WKU Basketball: Charles Bassey’s Commitment Will Not Play Out Like Mitchell Robinson’s Did

In the immediate aftermath of the news of Charles Bassey’s commitment to the Hilltoppers, there was a near universal chorus of non-Topper…

In the immediate aftermath of the news of Charles Bassey’s commitment to the Hilltoppers, there was a near universal chorus of non-Topper fans on Twitter who were wondering if this was just the same script of a different movie.

Those who made the connection aren’t to blame — it’s one of the highest profile recruits in the country, it’s a school that, so far, is 0-for-1 when it comes to retaining Top 20 guys and plus, it’s just an easy joke, so it’s almost a crime not to make it.

But, there are a couple of things playing into the Tops’ favor this time around with Bassey more so than with Robinson.

The first of all is the timing — Robinson signed his LOI in November of 2016 but soon took to twitter to announce he was decommiting (something that isn’t possible, easily at least, once you have your name on the paper).

“After careful consideration, I have decided to DECOMMIT from the University of Western Kentucky and explore my options this only happens once.”

That’s what the infamous, now deleted tweet, from Robinson said.

With Robinson signing so far in advance, any number of things could have happened. My working theory is someone like Kansas got in his ear and told him how good he is and how he could be apart of a national title team elsewhere, and the more he was talked up by bigger schools, the less WKU seemed desirable.

Not only did Bassey sign with just a couple of months before the start of the semester for, but he also reclassified to come to the Hill, I think he’s more than happy with his decision.

Also, there’s part of me that thinks Rick Stansbury would put is foot down and explain to Bassey that, if he has any intention of doing what Robinson did, to not even bother. I may be putting too much faith in each party here, but I’m willing to go through the heartbreak if so.

While he isn’t a Kentucky native, he did come to the Bluegrass from his home in Nigeria, and being local, for however long he has been local, doesn’t hurt either.

Along with that, Bassey has some relationships to the Topper program in former guard Junior Lomomba and current forward Moustapha Diagne, in which Chad Bishop details here.

And finally, what I’m gonna call the Taveion Effect is in full display here: It’s been well chronicled that Taveion wanted to be a Wildcat, wasn’t offered to be a Wildcat and is now making name for himself in Bowling Green. A bit of a similar situation is happening here, if you believe the scuttlebutt. Bassey wanted to be with the Cats but either never got an offer or didn’t get an offer he was thrilled with, and his relationship with Stansbury helped push the decision over the edge.

Plus, he probably wants to get to the pros as quickly as possible, so reclassifying to play for a team you know wants you as opposed to waiting for an offer that might? come over the next few months sets you up in a better position.

Sure, there are parallels between Robinson and Bassey, but really only in the aesthetics. I’ll be the first to admit this could all go south for the Tops again, but I’ll also be shocked if it does.

Bassey is a Hilltopper, and I know I’ll be resting easy.