micah downs

whitetrashgriz · Post by **whitetrashgriz** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 5:09 pm

just saw that the former butte bulldog left ku citing personal reasons. he played quite a bit early in the season but playing time has diminished since. anyone here close to the family and have any ideas what his future playing status will be?

KSCAT · Post by **KSCAT** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 3:57 pm

College Gameday said this morning that Downs was seen on Gonzaga's campus and will likely transfer there. They also reported that he was supposedly also considering UW. He has until thursday to enroll in classes at Gonzaga according to NCAA rules.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Sat Jan 28, 2006 10:25 pm

What is the scoop on this kid, is he a head case or bloated ego type guy. Or good kid trying to find somewhere to fit in.

PapaG · Post by **PapaG** » Sun Jan 29, 2006 6:12 pm

JahGriz wrote:What is the scoop on this kid, is he a head case or bloated ego type guy. Or good kid trying to find somewhere to fit in.

I just got back home from visiting my brother and his family in Seattle and noticed this morning that today's Seattle Times/PI sports section had an article confirming that Downs is headed to Gonzaga.

He's not a headcase; he apparently didn't fit the KU system well and the Morrison slot will be open after this season in Spokane. Another big get for the 'Zags.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:47 am

Thanks PapaG.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:52 am

Micah was rate a top HS 25 player last year. There are those (me included ) who felt he was a little overrated. At 6-8 he is a small forward with unlimited range, but is very, very slight of build. It was figured he would be a great addition to Kansas, but in late summer Brandon Rush a 6-6 small forward who had NBA potential decided to attend Kansas. Rush was a top HS 5 player last year and plays the same position as Micah. Rush declared for the NBA draft, but then withdrew, and needed a college. Rush does not have the range of Micah, but is stronger and a top notch athlete. Micah started out the season playing a lot of minutes but as Rush started to adjust to college ball Micah minutes and points started to decline. There were a lot of people in the state of Washington predicting he would not last the year in Kansas
For the record if you have Micah on your team you must also deal with Micah's dad. Micah's dad controls every thing Micah does. In high school Micah attended 5 different high schools in 4 years. The stories are legendary on how much his dad would make demands of his high school coaches. At one point last year Micah's dad announced to the media that Micah would most like skip college and go strait to the NBA, problem is he did not bother to tell Micah that and Micah got flooded with questions at school and basketball practice about it and he had no idea what people were talking about. My understanding is that Kansas did not shed one tear when Micah transferred. They will have Brandon Rush at the small forward and an extra scholarship for next year.
I am not sure, if I was Gonzaga if I would take him. Gonzaga has a good thing going right now, and great athletes coming. Micah carries a lot of baggage and is he willing to be a team player.

JahGriz · Post by **JahGriz** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:56 pm

I knew I had heard something that made me think he was a head case (maybe not the most accurate term), but apparently it was about his dad instead of him. That explains it mslacat.
5 H.S.'s in 4 years, man, that can't be easy on a kid either.

mslacat · Post by **mslacat** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:53 pm

FYI
It is being reported that Micah has enrolled at Gonzaga, but on his own dime. Few has told him that he will review his progress and determine as to whether he will be allowed to walk-on next year (possible scholarship).

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:42 pm

I wonder if Micah's Dad is any relationship to Todd Marinavich's Dad?

4everacatfan · Post by **4everacatfan** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 7:33 pm

JahGriz wrote:I knew I had heard something that made me think he was a head case (maybe not the most accurate term), but apparently it was about his dad instead of him. That explains it mslacat.
5 H.S.'s in 4 years, man, that can't be easy on a kid either.

9th grade School in Nevada
10th Butte High + WHitehall
11th Bothell High School (Suburb of Seattle)
12th Juanita High School (Suburb of Seattle and same conference)

Micah unfortunately is the victim of an overzealous dad trying to re - live his youth through his son's ability. Heard from a friend in Seattle younger brother (9th grader) not as good and not as big but Dad took him and moved him to Rainer Beach another Suburb of Seattle that plays the other above mentioned schools and is mad because he is a sub on the sophomore team.

Micah needs to break ties with his dad and he may have a chance at success. He has all the tools to play but needs 3 or 4 years to refine and strengthen himself for the NBA.