Is John Wilkins Coming?

[buballer82]

I remember reading that if he was found eligible by the NCAA he would be eligible Dec 20th against Wisconsin Milwaukee. Has anyone heard anything on the status of his review? Is he still planning to come to Bradley?

[SaintLouBrave22]

I remember reading that if he was found eligible by the NCAA he would be eligible Dec 20th against Wisconsin Milwaukee. Has anyone heard anything on the status of his review? Is he still planning to come to Bradley?

Thats a real touchy subject here because no one really knows anything...

[BradleyBrave]

If I were a betting man, I would bet good money he isn't a Brave this season.

[BUBrave28]

I can tell you that after a quick search of the BU web directory that there is no John Wilkins currently enrolled at BU.

Classes were open for registration going on a month now. That doesn't mean he couldn't enroll tomorrow, or any day next week, and still be eligible for December 20 (pending a NCAA green light). Additionally, he could sign up for classes all the way up until a week or two after spring classes already started if the professors let him in.

I have no reason to believe John isn't coming to BU. I'm sure there are some problems (like his father getting time off to drive him up to BU for advisement, orientation, etc. Just like getting him to Chicago for a safe place to place ball, nothing grim.) we don't fully know about. The NCAA likes to drag their feet and if there was some indication that the NCAA was going to take the scenic route qualifying John then plans may have drastically changed.

I still think he will enroll by next Friday. Maybe he is waiting for finals to end so he can enroll the same day he would begin practicing and be allowed to move in somewhere on-campus. Hopefully he is cleared by the NCAA swiftly and ready to go by the 1st of the year. He will undoubtedly need some time to get into playing shape, but honestly we need all the help we can get over 6'5 no matter the skill set. He could play limited minutes, gradually increasing with his conditioning.

[BUBrave28]

Actually, none of the basketball players are listed in the student directory. So scratch that. There is an Egolf here though, didn't know that was such a common name

[ER3]

I can tell you that after a quick search of the BU web directory that there is no John Wilkins currently enrolled at BU.

Classes were open for registration going on a month now. That doesn't mean he couldn't enroll tomorrow, or any day next week, and still be eligible for December 20 (pending a NCAA green light). Additionally, he could sign up for classes all the way up until a week or two after spring classes already started if the professors let him in.

I have no reason to believe John isn't coming to BU. I'm sure there are some problems (like his father getting time off to drive him up to BU for advisement, orientation, etc. Just like getting him to Chicago for a safe place to place ball, nothing grim.) we don't fully know about. The NCAA likes to drag their feet and if there was some indication that the NCAA was going to take the scenic route qualifying John then plans may have drastically changed.

I still think he will enroll by next Friday. Maybe he is waiting for finals to end so he can enroll the same day he would begin practicing and be allowed to move in somewhere on-campus. Hopefully he is cleared by the NCAA swiftly and ready to go by the 1st of the year. He will undoubtedly need some time to get into playing shape, but honestly we need all the help we can get over 6'5 no matter the skill set. He could play limited minutes, gradually increasing with his conditioning.

Doubtful...and highly doubtful.
I don't think there is much reason to be optimistic that Wilkins will enroll or play at BU this year...

Braves Briefs: One week before the end of first semester, the case of committed Bradley recruit John Wilkins of Belgium still seems far from any resolution. Bradley has not heard from the NCAA Clearinghouse's Eligibility Center, which means Wilkins' academic documentation from his Belgium high school has not yet been received. The transcripts the NCAA receives must be originals and have to come through the Belgian government. Wilkins was hopeful of being enrolled at BU for second semester and start practice next week. Aside from the grades issues, Wilkins' amateurism also will need to be evaluated by the eligibility center. He made a limited number of appearances for a Belgian professional team two years ago.

[BUBrave28]

Hadn't seen that. But, agreed. I am still going to hold out hope he enrolls for spring semester soon. That would be a good sign and a significant move in the right direction from the status quo.

[Chico]

Saw in the PJS several days ago where the clearinghouse cleared some player to play. Don't remember what school, but pretty sure it was a BCS school. Of course they get faster service than lil ol Bradley.

[VeveJones007]

Actually, none of the basketball players are listed in the student directory. So scratch that. There is an Egolf here though, didn't know that was such a common name

Will's brother works for the University, so I guess you could go back to thinking it's not that common of a name.

[BradleyBrave]

Saw in the PJS several days ago where the clearinghouse cleared some player to play. Don't remember what school, but pretty sure it was a BCS school. Of course they get faster service than lil ol Bradley.

If the NCAA hasn't received JW's academic records from Belgium, we have nothing to complain about.

[BUBraves06]

If I were a betting man, I would bet good money he isn't a Brave this season.

Sadly, I agree.

[Chucky T's]

My fear is if he dosen't attend BU this semester then we will not se him at Bradley at all. I'd feel much better if he were at least on campus for the spring semester.

[SFP]

Thats a real touchy subject here because no one really knows anything...

This is the simplist most acurate post out of all of these. Only 3 parties know what the whole deal is:

NCAA Clearinghouse - Who will not comment
BU administration and basketball coaching staff - Who cannot comment
JW and his family - Who can make a comment and if you know him or his father you can find out but up to now they have been pretty silent

This is one of those things where either X-mas comes early in a 6'8" shooter or the NCAA Clearinghouse acts like the Grinch

[georgethedog]

My fear is if he dosen't attend BU this semester then we will not se him at Bradley at all. I'd feel much better if he were at least on campus for the spring semester.

Yea, Chucky T, that is also my concern. I want him on campus whether or not he plays this year. The longer he is not at BU the more likely a young person may be swayed to divert to somewhere else...

On a related topic, I have completely lowered my expectations for Bardley Basketball. I will never be dissappointed again when; key players get hurt, recruits don't come, highly touted recruits turn out to be only average, jc transfers take a year (or more) to get it, future NBA players transfer, and on and on and on... I am just going to watch games for pure entertainment, eat some popcorn, and to throw down a couple cold ones. No more letdowns for Professor GTD! I'm getting too old for that...

[braves12]

gtd,

With that approach you will live much longer and be much happier. You will not be disappointed and anything good will be like a plus. Also, you will not have to worry about any of your posts being deleted.