Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Just spoke with a source close to the program and it was suggested to me that Matthew Pilgrim, a 6′8″ big man at Hampton University could be the mysterious transfer possibility that has been rumored for quite some time. Here is the big man’s bio at Hampton, a school best known for beating Iowa State and having their fat little coach lifted up in the air. Pilgrim’s name did circle the message boards for a bit when folks were guessing as to who the transfer could be, but this is the first time I have been told of his name with someone who would have the goods to know the true info.
So now folks, learn about the Pilgrim….
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May 15th, 2008 at 11:54 am
9th
May 15th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Sounds like a good player to me.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
seems unlikely
May 15th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Sounds awesome, but would he still dominate with the level of competition in the SEC?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
So how does this guy end up at Hampton? Sort of makes me wonder, though I am sure he is most likely pretty competitive. Certainly has the size, and we have recruited worse, most likely….
May 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Firewall has me blocked! can someone post the info on this guy?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
#5 JKW1974 - How did Jerry Rice end up at Mississippi Valley State University? (Please don’t answer that)
May 15th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
will he have to sit out 2008-09?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
FT% 42
May 15th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
i just hope his jokes are half as funny as the last guy from bridgton academy. if so, we’re good.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/matthewpilgrim.html
May 15th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
#3
Well, he IS visiting today. That might make it a little more likely…
May 15th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Would this be a “sit out a year” transfer? What division is Hamton?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
#5 - In many cases with black families, it’s traditional to go to school at an HBCU. Many, including myself, feel as if it can be a valuable experience to go to an HBCU.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
By the way, he will be in Blue & White. He’s on campus today and they will be filling out some of the paperwork.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
#3 http://www.hamptonpirates.com/News/mbball/2008/5/2/Pilgrim%20(5-2-08). asp?path=mbball
It seems very likely.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
7) May I ask you who painted that cat on the Beer barrel?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
For clarification, he will have to sit out this year, right, unless he has some hardship or something?
He will, however, then have this year to get used to Lexington/Basketball Mecca, and play in pickup games with the guys, etc, and hopefully be able to contribute immediately in 09, joining a front court of Patterson (unless he becomes a lottery pick and leaves), Stevenson, Harrelson, etc. Assuming they don’t leave him at Small Forward. 6-8 small forward is pretty nasty.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
He sounds good!
I would assume he will have to sit out a year, and play in 2009/2010 season as a sophmore?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
16) That worries me just a little bit. If the coach isn’t willing to discuss him not returning, it makes you wonder if he was kicked off the team, or just told the coach he didn’t want to play there any more. Seems like it could be bad terms, and while that doesn’t automatically mean he has some attitude issues or anything, it is slightly worrisome.
I wonder if he’s been released from his commitment, etc. Doesn’t he have to give up a year if they don’t want to just let him go?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
It says he can shoot the deep ball. Has anyone seen him play?
May 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
that nbadraft profile looks like he has a lot of potential. look forward to having him on the team.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
This is better than signing a five star IMO. This guy can play!!
May 15th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
19) I believe so.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
If this dude plays small forward at a mid-major, he won’t be on the post here at UK I wouldn’t believe. With his size, he could give real match-up problems with smaller and weaker SF’s in the SEC.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
“NICKELBERRY SAYS PILGRAM WON’T RETURN TO HU BASKETBALL TEAM NEXT SEASON
HAMPTON, Va. — Hampton University’s head men’s basketball coach, Kevin Nickelberry, has indicated that starting forward Matthew Pilgrim will not be returning to the team next season.
Last season, Pilgrim averaged 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds while starting in just 11 games for the Pirates. The 6-8, 225-pound native of Cincinnati, Ohio was a member of Nickelberry’s first recruiting class after taking over the Pirates’ program in 2006.
In making the announcement, Nickelberry said there would be no further comment on the matter.”
May 15th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
26) That is what I was talking about up above.
