[SuperJon]

One thing to remember, Braxton had several D1 options to choose from when he selected us. It's not like he won't be wanted elsewhere, and from what I hear he could be moving UP.

If we don't release him, he'd have to redshirt this year, correct?

[jcmanson]

That's my understanding. Since he signed his NLI he is basically treated as any other player who wants to transfer.

[olldflame]

While I have no information on Braxton's status with other programs, the fact that he previously had other offers certainly doesn't mean those scholarships are still available. When you sign a NLI it's like you no longer exist to the other schools who were recruiting you. They move on and sign other players.

[jcmanson]

You're putting words in my mouth. I never stated any of the schools that offered him earlier are after him. I was just stating there will be schools who want him.

[flameshaw]

I know, but I cannot say.


Seriously.......I have heard a specific school mentioned, it is just a rumor, but a pretty good source.


Would like to see him reconsider, but don't think that is in the cards at all.

[Bigsouthking]

Most of you guys are soft on this board.... has anyone met Pop??

That kid should have a foot up his rear by someone in Nashville and tell him to get his butt back to Lynchburg... at least play for a year then leave, how can you be so sorry to quit 1 week into summer school...what a baby.

Delete this thread. this kid isn't worth fans talking about.

[olldflame]

Most of you guys are soft on this board.... has anyone met Pop??

That kid should have a foot up his rear by someone in Nashville and tell him to get his butt back to Lynchburg... at least play for a year then leave, how can you be so sorry to quit 1 week into summer school...what a baby.

Delete this thread. this kid isn't worth fans talking about.

Pop is Braxton's maternal grandfather. His dad, Bobby Bonds Jr., is not around. Curious to know where mom stands on this.

[bluejacket]

Nothing like blowing a full athletic scholarship for being homesick or even worse if true, a girl!!
thats the type of kid that will get you beat anyway. put the whole program in a pickle now, where do they go get a guard in July??

This is someone who lacks perspective.

How so? I think he nails it pretty good. Especially the 'where do they get a guard in July' thing.

Clearly, there is a lot going on in this young man's life and that needs to be worked out within his family. He needs to be an adult and accept responsibility for his actions thus far, but there are also a lot of folks at Liberty who did not do their due diligence and figure out that this might happen. Leaving after one week is a sign that he was never thrilled about Liberty in the first place, they had to sell him pretty hard, and overlooked warning signs that could have been seen.

Bigsouthking is overly consumed by what happens with the team and not what is best for this youngman. Do I wish that he would have stayed? Of course. But its also better that this happen now (even though it is extremely late and puts the team in an difficult situation).

As I said before, I wish him the best and hope that he gets everything straightened out. This guy can get a scholarship at almost any D-II school that he wants, as well as quite a few D-I schools. He won't be paying for college or "blowing an athletic scholarship." Another one is likely waiting right now.

[bluejacket]

When you sign a NLI it's like you no longer exist to the other schools who were recruiting you. They move on and sign other players.

Yes, coaches do move on and sign other players, but its not like they are dead to them. They know about hits, misses, and what-might-have-beens. If it is in a coach's interests to get him to their school, they will do everything in their power to get him there. This guy could be the difference between a coach getting an extension or getting fired. It could even be that way for Dale Layer.

[Purple Haize]

Clearly, there is a lot going on in this young man's life and that needs to be worked out within his family. He needs to be an adult and accept responsibility for his actions thus far, but there are also a lot of folks at Liberty who did not do their due diligence and figure out that this might happen. Leaving after one week is a sign that he was never thrilled about Liberty in the first place, they had to sell him pretty hard, and overlooked warning signs that could have been seen.

Bigsouthking is overly consumed by what happens with the team and not what is best for this youngman. Do I wish that he would have stayed? Of course. But its also better that this happen now (even though it is extremely late and puts the team in an difficult situation).

As I said before, I wish him the best and hope that he gets everything straightened out. This guy can get a scholarship at almost any D-II school that he wants, as well as quite a few D-I schools. He won't be paying for college or "blowing an athletic scholarship." Another one is likely waiting right now.

There is not a lot going on with him right now. What was best for this young man was to stay at Liberty. Period. End of Story. It was a childish moved implicitly agreed to by the adults in his life.
Like I said, I can write this kids future with about 86% accuracy. And it doesn't end with him in the NBA.

[bluejacket]

There is and has been a lot going on with him. It doesn't take a rocket science to figure that out. He's a D-I caliber athlete entering college. He's been treated like a child for his entire life and finally been forced to make a decision. Everyone turns a blind eye because it fits their interests and, surprise, its not what he wants. I am only blaming our coaches because they are the only ones with direct ties to Liberty. There are many people to blame.

Its very presumptuous to say that staying at Liberty was best for him and presumes a lot of detailed knowledge. With the benefit of hindsight, it was best for us that he not attend. No one on here is expecting him to make the NBA.

[Purple Haize]

There is and has been a lot going on with him. It doesn't take a rocket science to figure that out. He's a D-I caliber athlete entering college. He's been treated like a child for his entire life and finally been forced to make a decision. Everyone turns a blind eye because it fits their interests and, surprise, its not what he wants. I am only blaming our coaches because they are the only ones with direct ties to Liberty. There are many people to blame.

Its very presumptuous to say that staying at Liberty was best for him and presumes a lot of detailed knowledge. With the benefit of hindsight, it was best for us that he not attend. No one on here is expecting him to make the NBA.

