend? These commets make no sense!!! DJ played every position on the team with one leg, that’s amazing!
April 17th, 2008 at 8:06 am
This truly is ONIONS!
April 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
He’s gone folks. He’s heading to UNLV. My friend dates him. Watch, you will see! I hate it though. I have always been a Jasper fan. All we can do is wish him best of luck!
April 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
FUHK!
April 17th, 2008 at 8:08 am
#8 well said
April 17th, 2008 at 8:09 am
We can’t over look the effect being away from home has on certain people. Jasper has felt the love since he stepped foot on campus, through the injuries and all. I do not remember fans ever riding DJ like they did Porter, Carter, JoeC early on…ect.
I know it’s an cliche old saying, but “home is where the heart is”. Maybe he is realizing that he is not going to be a first round draft pick, and after all the pain of the injury and what not, he just wants to be close to his family and back home. We all know how important family is to us, especially here in Kentucky. I do not think that Coach Gillispie or his recruiting played any role in a decision to transfer, so hope no one else throws that blame around (and it seems that very far, in any, are at this time).
I love Jasper, and I do feel like he has a lot of barely opened doors in his game that could allow him to flourish next year. I also believe he did play an important role on this team’s turnaround, without a doubt. BUT, with that said, I think we will be fine. As long as Liggins qualifies, I will still feel comfortable with our team next year. Yes, it will hurt to lose a player who knows the system, but these guys who are committing have been watching us all year hopefully and trying to get an early start on Coach’s game plan and what not so they will have an edge and be ready to contribute immediately.
All in all, I really hope Jasper has a change of heart and stays, but I will never blame a kid for leaving when it has to do with family and I will never be heard saying next season “what COULD we have done with #5 out there this year”. If he leaves, I wish him the best and hope whatever homesickness he has goes away once he’s back in Cali and he is happy. But Coach is trying to get a team full of guys as big as Jasper, hopefully who will learn to score, defend, and run the offense and we will improve from next year (if we can score).
April 17th, 2008 at 8:11 am
**very few, if any
April 17th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Make sure you all read the story right. It says he’s NOT leaving because he doesnt feel the love from the fans. I think some of you above misread. I know the real reason he is leaving, but I am choosing not to speak of it due to confidentiality out of respect to a friend. Hopefully it will come out into the press soon so you all will know.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:15 am
This stinks. He is/was my favorite player on the team. He basically
played on one leg this year. The kid is a winner.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Is there a way to listen to the Press Conference at 10am?
April 17th, 2008 at 8:24 am
hmmmm the real reason????
only reason I can think of that you would hold back on telling bc of confidentiality, but still might come out in the press is….. a family health issue?
I doubt a break-up would ever come out in the press, and if it had to do with being recruited over I don’t know why any one would need to keep it confidential(which I do not believe coach is doing, hes recruiting around aka “building”)
April 17th, 2008 at 8:28 am
No, its not a family issue at all. And it has nothing to do with being homesick nor recruiting. Lets just say its all about the knee. Derek’s knee is F*@ked. It swells unbelievably after every practice and game. The kid just wants to rest it and get healthy….BUT………….
April 17th, 2008 at 8:29 am
and there’s the kicker…
April 17th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I just talked with Jaspers girl (who is Ridiculous by the way) and Jasper is gone….100%
April 17th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I am sure you can figure out the rest…
April 17th, 2008 at 8:32 am
#20…I work right beside her uncle…ya feelin me?
April 17th, 2008 at 8:33 am
I’m not seeing it? I must be missing some connection or have terrible deduction skills
April 17th, 2008 at 8:34 am
or an optimist..
