2013 F Austin Nichols (Memphis Briarcrest)

[humdinger]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Do some research on sarwar, not the first time he's been in a gym. Also, Nichols family isn't the type to get him mixed up with that. They have plenty of money, doubt they need sarwars "help". This isn't WWW were talking about.

I know Tony very well, known him for years. Working out doesn't make you a trainer. He's never been involved in basketball at any level - ever - until he saw the dollar signs.

[MemphisCanes]

Sarwar graduated from Memphis and was a Sig Ep if I remember correctly. I use the word "trainer" for the guy simply because that's what he calls himself. I don't know too much about the relationship between Sarwar and his trainees, but Sarwar was the one who came to Knoxville with Stokes right after Stokes committed and did a bunch of radio interviews with him.

I can't cast stones because Memphis has worked with "handlers" to get kids before, but the process makes my skin crawl none-the-less.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by humdinger

I know Tony very well, known him for years. Working out doesn't make you a trainer. He's never been involved in basketball at any level - ever - until he saw the dollar signs.

Ok so even if he saw dollar signs...is there really something wrong with say sarwar saying hey jarnell I'll train you for free if you make the league you can repay me? I highly doubt he trained him for free anyways, and Nichols has money so once again doubt it's for free. He's from Memphis so it's not like he's pushing kids to certain schools and getting money from a third source.

Basically what you're accusing him of is that he sees good money in becoming a trainer for elite athletes. Is there something wrong with that?

I see nothing that you've said that would remotely resemble wrongdoing in the NCAAs eyes. What is it exactly that you're suggesting he has done which is sketchy?

[MemphisCanes]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Ok so even if he saw dollar signs...is there really something wrong with say sarwar saying hey jarnell I'll train you for free if you make the league you can repay me? I highly doubt he trained him for free anyways, and Nichols has money so once again doubt it's for free. He's from Memphis so it's not like he's pushing kids to certain schools and getting money from a third source.

Basically what you're accusing him of is that he sees good money in becoming a trainer for elite athletes. Is there something wrong with that?

I see nothing that you've said that would remotely resemble wrongdoing in the NCAAs eyes. What is it exactly that you're suggesting he has done which is sketchy?

We don't really know WHAT Sarwar is doing, or if he has Stokes/Nichols' best interests at heart, or how/if he is being compensated for his training.

I think that's all Humdinger is getting at.

[cncchris33]

Originally Posted by humdinger

I know Tony very well, known him for years. Working out doesn't make you a trainer. He's never been involved in basketball at any level - ever - until he saw the dollar signs.

Just a thought. Stokes and Nichols could see him as a positive influence on their ability to get stronger. So, Sarwar could be viewed by them as a trainer in that sense as opposed to the basketball sense. He doesn't really need a basketball background to help them improve their strength, which is something Nichols really needs.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by MemphisCanes

We don't really know WHAT Sarwar is doing, or if he has Stokes/Nichols' best interests at heart, or how/if he is being compensated for his training.

I think that's all Humdinger is getting at.

Well those are kind of strong insinuations to make, potential violations/dirty trainer, when he really has no clue.

If he knew something then ok, but as far as anybody knows he's a trainer, being compensated as one and has no part in his clients recruitment.

None of it seems like a logical basis for accusations like that. Sarwar is a Memphis alum, if he was pushing players wouldn't it be to Memphis? I thought one of the big reasons UT got stokes was because of him coming early, now it's because of sarwar? I mean c'mon, like I said if there's some basis to merit these claims then ok, but I see none.

Right now I see this poster saying, sarwar recently became a trainer because he realized there's good money in it. News flash, many people make career changes for better money, doesnt necessarily mean they're dirty.

[MemphisCanes]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

Well those are kind of strong insinuations to make, potential violations/dirty trainer, when he really has no clue.

If he knew something then ok, but as far as anybody knows he's a trainer, being compensated as one and has no part in his clients recruitment.

None of it seems like a logical basis for accusations like that. Sarwar is a Memphis alum, if he was pushing players wouldn't it be to Memphis? I thought one of the big reasons UT got stokes was because of him coming early, now it's because of sarwar? I mean c'mon, like I said if there's some basis to merit these claims then ok, but I see none.

Right now I see this poster saying, sarwar recently became a trainer because he realized there's good money in it. News flash, many people make career changes for better money, doesnt necessarily mean they're dirty.

