Vargas’ recruitment by Arizona stalls because of differing agendas
by Javier Morales on May. 10, 2010, under Sports
Sean Miller's philosophy is to recruit players who want to build a team around him (US Presswire Photo/Scott A. Miller)
When a recruit and his suitor go separate ways, that means their respective agendas are too contrasting.
That appears to be the case in Arizona’s recruitment of former Florida center Eloy Vargas, who reportedly will not visit the UA campus this weekend after all.
From what I understand, this is Vargas’ position (note that Vargas has not returned my phone calls or text messages): He is about to play for his third school in as many years, and he is thinking about improving his professional stock.
From an individual standpoint, the direction makes sense for Vargas, who suffered through minor injuries and academic concerns in his lone season with the Gators. He wants to seize the golden opportunity as quickly as possible.
From a team standpoint, or team frame-of-mind standpoint, it does not make sense for UA coach Sean Miller.
It has been reported that Vargas is visiting Seattle because Charles Garcia prospered into an NBA prospect there in basically one season after transferring from a JC. He originally signed with Washington but did not qualify. That is true that he evolved into more of a prospect at Seattle, but there is more to that.
Garcia evolved into a scorer by getting the green light from new coach Cameron Dollar, who is promising the same to Vargas.
It does not matter that Vargas would not play on national or regional television for most of the season. Garcia, a potential second-round draft pick, according to DraftExpress.com, did not need the television exposure to become noticed by scouts.
Why else would Vargas visit Seattle?
Dollar is no dummy. He does not want to coach at Seattle long. He wants immediate success to move on to a bigger spot. By showcasing players like Garcia and Vargas, he will move up the ladder quicker for two reasons: He will have the reputation of developing NBA-caliber players and his recruiting success would be magnified.
In short, Dollar could not care less about giving the ball to Vargas often, so Vargas can average close to 20 points a game similar to Garcia. With Garcia gone, Vargas can step right in and impress the same scouts.
Miller, on the other hand, is the caretaker of a storied program that is in search of itself after Lute Olson instilled a family atmosphere during the glory years. Miller’s Xavier teams were not all about Five-Star recruits and surefire NBA prospects. He coached an Elite Eight team with players who were in sync from the No. 9 guy in the rotation to the leading scorer.
One of Xavier’s top players in the Elite Eight season — Derrick Brown — redshirted as a freshman to further develop. It’s no wonder why Miller gushed about Butler during all those national radio spots preceding the Final Four.
The same debate over Miller’s recruitment of Lance Stephenson (or the lack thereof) is apparent in the latest development concerning Vargas’ recruitment. Do you sacrifice the program-building philosophy by going after the immediate season-building direction?
Many recruiting enthusiasts suggest Miller take on Vargas even if the promising forward aspires to play professionally after one season. By signing Vargas, Arizona can enjoy more immediate success and create an aura about the program faster, thus attracting more high-profile recruits next year and beyond. In other words, they believe Miller should follow the John Calipari doctrine of recruiting.
Calipari’s way works at Kentucky because the program is traditionally more popular than Arizona, and he has a history of attracting top-notch recruits who can progress to the next level after a year or two. Calipari goes on to the next pro-caliber prospect, knowing the player can leave abruptly like the one before. However, Calipari also knows that prospect has a better chance of getting him to the Final Four at a quicker rate (Derrick Rose anyone?).
Miller is not in the same position because Arizona is not in the same position. He must recruit accordingly. Miller is also the type of coach who would rather see Kyryl Natyazhko become a positive influence in practice and develop into a force at the post, rather than take on a new frontcourt player with an individual agenda.
According to Vargas’ AAU coach, Kenny Gillion, grades are not a concern with his former player. Gillion told me last month that Vargas was a straight-A student at Miami-Dade Junior College this year. If Vargas has no academic concerns, than the reason why Arizona and Vargas have separated can be traced to different agendas — Vargas wants to be showcased and Miller desires a player who first and foremost wants Arizona to be on top of the Pac-10 again.