I would say that to any athlete at any school who did the same thing. It really only worked out well for one prom intake hoops player. Quitting is never a good thing. Sucking it up and fulfilling your obligations is always a good thing. He quit this easily over something not that tragic, means it will be easier next time. Millions of people have survived their Frosh year of college. It can be done. A great majority of athletes have gotten over the shock of no longer being the go to person and learned new roles. Finally, you need more than a week experience before you make a life altering decision. The coaches didn't quit, Braxton Bonds quit. Braxton Bonds will find more ways to quit and/or shirk responsibility in the future. It's my 86% guarantee

[bluejacket]

I would say that to any athlete at any school who did the same thing. It really only worked out well for one prom intake hoops player. Quitting is never a good thing. Sucking it up and fulfilling your obligations is always a good thing. He quit this easily over something not that tragic, means it will be easier next time. Millions of people have survived their Frosh year of college. It can be done. A great majority of athletes have gotten over the shock of no longer being the go to person and learned new roles. Finally, you need more than a week experience before you make a life altering decision. The coaches didn't quit, Braxton Bonds quit. Braxton Bonds will find more ways to quit and/or shirk responsibility in the future. It's my 86% guarantee

1. I am not going to speculate on some kid's future who was only at Liberty for a week, just like I can't say for certain what is best for him.

2. I'll say it again:

With the benefit of hindsight, it was best for us that he not attend.

[Purple Haize]

I would say that to any athlete at any school who did the same thing. It really only worked out well for one prom intake hoops player. Quitting is never a good thing. Sucking it up and fulfilling your obligations is always a good thing. He quit this easily over something not that tragic, means it will be easier next time. Millions of people have survived their Frosh year of college. It can be done. A great majority of athletes have gotten over the shock of no longer being the go to person and learned new roles. Finally, you need more than a week experience before you make a life altering decision. The coaches didn't quit, Braxton Bonds quit. Braxton Bonds will find more ways to quit and/or shirk responsibility in the future. It's my 86% guarantee

1. I am not going to speculate on some kid's future who was only at Liberty for a week, just like I can't say for certain what is best for him.

2. I'll say it again:

With the benefit of hindsight, it was best for us that he not attend.

This guy sums it pretty well
[youtube]

[/youtube]
Conviction of honor - honor your commitments
Good sense -Definitely not.

In hindsight it was best he not COMMIT to Liberty but he did so its best he should have attended for more than a week.

[olldflame]

Consider the dilemma Layer faces now in deciding whether to release Braxton from his NLI. It would make things nice and easy/convenient for him as a basketball player, but would it actually be in his best interest as a person? I'm thinking it would not.

[SuperJon]

I wouldn't release him but I'm a horrible person.

[jinxy]

I would not release him. He has left the program in a pickle with only 1 real pg. He made a commitment so he should be held to that this year. Layer is on the hot seat so this hurts him even more.

[olldflame]

I wouldn't release him but I'm a horrible person.

It appears that the one person who is in a position to make Braxton follow through with his commitment is unwilling to do so. At least DL can help him understand their are consequences to his irresponsibility.

[TDDance234]

Time to move on. There isn't any use in crying over spilt milk.

He doesn't want to be in Lynchburg and "forcing" him to sit for the season isn't the solution. Cut your losses and move on. If this was a 3-year starter, who simply wanted out, and we'd already invested several years in to a player, it would be different. We're talking about a kid who was on campus for a week and decided to leave. Better now than in two years when we've recruited to fit pieces around him.

[SuperJon]

I agree it's better now, but I wouldn't release him from his scholarship. He committed to us and should have to honor that or be forced to sit a year. When Curry wanted out, we put significant restrictions on where he could go. This is similar to that.

[jcmanson]

Dale is definitely in a tough spot with this decision. He has every right to make him sit for a year. This decision affects more than just BB.

[olldflame]

Time to move on. There isn't any use in crying over spilt milk.

He doesn't want to be in Lynchburg and "forcing" him to sit for the season isn't the solution. Cut your losses and move on. If this was a 3-year starter, who simply wanted out, and we'd already invested several years in to a player, it would be different. We're talking about a kid who was on campus for a week and decided to leave. Better now than in two years when we've recruited to fit pieces around him.

He's 17 years old. He made a hasty decision because he wasn't happy, and apparently has been enabled to do it by his mother. IMHO, someone needs to make him accountable. I hope Dale does. If we were talking about retribution it would be wrong, but I don't see it as that at all.

[Purple Haize]

I say DL should let him go. Just because BB is acting like a DB doesn't mean DL should. But I'm generally of the opinion coaches should let them go in this situation

[jinxy]

Decisions have consequences. Dale did not recruit another point because he had a commitment from a player that would see a lot of time. This is all on the player and the player should have to sit out this year no question. Its not retaliation its simply a consequence of poor judgment. Pop i really feel for you and that was exactly how i would feel if i were in your shoes. Theres only so much you can do. Absolutely wish everyone the best but he should sit a year.

[olldflame]

I say DL should let him go. Just because BB is acting like a DB doesn't mean DL should. But I'm generally of the opinion coaches should let them go in this situation

I would agree with you if coach had any motivation of retribution or punishment in holding him to his NLI. I doubt he would. I see it as an opportunity for the kid to learn an important life lesson about facing the consequences that come with the choices you make.