Podcasts
Ep. 190 - Cooper Flagg & New Balance: Game Changer? Recruiting in NIL Era + More!
On Episode 190 of the Ballislife In The Paint Show hosts Ronnie Flores, Ani Umana go hard on Duke's Cooper Flagg (2024 Mr. Basketball USA) signing an endorsement deal with New Balance. Is this a turning point in legit endorsements for college and high school players? Will Flagg be successful enough for other Nike competitors to throw big money at young endorsers? Is this a sign of Nike complacency? How much pressure is there on New Balance to make the Flagg campaign successful so he remains with the company long term?
Ani goes hard on college recruiting in the NIL era. Is it all about 'the bag"? Is there any loyalty left in recruiting D1 players, or does the highest bidder win out every time? Ani dishes on how fit still matters even at the expense of taking less money. The ITP crew discusses my fit and program still matter and Ron dishes on why too many men's college basketball players are focused on the short game (fast NIL money) over the long game (more focus on fit, college degree and college network).
Chelsea and Ron also touch on how we're still early in the NIL recruiting era and how there is still a lack of concrete evidence to use to make concrete decisions on and the origins of the NIL era. After three years, many in the public space are still confused. NIL is here to stay but where did it start and its direction is what matters!
Ani and Ronnie dish on recent grassroots standouts at various events, including the Formula Zero Elite Camp, the Mamba League showcase, the Kenny Smith Lead Guard Workout and Beach City Hoops SoCal Showdown. Who were the standouts and who are the top 2028 players on the West Coast?
Noted SoCal grassroots coach Pat Barrett of the SoCal All-Stars passes at 72. We briefly talk about how he touched every segment of our current ITP pod episode and how negative exposure can sometimes fuel popularity.
The ITP Crew close the show by touching on the WNBA ROY debate and why Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese are exceeding expectations. Will Clark one day be the best player in the W? Ani and Chelsea debate!
The ITP Crew goes in-depth on a variety of topics in this week's pod, so make sure to tune in to Episode 190 from start to finish! Also make sure to check out our ITP Overtime shorts for more info, insight and behind the scenes stories!
(0:00) - Intro
(1:33) - Cooper Flagg to New Balance: What It Means!
(10:45) - Recruiting in NIL Era: All Bag, No Loyalty?
(17:02) - Recruiting: Program & Fit Still Matter?
(23:10) - NIL Recruiting: Short Term Over Long Term?
(31:17) - NIL Era: Still Early in Learning Curve
(37:18) - Origins of NIL
(39:22) - Recent Grassroots Basketball Standouts
(48:14) - Top 2028s In AZ at Local Schools!
(52:47) - Pat Barrett/SoCal All-Stars History
(57:08) - WNBA ROY Race: It's Over!
(1:06:41) - Caitlin Clark: Best Player After A'ja?
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