A basketball fans outlook

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CORRECTION

On Wednesday you read an account claiming Dr. J. and not Michael Jordan was the first NBA player to sign an exclusive shoe deal. While I published what I believed was correct a retraction is required on my part based on additional research. The following is from AI Overview: “The first NBA signature shoe deal is widely credited to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who signed with Adidas in 1971, featuring his face and signature on the tongue.

Earlier, Bob Cousy promoted PF Flyers in 1958, and Walt "Clyde" Frazier received the PUMA Clyde in 1971, but Abdul-Jabbar’s is considered the first official, modern signature basketball shoe.” You might wonder how I came to write the Wednesday story, below is the link I utilized for the foundation of the account. I’ve always believed in providing accurate and concise information in whatever I’m involved and that is the case here. I want to provide the correction up front rather than “hide it” somewhere where most of you will not see or read it.  

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1442432877610117

Speak although several don’t agree

Gary Parrish of CBS Sports is a sound voice regarding college basketball. I listened to a discussion on Kansas basketball and he laid it on the line. A number might be displeased while realist recognize the truth. Much of his discussion centered on the NCAA Tournament, Parrish stated, “Kansas could go out in the Field of 32, but could go on a run.” Sounds as if he’s talking out of both sides of his mouth although I don’t believe that to be the case. He mentioned the Darryn Peterson effect on the team and cited other issues. He focused on an area I believe is overlooked, Kansas has not won the Big 12 regular season championship in three seasons. Houston arrived two years ago and Arizona last season and both have been winners shutting out Kansas.

Parrish went on to mention NIL and the transfer portal being a factor in how Bill Self is able to coach this team. Here’s the truth, I’m unsure who was conducting the pushing however they wanted Houston, Arizona and some of the other schools’ added over the past few years. As proof they were exclusive it’s been reported they turned down the application of Memphis to join the Big 12. Kansas basketball continues to hold a national presence however “the bulb” is a little dimmer now. As proof, they were able to recruit Darryn Peterson but lost prospect AJ Dybansta to BYU. The name Keaton Wagler might be unfamiliar to some, this Illinois freshman was just named a Second Team All American. He played his high school basketball at Shawnee Mission NW and was named the Top Boys Basketball Player in the State of Kansas in 2025. Wagler flew beneath the radar, several schools recruited him however Kansas and Kansas State failed to scout him, more on Wagler below.

They missed

Sometimes talent exist in your own backyard and you might not be aware, that would be the case for Keaton Wagler. Drivetime from Lawrence home of the University of Kansas is less than an hour from Shawnee Mission NW High School. It was probably more than the drive which caused the 6-foot 6 Wagler to be overlooked. Although he was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Kansas reports are he was a late bloomer. In any event there were just a few schools recruiting him including Illinois. He headed to Bloomington to begin play for Brad Underwood, although a freshman he managed to score at nearly an 18 point game a clip assisting Illinois to a 24-8 record and second place in the Big 10.

Recently Wagler was named an All American Second team member. In addition Wagler is listed on all three of the NBA mock draft sites I routinely monitor. Wagler is listed the 8th pick in the first round for nbadraft.net, while nbadraftroom.com places him in the 10 slot in the first round. Finally tankathon.com/mock_draft has Wagler at 6 also in the first round. Naturally with Illinois a tournament team nothing will be discussed on his future until after the tournament is complete. Once upon a time I held the belief for all athletes, stay in school the NBA will be there when you finish school. I said that was my long ago view, now…take the money!

The Goat---it ain’t MJ

If you believe the Goat is someone other than the man I’m naming so be it. Before revealing his name I will venture to say no one in the history of the game can compare with these accolades. With that said here goes:

19-time NBA All-Star

11-time Defensive First or Second Team

6-time NBA MVP awards

6-time NBA Champion

4-time NBA Blocks Leader

3 State High School Championships

3 NCAA Championships

3-time College Player of the Year honors

High school team won 95 out of 101 games played

College team won 88 out of the 90 games they played

Keep in mind, basketball remains a team game, he would fail to win that number of high school and college games without outstanding teammates. Lew Alcindor a.k.a. Kareem Abdul Jabbar was paramount in the winning record and honors he accomplished during his basketball career. In addition keep in mind this fact, you are only reading a smallish portion of the honors. Why is he not included in conversations as the best ever…standing 7-feet 2 inch he’s too tall and fails to “fly.” Michael Jordan is 6-foot 6 while LeBron James is 6-foot 9. In closing once again I say, you might have someone else as your Goat, that’s okay…Kareem Abdul Jabbar is my goat.