AJC’s Mr. Basketball gets offers from Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Auburn, Michigan, Georgia Tech, UGA, Alabama, more

Kentucky's John Calipari is charging fast and furiously after the AJC's Mr. Georgia Basketball (AP)

Kentucky's John Calipari is charging fast and furiously after the AJC's Mr. Georgia Basketball (AP)


*Memphis is latest to offer (click here)

In the short span of seven days, the AJC’s Mr. Georgia Basketball has turned into one of the hottest names in college basketball.

Georgia Tech, UGA, and Alabama have offered scholarships to Westlake High’s Marcus Thornton, who was officially granted a release from his letter-of-intent with Clemson last Friday.

Kentucky coach John Calipari has expressed heavy interest in Thornton, along with representatives from Texas and Florida. There is also speculation that Tennessee, Michigan, LSU and Auburn, among others, will also join the recruiting race. (Note: See Monday night’s updated list at the bottom).

“We’re very surprised by all the attention,” said Thornton’s father, Billy. “People told us to anticipate it, but you don’t really know what is going to happen. It has been very overwhelming, and we feel very blessed.”

The 6-foot-7 Thornton had a much lower profile when he committed to Clemson before his junior season, and then signed with the Tigers over Wake Forest and Maryland last November.

Will Hewitt take advantage of second chance? (AJC)

Will Hewitt take advantage of second chance? (AJC)

Thornton’s Q rating went off the charts after a monster senior season. He averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds while leading Westlake to the state championship game in Georgia’s largest classification. Also, Thornton is very attractive to scouts as an honor student with a 3.7 GPA.

Here are tidbits from the conversations between a few colleges and Thornton’s family:

  • Georgia Tech’s Paul Hewitt: “One of the things (Hewitt) was saying was how they missed out on Marcus early on. He was apologetic about it. He said by the time he knew about him in the early time frame, Clemson had scooped up Marcus. (Hewitt) was commendable to Clemson, about how they had indentified him early. He talked about Georgia Tech’s needs with Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors (declaring for the NBA Draft) and how there were some big opportunities there for Marcus.”
  • Georgia’s Mark Fox: “He was a very personable individual. He almost seems like a Southerner. To me, he seems like a natural fit to Georgia. When you call his cell phone, his ringback tone is the song “Georgia On My Mind.” That was very touching. Georgia had the advantage seeing Marcus a lot on the AAU circuit a lot because they were following Norcross High’s Jeremy Lamb (signed with UConn). They had the chance to observe Marcus, and were relenting in the fact that they never got to recruit him. This became a new opportunity for Georgia, as Marcus became available again.”
  • Kentucky’s Calipari: “He is a very impressive. He talked to us about what has transpired at Kentucky, and that he has eight people leaving (five underclassmen declaring for the NBA Draft, and three graduating seniors). He has some definite personnel needs. (Calipari) said he has to be able to recruit people who can hit the floor right away. He was using the term ‘He can’t hide them (any incoming recruits)’ because anyone that comes there is going to have to be a contributor. But he has a lot of people to choose from, I’m sure.”

Thornton has had a good relationship with Alabama’s Anthony Grant since his coaching days at Virginia Commonwealth. He is also waiting to see who will be Clemson’s next coach. Thornton only requested his release after Clemson’s Oliver Purnell resigned to take Depaul’s head coaching job last week. Purnell was a major reason why Thornton picked the Tigers.

Will Mr. Georgia Basketball become a free agent? (AJC file)

Next to offer? (AJC file)

“Marcus is intrigued by a lot of big-time coaches expressing interest,” his father said. “He had his mind absolutely set on Clemson, and he’s still a little disappointed that (Purnell) left. Not to say he won’t end up going to Clemson, because they are very much in consideration.

Your Thornton prediction?

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“Right now, the (recruiting process) is like being a kid in a candy store. By the same token, we’re ready to move forward with everything so Marcus can begin preparing for the next stage of his life.”

What’s next for Thornton? He will come up with a list of his top schools by the end of the week, and then set up either recruiting trips or in-house visits during the next NCAA contact period, which is April 16-21.

Click here to go to video of Thornton.