That just doesn’t sound like a friendly parting, so you wonder if there was some problem, or if he just wanted to move on to bigger things, etc.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
We are recruiting a guy who played at Hampton, only averaged 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds and only started 11 games. Something does not seem right about this.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
He did have a broken foot
May 15th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
28) What coach are you?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
28- i wondered the same thing, buthe may flourish under CBC’s system.if he can put the rock in the hole, we’ll take him no matter what,i guess.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
30 - still trying to meet a guy on here?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
A fellow student from cinci has told me that he was bored in hi school. Maybe he is motivated now and wants to prove he can play with the big boys.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
28 did you look at the nbadraft website, it speaks very well of him
May 15th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
33 have you seen him play?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
28. Read the links…
“Strengths: Forward with excellent versatility, has the ability to pass and handle plus face the basket or go inside … Pilgrim has a good feel for the game … He has active hands and has a real presence on the floor when he decides to play …. His stroke has vastly improved since he got to college … In high school he was very much an inside banger, who has developed a good face up game and 3 point shot. His athletic ability is above average … Can play with anyone in the country and dominate … He is a terrific ball handler for someone who has played inside for so long. His long arms give him added size and make him a solid shot blocker and also rebounder … Maintains excellent post skills to compliment his now improving perimeter game … An excellent rebounder, especially for a small forward, who hits the glass hard … “
May 15th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Not to mention…. FT% 42
May 15th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
32) Not a good idea to try and meet guys on here. Either nerds or old men that never leave there computers.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
34 - yeah I did see that and liked what I read. I was just expecting better stats this season, especially in the “starts” category. I thought maybe attitude problem or something. Don’t get me wrong, if BCG seems something then I am all for it.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
consistency seems to be his biggest issue… BCG can fix that
May 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
36 - “Weaknesses: As a high schooler he would play great for 5 minutes and disappear for the next 10, which explained why he was under-recruited … He needs to develop consistency and play hard all the time … He missed the beginning of the season due to a broken foot and has taken some time to get back up to speed … He’ll have one huge game followed by an average one. As he matures in college it could get scary how good he becomes at a mid-major with the style of play and the freedom to grow he has at Hampton … To truly develop into a legit first round prospect he needs to hit the weights and commit himself to dominating every game … Free throws need work, he has good form, but needs to develop a consistent routine at the line … Shows good handle, but needs to become better at protecting the ball and limiting turnovers …”
May 15th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
35)No I grew up in Maine not Cinci. Have not seen him play. Really never liked basketball until I moved to Lexington.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
39 Cool, I hear what your saying though, when Uk recurits a kid from Hampton. I don’t even know where Hampton is, LOL
May 15th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
#17 CoedKat - I don’t know, I think it’s a picture of one of your relatives.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
44) What?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
KentuckyInk is talking like the transfer is a done deal!!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=667122
I could think of a couple of kids off of that list I would not mind having. Check out Malcom Thomas at Pepperdine and Curtis Kelley from CUonn.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
^^^UConn
May 15th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
This sounds like one of those classic Pitino-like transfers that were so good to us in the 90’s, a la Evans, Pope, Anderson, Ford, etc.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
41. You can give a kid an attitude adjustment, you can’t give them talent. I believe the “strengths” far outweigh the “weaknesses”
May 15th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
49 - I hope so!!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
50) I agree with you. He is big and strong and correct me if I am wrong he has to sit out a year so he will get a lot of coaching before he plays in a game.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
39) You must’ve missed it in comments and the articles - he had a broken foot, as so missed a good part of the season. You have to figure he was limited after he came back, too.
52) Yeah, he will sit out a year, a la Sparks a few years ago. He’ll be able to practice, or at least play pickup games, and the coaches will have a pretty good idea of where/how to use him when he comes in. If they keep him at Small Forward, he’ll potentially be a beast on the drive and on D at 6′8″, with shot-blocking ability and developing a 3. If they move him back inside, he’d join Patterson, Stevenson and Harrelson, not to mention Harris and Stewart.
Lots of potential and another large body, if he does come in.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
He suonds to me like a mirror image of Juan Patillo, who we were looking at earlier this season (the guy who played with Galloway in Idaho).
May 15th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
50 - I agree that a coach can change an attitude.
53 - Yeah, I did miss that.
Hopefully it all works out.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
36) THose strengths sound great but it doesn’t explain the 7 points and 5 rebounds. IF he has monster games and then disappears in the next game then basically that could mean he had 15 points 10 rebounds one game and then absolutely nothing the next game.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Clearly most of you missed the part where Matt said he is transferring from Hampton, “a school best known for beating Iowa State.” That means they are D-I and he will have to sit out for a year. Also, he would be a junior. Also, he played in 26 of their 30 games and only started in 11. So you are getting a big body who isn’t good enough to start regularly for the second best team in the MEAC, so don’t get all misty eyed over him or anything.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
last year’s stats:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=32970
May 15th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Payne, Who is getting misty-eyed? You know I have nothing against you and macon but I honestly think you come on here and shoot down positive talk about possible players coming to UK because there is absolutely nothing to talk about on any UT message boards. Could you give me a link to any UT boards that get half as many hits as this one? I will even take one that focuses on football. Jealousy is not very flattering.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
57 - thats not misty eyed, that the TN Red Eye that I got from walking into the TN Locker room. 5 foot bong rips for the team before each practice.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
GoCats, you are so right. I am extremely jealous that a bench guy from Hampton is transferring to UK. Now the Cats will be a shoo in for the Final 4.