April 17th, 2008 at 8:37 am
DJ, if you’re going…get, we need to give your scholly to someone who’ll help us win. BTW, whichever school you go to will also expect you to improve your shooting.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:38 am
he just wants to rest the knee real good…but isnt allowed…remember, if he transfers, he has to sit out a year…
April 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am
#26 I believe you. That makes as much sense as anything I have read. He will say he is homesick but that is just a easy way to appease the fans. I say he got a look at CBG summer itinerary for the players and he said Oh S**t. He then probably asked for some down time and was rejected.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:53 am
I know one of the Trainers and he said Jasper is going NOWHERE……my thoughts…if he stays great…if he goes..good riddance
April 17th, 2008 at 8:57 am
#27…VERY good assumption!
#28…you’re trainer must not be up to date on his info. lol
April 17th, 2008 at 8:58 am
28. That is a childish attitude. He leaves, I guarantee that he will be missed. The kid gave more on one leg than many did with two.
I hope he stays, but if he goes….I wish him nothing but the best and thanks for what you gave to the Wildcat program.
April 17th, 2008 at 8:58 am
ooops…FYI…I meant YOUR not YOU’RE lol
April 17th, 2008 at 9:00 am
if he stays he will continue to have knee problems next year, plus with galloway coming in it the situation will be managable
April 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
10am isn’t odd. We signed a player yesterday.
Also, It’s more than “homesick”. He feels like he is being recruited over, and he’s worried about the style of play.
But here is the ironic thing. Bringing in more athletic 1-3 guys is what it will take to run.
Also, the coaches didn’t get involved in “trying to get him to stay” until late last week/weekend. THey had heard rumors, but Derrick had not talked to them about it.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:02 am
28 - why good riddance? Jasper has proven that he can do almost everythig on the court, except consistently scroe. To me, he has proven that he can do this, while, Miller, Liggins and Galloway, are still unproven at the D1 level. IF Jasper moved his average of 2 - 4 a game to 8 - 10 points per game, you would not say good riddance. 6 - 8 boards (at least), 3 - 5 assists, D’s up any man on the court (even the Center) 1 - 2 blocks a game. I am sorry but losing Jasper will be huge loss to this team.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Liggins, qualify PLEASE. Shit, give me your I.D. and I’ll go take the test for you… I’ll just say I got a really nice, deep tan.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I dont like to rely on true freshman running my team. Not all freshmen are gonna be men amongst boys like Patrick Patterson. I want experienced veterans in my starting 5. And we will not have that and losing DJ is gonna hurt our team more than most people will imagine!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:06 am
#33, I can assure you, that is ALL false info you have been given. I wish I could make you believe me, but I totally understand that you wont!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Everyone knows someone but in reality everyone knows nothing, we’ll have to wait and see!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:15 am
#38, that is true…thats why I said I understand that nobody will believe me. But just remember my name on here when you see that Derek Jasper is transferring to UNLV. And most likely, his girlfriend, Amanda, who is on the UK dance team, is gonna be a UNLV cheerleader as well. REMEMBER THIS!
April 17th, 2008 at 9:16 am
If he is gone, this is terrible news.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I love DJ’s game, but with Galloway coming in, and probably Liggins too, it shouldn’t affect our play that much.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:19 am
41-HOPEFULLY….. lets just hope those guys are ready to come in and play by working hard, buying in, and going all out. If they don’t, we might be SOL but I think they will.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Losing Jasper’s rebounding and passing will be sorely missed. He was easily the best rebounder and passer on the team, and that includes Patterson. He always was where the ball was. Depending on Galloway’s skills, this could be a huge factor in having a good team or not next year.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Jasper good, not great. Does not look to score and is a liability at the foul line. Not a good combination for a point guard. I hope he stays, but not the end of the world if he leaves.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I can’t fault the kid for wanting to be closer to his family and friends. When I moved over 1,000 miles from “My Ole Kentucky Home,” I struggled at first aand can understand Derrick’s struggly. However, I work from home and don’t get to meet too many people. Playing ball in KY, I am sure he has no problems meeting people and making friends. However, they aren’t family and they aren’t the same friends that he grew up with. I really want him to stay. We need him. Either way, I wish him the best.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:22 am
41 - that’s more of a gamble than I want to take. Neither one of those players have played against D1 competition. Plus, we want more depth in every postion.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Anyone who thinks losing Jasper is not a huge deal is on crack. It will be a huge blow.
