With all of the hoopla surrounding the upcoming recruiting class, possibly the most overlooked addition to the team is Kentucky's own Jon Hood. I'm not talking about playing time, athleticism, or shooting ability.
I'm talking about the fact Jon Hood was put in charge of recruiting his fellow seniors by both Billy Gillispie and John Calipari and he helped pull Daniel Orton and John Wall. Being aware that Hood did not single-handedly decide where these two chose to go to school, he definitely didn't hurt our chances.
He had enough of a relationship with the two that he could contact them or drop them little hints/texts about how good they would have it. A place like nothing you can imagine. As an 18-19 year old kid, think about someone telling you how easy you'd have it and how you'd be set for life if you simply chose to attend a certain school. Would you say no? Well, the basketball department at Kentucky has that kinda pull, but we haven't used that leverage in a decade.
We heard constantly during the Derby City Classic how Hood hovered over a wavering Daniel Orton never letting him breath without thinking of the Cats. Rivals had a few interviews with Hood talking about how he had kept in touch with Wall the past few summers letting him know there's not a better place in the world to play basketball than Lexington, KY.
Jon Hood may not get the time next year, but he may have held the key to finding One-Eyed Willie. It's almost as if Jon Hood was one of us, a fan trying to do anything in their power to help make Big Blue Nation better............................................................Oh wait, he is.
Welcome to the the new era of Kentucky basketball. We're back baby!
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