Vargas’ willingness to follow in Garcia’s footsteps (or extended minutes and field-goal attempts) with an obscure Seattle program makes his intentions all the more obvious. You can’t blame Vargas if he believes he’s at the stage of his career in which he must be noticed by NBA scouts now.
You also must understand Miller’s viewpoint that he is responsible for building Arizona back to prominence, and the only way to do that is with players sharing a common goal.
May 10th, 2010 on 11:39 pm
The loss of a scholarship next year is overstated.
It will return to be used probably by a player recruted next year. It just means someone will play on an academic scholarship for one year.
May 11th, 2010 on 7:34 am
Miller is thinking of a program, not a win. We may suffer a little in the next couple of years, but Coach is doing what he sees as best for the program. As for me, I was tired of seeing the one/two and done guys play for Az. Good job coach!!!!!!!
May 12th, 2010 on 1:46 pm
13 scholarships are allowed by the NCAA. That means 13 regardless of what the University names them or what department issues them. Not 13 athletic plus 1 academic and 1 hardship etc.
May 12th, 2010 on 4:28 pm
I would like references for that. It was my understanding that players in the ‘walkon’ status received financial support. It was my understanding that the NCAA only dealt with the athletic department generally. (And the administration in as much as the athletic department is answerable to the administration).
May 11th, 2010 on 8:27 am
Rycoyotez is the exception to the Cat fan rule, because Arizona mens hoops could well ” suffer ” through this season and next as well. 2009-2010 anyone.
I’ve perused numerou Wildcat fan blogs regarding the past mediocre ‘ Zona season, and approximately SIXTY PERCENT ( 60% ) of the posters aren’t the type of fan to ” suffer ” through two more sub-standard seasons. In other words, these Cat fans don’t have the patience for Miller to get Arizona back at it’s Top 20 level. Let alone Top 10 standard.
That’s just the facts Cats.
May 11th, 2010 on 9:26 am
You are a dummy
May 11th, 2010 on 8:29 am
“Miller’s Xavier teams were not all about Five-Star recruits and surefire NBA prospects. He coached an Elite Eight team with players who were in sync from the No. 9 guy in the rotation to the leading scorer. ”
-Maybe that is why Xavier is only getting to the elite 8? No elite players. just a thought. i just hope we can be good again.
May 11th, 2010 on 10:18 am
Yeah,
I don’t really understand Miller on this one.
As a coach, I would think he’d be excited about getting a talented player that he could turn around and mold into the type of team player that could really help his team.
Also, since he’s going after JUCO players to help fill in some of the gaps on the team, I don’t really see the damage if Vargas were to opt to leave sooner than expected. At best we’d have him for 2 years, and at worst we’d have him for 1 year… and free up a scholarship for the following season. Either scenario would be a win/win for the Cats.
What’s really going on here?
May 11th, 2010 on 11:25 am
College basketball is and has been about player/team development. The NBA buys meat.
Short attention spans. Some are forgetting the current roster and seem trapped in a perpetual ‘fantasy basketball’ mode.
Everyday that goes by sees improvement in every player on the roster. Vargas knows nothing about Millers system. For those who think Vargas can be a game changer from the start – understand that can only happen if Miller abandons his system and designs a new system around Vargas and Vargas current knowledge of basketball. If Vargas were to play within Millers system he would only begin to have a major impact towards the end of his first year. In that sense its likely that Kyryl is ahead of Vargas.
Lets not forget also that the country has 1/3 billion people and LOTS of highschool basketball players. There may or may not be a viable replacement for Vagas coming out of highschool at the moment – but I bet there is. For example I would take nearly the entire front court playing at BYU … who are they? Do you know their history? Were they on your radar as they came out of highschool?