It generally sucks when a player transfers, it is rarely good.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I hate seeing him leave but maybe Mccoy will give us a harder look if he sees Jasper is gone.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:31 am
this means we have to get mccoy or jones, or hope that Liggins qualifies
April 17th, 2008 at 9:35 am
It’s generally not good when an experienced part of your team transfers out, but in this case, we have very similar players coming in, in terms of both type and ability, so the hit shouldn’t be as bad. Plus, I think Galloway will be very good, and if Liggins qualifies, he’s good enough to have an immediate impact.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Krebs gang is to blame for this.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Our main problems will still be in other areas: replacing the scoring that left with Joe and Ramel; getting a more dominant frontcourt; etc.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:42 am
#48 exactly. I’d rather have McCoy anyways. I’d like to see him stick around along with Stevenson & Meeks. They’re the only Tubby players I’d want sitting on the bench except for Meeks who should start.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Lon Kruger is as dirty as it comes if he is recruiting other team’s players. #39, if you really know why he is transferring, why don’t you say why? You have already betrayed his trust. Why not let it out now?
April 17th, 2008 at 9:45 am
terrible, terrible news. jasper is a pass first point guard, something that we did not have last season. who is going to play point, we can not put our money on a freshmen coming in.
everyone on here should be hoping the coaching staff and teammates work their magic instead of saying “we having freshmen coming in and good riddance.” this junior class has
all the experience and we NEED it.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:48 am
Hopefully Joe and Ramel scoring is replaced with a team effort rather than just 1 - 2 players. During the course of last season, scouting UK was too easy…coach’s scouting report “guard RB, JC and PPat, that’s all for this scouting report”.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:50 am
We’ll struggle to win 18 games without DJ. He was going to be the most important player on the team other than P Pat. Billy G better do some damage control and keep him on campus.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:55 am
not that I’m a stalker or anything, (and not that it’s quite as big as Jasper) but I’m facebook friends with Morakinyo and at least once a day for the past week he has left a UK related group. Maybe just some more smoke, but interesting nonetheless.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:57 am
If he needs to leave, I wish him well.
Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:01 am
It just turned 10 where is the news?
April 17th, 2008 at 10:22 am
any updates?
April 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
I am starting to think the presser is a bunch of BS!
April 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Two words Matt: fact check
April 17th, 2008 at 10:41 am
ONIONS ONIONS.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I may have jumped the gun. But you think a press conference would be more publicized, especially in Lexington.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:52 am
The speculation continues…”Jasper is homesick”:
http://ukbasketball.kentucky.com/
April 17th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
#54- I feel I have said enough. You will see soon. Just remember everything I have posted in this blog. If I am wrong, I will openly admit. And unless something takes a MAJOR turn, DJ is gone to UNLV. And its all about the knee needing rest. Nothing to do with hating the coach, not feeling love from fans, etc etc. And the reason it will be UNLV is because its close to home. He is a momma’s boy. Just watch and see what happens. BCG does not want him to leave, I assure you.
April 18th, 2008 at 7:27 am
#67….Did DJ ask for a medical redshirt anytime during last season? If he did, I assume he
was told no. Why would he have been told no? Is he upset with the coaching staff because
they told him no? I’m sure you may not know the answers to these, but you seem to know a lot.
I sure would hate to see DJ go.
April 18th, 2008 at 9:46 am
#68- yes, he did ask. And he was told no. He was pressured into playing on that bum knee. He is STILL nowhere close to being 100%. That type of surgery needs a year of rehab. He didnt get it. And its possible, it has ruined his career because of being pressured to play on a bad knee that still swells bigger than a grapefruit every day. I hate to see him go too. But I want whats best for him and makes him happy.