Brandon Knight is coming to Kentucky and will play the 2010-2011 season under the expert guidance of Coach John Calipari. He’s committed to the program and excited to start playing. He is also going to try to get as many other good players to join the roster as he can. So, is there any reason to be concerned with him not signing the traditional LOI? I don’t think so.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] A nation letter of intent binds the school to provide the athlete with a one-year grant and that the athlete is bound to the school for one year. Once the athlete signs the LOI, they then normally sign the financial aid offer. For a player to get a release is a long process which requires an appeal and then normally the player will have to sit out for a season before returning. When a player only signs a financial aid offer, the university is still required to provide the scholarship but the player can back out at any time.
Basically, Kentucky is not insured in this case. The decision to not sign a LOI was not his, it was his parents. “My parents advised me to do it,” Knight said. “I’m not sure why.” When asked how firm he was committed to play for UK, Knight said, “Pretty firm. That’s why I committed. And I don’t plan on going anywhere else.” UK spokesman DeWayne Peevy said Knight’s family alerted all schools involved in the recruiting process that the player would not sign a binding national letter of intent.
So for UK fans that are concerned, don’t be. The lack of LOI is really nothing to be alarmed about. It’s a cautious/smart move by the player and his family. Knight is a Wildcat and is going to bring a lot of excitement next season. Go Cats!