I just thought I would help out some of the people on here who clearly have some issues with literacy. If anybody else has trouble reading, let me know and I can clarify things for them.
word.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
57) If it is listed on NBAdraft.net that he “Can play with anyone in the country and dominate” than I will take their word for it–I think it’s better than listening to a UT fan on a KY sports site.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Payne, thanks for googling Matthew Pilgrim– I didnt already think to do that!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
57) If you read post 41 you would see he was hurt last year(broken foot) which greatly limited him and his PT. The kid is a good talent with a big body and versatile game. With a year to learn and be molded by BCG this should be a great pick up!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Just having a hard time getting excited about someone who played for Hampton and didn’t put up impressive stats. My fear is that he is another recruit who will fail to reach his potential. Guess I’ll have to trust BCG on this one.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
61) Oh please help me with my reading comprehension; I know that people from Tennessee are known for their mastery of the english language.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
61) I never said you are jealous of the Hampton guy. If you read what I wrote I said you are jealous of Uk having a message board that people actually talk about their team. Obviously you do not have one.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
61 I believe you have a slight reading comprehension issue yourself. Pilgrim had a broken foot and sat out 9 games.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
57 and 58) He had a broken foot and only missed about 4 games! I think my stats would take a hit if that happened to me too. He avg.ed 11 points his freshman year. I would say 14 and 7 is a better estimate of his ability.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
62- one of the literate deficient ones I see.
The NBAdraft thing was written in Feb of ‘07. Notice in the weaknesses it says “as he matures in college it could get scary how good he becomes at a mid-major with the style of play and the freedom to grow he has at Hampton.” I would think that playing another full season at Hampton would qualify for the growth period that he needed to become scary good, yet his numbers were worse than his freshman year with a bum foot. Interesting.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Payne had to go to a Kentucky School (transy) becuase he knew he couldnt get a good education in tennessee.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
payne I know absolutely zero about Pilgrim but I am just happy talking to other UK fans about UK. Why are you not talking to other UT fans about UT?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
68-you are looking at his freshman year. who has the reading comprehension problem?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
71-score one for you.
dammit!
May 15th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
70 Thanks for bringing us back to reality. Your comments are always appreciated. You may go now….
May 15th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Payne… its damnit, not dammit
May 15th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
72-just trying to get my boys some traffic and some posts and hits and what not.
works every time.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
You are missing my point Payne. Why do you care what UK fans are saying about a possible UK player? If we were talking about Hopson or Maze or someone that Uk and UT are both going after I could see why you might want to add to the conversation but seriously, is there nothing for you to discuss on any UT boards?
May 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
70)literate deficient?!? I think most “scholarly types” would call that illiterate.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
77) I’m sure Matt and the boys appreciate your efforts but I am sure this site is doing just fine without your help. I know you guys are all friends and blah, blah, blah, heard it a thousand times. Save your UT comments for when there is a UT topic.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
78- I get your point. I was clarifying for people who are interested because they are all saying the wrong info. Some people weren’t sure if he would have to sit out a year. He does. Some people were saying he would be a soph. He will be a junior. Some people were saying he only averaged 7 and 4 because of a broken foot and missed 9 games. He had a broken foot his freshman year, not this year. Nobody else seemed to care (or notice) that you all were getting the wrong info, so I clarified. My bad.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Funny isn’t it that some UT fans hang out here on a UK fan blog site. I mean, why would you? How many of us UK fans routinely hang on other team’s fan sites? Talk about a monumental waste of time. I suppose it could be jealousy. Jealous that they don’t have enough true fans to keep a fan site active between sports seasons. It’s like they’re parasite fans. Getting their sports fix by coming here and latching on for a little while everyday. Pain, just leave UT in the rocky top dust and root for a real university!
May 15th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Be careful Payne–there might be some good ole boys on here that might turn your “shocker” around and just might “shock” you. Shock ‘em boice.