There was a big stink when Florida's Billy Donovan went against the National Association of Basketball Coaches recommendation that coaches stop recruiting kids who haven't completed their sophomore year in high school.

Three weeks after that declaration, Donovan signed Doc Rivers' son ... who was still in the 8th grade. Oh, and he doesn't think there is anything wrong with that:

"I don't know if it really made a whole lot of sense," Donovan said. "Because one of the things they should be doing, at least from my perspective, is opening up the lines of communication more than closing them down."

"I think for the NABC just to mandate when we can offer scholarships and when we can't -- what we need to be doing is (exploring) how can we open up the lines of communication more to get to know these kids better," he said.

"Whether the school offers at any age really comes down to the family and what the family thinks is in the best interest of the kid. I don't think anybody's forcing anybody to do anything."

This is a very hot topic, especially since the NABC (which is obviously run by the coaches) has come out against this practice. There is a line of thinking that coaches should keep in contact with these kids so they are more acclimated to the program, the coach and the college lifestyle change. Another line wants these kids to be kids and develop in their own time frame.

Donovan Doesn't Think NABC Should Tell Him Who He Can Recruit originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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