Off the current topic but on the original one - I don't know if there were anyone else but me who was watching IL like waiting for a teapot ready to boil, and then once Smith scheduled his announcement couldn't bring myself to log in for 24 hours to see what actually happened. Have to say that being pleasantly surprised is nice - guess hooping34 really walked the walk on this one.
Mark Smith signs with Illinois
TownieMatt
CU Expat
- Chicago
I scrolled to this and thought I was on r/ussoccer...
Pulisic is the future!!!
I read a funny comment on a Spartan board after Hondo had done his in home interview. Something to the effect of "Izzo walks into the living room for his in-home only to see Hondo already sitting on the couch, Hondo says "Tom, how the hell are ya.""
I burst out laughing at that one
DaChief4ever
- Urbana
Just by shear numbers...how many teams in MLB vs NBA? How many players on a team? Length of careers, etc.
ESPN finally got around to putting up an article on their site about the Smith signing.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...inois-mr-basketball-mark-smith-commits-illini
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...inois-mr-basketball-mark-smith-commits-illini
sacraig
- The desert
Give them a break. They are basically culling their entire staff.
lol, unfortunately mine isn't any better
And you know who gets thanks for that, in this instance? Bruce Weber.
By the way, who is the lead recruiter we should thank for Mark Smith?
And you know who gets thanks for that, in this instance? Bruce Weber.
If he had signed an LOI (like Trent) sure, but Malcolm was part of Groce's first signing class.
100% Jamall Walker. Straight from BU's mouth.
IlliniCyborg
- Edwardsville, IL
I live a few doors down from the Smiths. They are great people and Mark is the perfect Illini. Not only a great athlete, but a great kid. My whole family is so excited!
Wayyy back in this thread but this comment made me laugh so hard. I hope this board never forgets that AD.
For those who were concerned, ESPN finally posted an article on the commitment.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...inois-mr-basketball-mark-smith-commits-illini
http://es.pn/2pnkqVS
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http://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...inois-mr-basketball-mark-smith-commits-illini
http://es.pn/2pnkqVS
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Continuing the talk on the financials of various pro leagues.
The NBA has a very generous retirement plan. Up to $200k per year for qualified players. They also have a 401(k) with a max match - if a player puts in his max (~$18k), the league matches at 140%.
The downside is that you have to play 3 seasons to get even the beginner pension (closer to $60k), and 11 years for the max. As others have pointed out, getting on a roster is harder in the NBA due to the smaller number of spots available. Sticking for 3 to 11 years is harder.
MLB is a little less generous, but much easier to qualify for. 43 days on the active roster gets you in (around $35k, plus insurance). However, fully vested (10 years) only gets around $100k per year.
If you don't make the majors, you don't really get much though. There is a scholarship for players who go to the minors straight out of HS. While nice, this is not as valuable as a baseball scholarship, IMO. You don't get any help with admissions and you don't get the added perks of being a scholarship athlete (tutoring, etc.).
MLB really needs to start protecting career minor league guys better, IMO. However, the negotiations are between the owners and MLBPA, so they are not represented at the table.
The NFL's is the worst. It also has a 3 year requirement, which is just too long for the sport, IMO. It is improving but no where near what it needs to be.
Someone mentioned PGA, and they have one that is based on career winnings. I don't really know the details, but that kind of defeats the purpose IMO. Retirement plans should be focused on assuring the low performers are taken care of.
All things being equal, in terms of finances I think MLB players have it best, followed closely by NBA players.
The NBA has a very generous retirement plan. Up to $200k per year for qualified players. They also have a 401(k) with a max match - if a player puts in his max (~$18k), the league matches at 140%.
The downside is that you have to play 3 seasons to get even the beginner pension (closer to $60k), and 11 years for the max. As others have pointed out, getting on a roster is harder in the NBA due to the smaller number of spots available. Sticking for 3 to 11 years is harder.
MLB is a little less generous, but much easier to qualify for. 43 days on the active roster gets you in (around $35k, plus insurance). However, fully vested (10 years) only gets around $100k per year.
If you don't make the majors, you don't really get much though. There is a scholarship for players who go to the minors straight out of HS. While nice, this is not as valuable as a baseball scholarship, IMO. You don't get any help with admissions and you don't get the added perks of being a scholarship athlete (tutoring, etc.).
MLB really needs to start protecting career minor league guys better, IMO. However, the negotiations are between the owners and MLBPA, so they are not represented at the table.
The NFL's is the worst. It also has a 3 year requirement, which is just too long for the sport, IMO. It is improving but no where near what it needs to be.
Someone mentioned PGA, and they have one that is based on career winnings. I don't really know the details, but that kind of defeats the purpose IMO. Retirement plans should be focused on assuring the low performers are taken care of.
All things being equal, in terms of finances I think MLB players have it best, followed closely by NBA players.
Sal Iacuzzo
- Yonkers, NY
One day on an MLB roster gets you lifetime healthcare which is nice.
This isn't true though right? Izzo visited at the end of March, and I thought Honda came down ton Edwardsville after Mark's official visit.
sacraig
- The desert
But that can't be true. Haven't you heard some of the posters around here? He was hired to keep Tilmon in the fold and, failing that, is apparently not good for anything else.
To be fair, I said Tilmon "and a good chance at Smith" at the time.
I remain worried about the staff from a coaching perspective, but as I said, I'm all in on the Underwood era, he shot his shot with Mark Smith and hit it. Let's go
Case in point :
Dee Brown additionally was both the starting quarterback and a track star at Proviso East. Track coach said he was the fastest kid he'd ever worked with, and here's his football story :
"Brown also played football at Proviso East, starting at quarterback and lettering in 2000 and 2001. Brown passed and ran for more than 1,800 yards (1,600 m) and 16 touchdowns in seven games as a quarterback during his senior season and earned recruiting overtures from Florida State University and the University of Nebraska for football."
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BananaShampoo
Captain 'Paign
- Phoenix, AZ
He was probably hardly ever able to go to any of the meets given that basketball season and track season coincide.
Plenty of time to go from basketball to track. You will miss indoor track, but that isn't much of a thing in IL. Basketball ends by mid-March. Track sectionals are mid-May.
IlliniInOK
- no longer in OK! Centralia, IL
AAU basketball conflicts though
Technically more like a nex:thumb:t doorer.