My advice, pay more attention to development and less to fantasy basketball. I would like to see someone from a blog – probably pointguardu – to follow player development more closely on a weekly basis. I used to do that until – under Olson – the NCAA closed practices to the public. You should attend practices and pickups. Its an eye opener.
(unedited)
May 11th, 2010 on 11:54 am
I dont think Miller is opposed to the fact that Vargas might only be around for a year. He may not like the fact that an individual player wanted to become the sole focus of the offense.
May 11th, 2010 on 4:13 pm
You guys are missing the point…and unfortunately so is Sean Miller. Though I may agree with his team game concepts, the reality is that Elite players are necessary for programs to maintain Elite status in the College Basketball landscape. One or two McDonald’s All-American’s or 5-Star recruits every few years is necessary for the program to sustain national prominence. Seriously, a team doesn’t have to be littered and stocked with them a la Jim Calipari led teams, but they are necessary to remain in the limelight. Butler made a nice run last year, and will likely have a decent run again next year but they won’t remain relevant like Arizona did during their 25 year run under Lute Olson.
Lute knew how to mesh the superstar with the hard worker. Sean Miller seems to be more concerned and more connected with only molding 9-10 hard workers. You can build a nice team that way, but you will not be successful (sustained success) in today’s landscape when the Elite players are really that much better or skillful. The sad part is, Miller has never landed an Elite recruit. His mentality that he publicly expresses is mid-major mentality. If you tell yourself any different, you’re lying to yourself.
Kids have short memories, and when they see Arizona faltering they will forget about Arizona’s esteemed recent history that Lute Olson built. They won’t want to play for a coach who demands they change their game to fit the team. They want to play with a coach who leads the team, but also recognizes a players personal gifts or worth. So far, Miller has fallen way short in that department.
BTW…Lute Olson was also a great coach because he could adapt his coaching style per his personell. In that light, Miller may need to alter his coaching style in order to bring in better personell. I hope he finds that out before Arizona is completely irrelevant.
May 11th, 2010 on 5:56 pm
Millers record at Xavier was better than the UofA’s during the same time period in post season. If the UofA cant attract quality players with that post season record – then there is no hope.
It will be ok. This year he needs to show progress, which he will. And next year the UofA will be ranked. I’m betting that next year Williams wont be alone in terms of serious recognition. Wise has said Solo is developing. I have faith in Mayes, Bejarano, Fogg and Lamont. (and most of the big wings) And next year Sidiki and the other NYC forward will be here (forget his name, but I expect him to sign).
Winning is the thing. I think Miller is on schedule. He is worth trusting IMO.
May 11th, 2010 on 7:45 pm
The Cats will get Elroy Vargas! The Kentucky Wildcats that is!!! GO BIG BLUE! Miller has no shot anyway now that coach Calipari and Kentucky is on the scene! Kentucky is back and now it’s time for Arizona to rebuild! lol.
May 12th, 2010 on 10:51 am
grades are a huge concern. while technically/mathematically possible, he has a tough hill to climb. the outcome of which wont be known until well into the summer. he is on the right path and the school he is currently at, its their job to get kids eligible, but right now he isnt there yet. regardless of what comes out of the vargas camp.
vargas has more interest in uk then uk has in vargas. this could change, but it might not. i think fit and differing agenda’s is putting a nice spin on it from zona’s end. miller had to know all this before getting involved with him. now all of a sudden its an issue after investing time and resources. thats hard to swallow unless miller has bad tunnel vision when it comes to recruiting and knowing kids.
more likely zona backed out for the same reason uk isnt that interested. grades. or vargas just isnt that interested in zona and miller pulled back to save some face. jack picked prep school over zona, now you miss out on a JUCO, add in the high profile misses with guys like lamb and selby (who miller had no real shot at) and it starts to mount and no fan base likes the taste of that.
May 15th, 2010 on 12:37 pm
He’s a Wildcat! Kentucky Wildcat, that is