Cleanthony Early ready to showcase talents

[fastbow]

All this talk about All American status...

Will we be retiring Cle's jersey if it happens?

[wu_shizzle]

All this talk about All American status...

Will we be retiring Cle's jersey if it happens?

He would qualify.

[Aargh]

He would qualify.

I think "eligible" is more accurate than "qualified". There seem to be some post-graduate considerations that affected Robert Elmore and Warren Armstrong.

[GoShockers89]

.

[Kung Wu]

Did either of them make an All American team? I think that's what he's referring to.

Every retired number was an All American, and every Shocker that's ever been an All American has their number retired. Except Ross McBurney in 1927.

DO IT FOR MCBURNEY!!!

At the first game this year I am going to start a McBurney chant. I'll be the only one in my section standing and repeating "McBurney! McBurney! McBurney!", and when those security bastards come haul me off, the 5 or 6 of you Shockernetters that were in ear shot can say "there goes Kung Wu." Of course I'll be screaming and flailing like a little girl trying to grab on to @pogo:'s jacket before they haul me off cuz I ain't goin' down without a fight!

McBurney!

McBurney!

McBurney!

[fastbow]

In all seriousness though, we talk about All American-ness as the threshold for retiring a jersey. But we've never had to deal with the prospect of a JuCo player reaching that milestone. Is two years and an AA enough?

[Kung Wu]

In all seriousness though, we talk about All American-ness as the threshold for retiring a jersey. But we've never had to deal with the prospect of a JuCo player reaching that milestone. Is two years and an AA enough?

It's a legitimate question. If we win a national championship next year and he's averaging 15+ ppg -- doesn't it seem automatic? Yet if we "only" make it to the Sweet-16 and he's averaging 14 ppg, what then?

It'll be a fun problem to watch the smart people solve!

[GoShockers89]

.

[Kung Wu]

Without wanting to jinx anything, I'd say sure. He was also our leading scorer on a team that went to the Final Four, and represented us on the All Tournament Team.

Couple that with 1st, 2nd or 3rd Team All American and an NBA draft pick and he'd be hard to vote against.

For myself, I can't see justification for hanging a jersey in the rafters based on a single season. Hall of fame? Sure. Lifetime burgers at Spangles? Yup. But jersey in the rafters is going to take more than one magic season and a spot on an NBA roster I think.

Edit: Well I ignored your All America criteria which would have to happen this season. I'd say last year coupled with 1st team AA and it's in the discussion. 3rd team doesn't overwhelm. 2nd is questionable --- it would have to be another fantastic season and his stats will have to be awesome. I mean retiring a jersey is serious bidness.

[SubGod22]

If he's an AA, I don't care if he's only here for two years. If that's the criteria that's been set forth, it works for me.

I'd forgotten about Ross McBurney.

[GoShockers89]

.

[shock]

For myself, I can't see justification for hanging a jersey in the rafters based on a single season. Hall of fame? Sure. Lifetime burgers at Spangles? Yup. But jersey in the rafters is going to take more than one magic season and a spot on an NBA roster I think.

Edit: Well I ignored your All America criteria which would have to happen this season. I'd say last year coupled with 1st team AA and it's in the discussion. 3rd team doesn't overwhelm. 2nd is questionable --- it would have to be another fantastic season and his stats will have to be awesome. I mean retiring a jersey is serious bidness.

+1 for the signature

[WstateU]

IIRC (FWIW), Cliff was a member of the preseason 1981-82 Playboy All-American Team; probably
spent a night or two at Hugh’s bungalow… lucky dog! :congratulatory:

[Kung Wu]

Cliff left early, was 3rd Team All American in the Basketball Times (about the 5th most reputable/publicized All American list at the time), was one of about 60 AP Honorable Mention All Americans that year, and only played in one NCAA Tournament (reaching the Elite Eight).

I think Cleanthony would compare favorably if he plays to his ceiling this year.

Well, I can't argue with any of that.

[pogo]

IIRC (FWIW), Cliff was a member of the preseason 1981-82 Playboy All-American Team; probably
spent a night or two at Hugh’s bungalow… lucky dog! :congratulatory:

All but a couple of those guys had very good careers in the NBA.