Again, all that just reinforces what Humdinger is saying, and it sounds like he's more familiar with him than anyone esle in this thread.

Again, no one is saying Sarwar is dirty, we're just saying he's there and we don't know his motives.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by MemphisCanes

Again, all that just reinforces what Humdinger is saying, and it sounds like he's more familiar with him than anyone esle in this thread.

Again, no one is saying Sarwar is dirty, we're just saying he's there and we don't know his motives.

And you can't say that about every single HS trainer, coach, nutritionist, friend, mentor, godparent etc etc???

That's like me saying, oh Elliot Williams bus driver was a UT grad, and he didn't start driving bus until he saw the $$$. Something might be fishy there...

Obviously complete exaggeration, but my point is, you can make the we don't know who they are or what their motives are, statements about 99% of people associated with HS athletes.

I guess im missing the point of him coming here to bring it up, and when he starts mentioning Arkansas is just looks trollish.

[MemphisCanes]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

And you can't say that about every single HS trainer, coach, nutritionist, friend, mentor, godparent etc etc???

That's like me saying, oh Elliot Williams bus driver was a UT grad, and he didn't start driving bus until he saw the $$$. Something might be fishy there...

Obviously complete exaggeration, but my point is, you can make the we don't know who they are or what their motives are, statements about 99% of people associated with HS athletes.

Not every HS players has a trainer that is as deeply associated with him as Stokes/Nichols, i.e. driving Stokes cross-state and appearing on the radio with him, etc. When you have someone like that, it just naturally raises questions because of the "bad apple" handlers that may give all these guys a bad name.

[bleedingTNorange]

Originally Posted by MemphisCanes

Not every HS players has a trainer that is as deeply associated with him as Stokes/Nichols, i.e. driving Stokes cross-state and appearing on the radio with him, etc. When you have someone like that, it just naturally raises questions because of the "bad apple" handlers that may give all these guys a bad name.

I can understand that, guess its just unfortunate they've earned such a bad rep.

[Gcrop]

Originally Posted by bleedingTNorange

I can understand that, guess its just unfortunate they've earned such a bad rep.

Not sure unfortunate is the proper term here.

Typically someone doesn't get a bad rep on unfortunate circumstances.

I have heard many question Sarwar's motives. Not saying he is dirty, just sketchy.

[humdinger]

Originally Posted by Gcrop

Not sure unfortunate is the proper term here.

Typically someone doesn't get a bad rep on unfortunate circumstances.

I have heard many question Sarwar's motives. Not saying he is dirty, just sketchy.

Take UT/Stokes/Sarwar out of the equation.

When any 30-something male with no family connection to athletes and no background in basketball is suddenly heavily involved in the recruitment of highly-rated players and spending his free time driving kids hours and hours away on their visits, no reasonable person would assume they're just doing it out of the goodness of their hearts. It's the kind of thing that raises questions, especially in Indianapolis.

[PoochPunt3rdDown]

Originally Posted by MemphisCanes

His mom, as most mothers do, wants him to stay as close to home as possible. That would be Memphis, mom is on record with this. However, he's not going to Memphis, which means the decision is solely Austin's to make.

Right now the Big 3 are Duke, Tennessee and Florida.

My personal opinion, from reading his interviews, is that the Coach K offer had a big impact on him and that Duke is in the lead, with Tennessee a bit ahead of Florida for second place.

As with all recruits, until there is a signing, this is subject to change.

Of course, we all remember your personal opinion on Jarnell Stokes, so I'm pretty sure that renders your opinion pointless.

[Chris4Vols22]

Originally Posted by PoochPunt3rdDown

Of course, we all remember your personal opinion on Jarnell Stokes, so I'm pretty sure that renders your opinion pointless.

Poochie, what do you think of Nichols? He's the only recruit to receive my official seal if endorsement so far

[PoochPunt3rdDown]

Originally Posted by Chris4Vols22

Poochie, what do you think of Nichols? He's the only recruit to receive my official seal if endorsement so far

His talent is obvious. He comes from a good family. He says all the right things and is trying to remain humble through this whole crazy process, as offers are pouring in from everywhere. The one thing I would add is, sometimes kids that go private for high school, have a strong desire to go private for college. And when one of the absolute best private schools in America also happens to be one of the absolute best basketball schools AND offers him a scholarship, I truly believe it will be tough for UT to beat Duke for him.