Updated at 11 p.m. Monday: As expected, the colleges have been offering scholarships at a dizzying pace on Monday. Thornton’s current offer sheet consists of Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Auburn, UTEP, along with the other four mentioned earlier — Georgia Tech, UGA, Alabama, and Clemson. Thornton is anticipating conversations with Memphis and Tennessee on Tuesday.

Marcus has already agreed to accept in-home visits with Kentucky, Georgia Tech, and UGA in two weeks, and still deciding among other schools.

Check back with the AJC for more updates.

178 comments Add your comment

UK rock star

April 13th, 2010
2:17 am

If Thornton comes to UK, he will be a rock star. He will be on National TV every game. UK’s midnight madness was crazy, and 5 star guys want to be invited to the party. GO BIG BLUE!!!

Good luck to all you also-rans

Loving It

April 13th, 2010
4:04 am

Keep dreaming UK fans. You have a cancer on your campus that will soon eat at the heart of your program worst than the infamous point shaving incident which led to the death penalty your program once received. Your APR has taken a major hit with the first class. Another class or two of one and dones and your APR will take such a hit that you soon may not have enough scholarships available to even field a team. Every one and done from this past class counts against your APR. Every player Cal ran off if they fail to graduate at their other school, counts against your APR. Every player who fails to make their grades thinking they were a one and done, counts against your APR. The time bomb is ticking as we get closer and closer to the time limit for these players to get their degrees. But don’t worry by that time Cal will have moved on to another dream job.

KevinM

April 13th, 2010
5:24 am

Cal has one class that leaves the potential that 5 guys get drafted in the first round, and all that brings is bashing? I have to say any program in Georgia would love to have this problem. It hasn’t ever happened before and the NBA is what is creating this problem. Ready or not, these kids are looking for ways to get drafted in the first round.
Call it as you wish, but they are looking for the coach who will get them the ability to be mentioned among the top players and who will get their game spotlighted.
What’s wrong with competing against the best players every day? You either accept the challenge to practice against the elite (which is what these kids can do potentially every day in Kentucky) and you are supported by the largest fan base in the country.
If the top SEC team comes calling, you listen and weigh your options. Calipari has 8-9 slots currently open. That basically means the playing time is up for grabs and who wants to start the year off in Maui as a throw-in bonus?
Please Georgia fans, present something that makes sense to this thread instead of:
- Cal is the biggest cheater and you will be sorry.
- UK will be on probation in 2 years.
- UK cheats the best in basketball.
- Even Coach Knight says so…….please, listen to Coach Knight. He is the ambassador for what is good about college basketball.

Please tell me how you missed this kid until his senior year. Please make the excuse that it was because of a new coach coming in. Where is Georgia mentioned in any of his choices? Has he said a visit from Fox is in place?

If you don’t like it, tell Coach Fox and Mr. Evans to get out there and find these recruits a little earlier in the process.

Same issue with Tech; how does this caliber of a player leave the state of Georgia? Amazing.

Does anyone want a list of all the kids who found out-of-state schools more appealing than Georgia or Tech? The talent is amazing here. When are you teams going to wake up and quit letting Memphis, UConn, Michigan State! and Kentucky from taking your players? Where’s Maya Moore today?

marcus

April 13th, 2010
5:57 am

you want national exposure and good coaching; then go to duke or unc. you want a wad of cash go to kentucky. you want an education head for tech, vandy or princeton. but if you want to go somewhere where the coach will look out for you then head for alabama.

UK FAN

April 13th, 2010
6:01 am

I came across this page on a UK recruiting page and I wish that I hadn’t started reading the comments. I bleed blue but I can promise you that if the University of Georgia, Tennessee, or anyone else in the SEC is playing a Duke or Kansas or whoever-I pull for them. I always like to see the SEC teams do well and I respect “ALL” of the programs in the SEC but the comments that many of you are making strictly about the University of Kentucky aren’t fair. We do have “some” idiot fans but so do you all in “Football”. You can’t even argue this point…we both just have to accept that. Well, good luck to all the schools from this UK fan.

Yeah C'mon

April 13th, 2010
6:35 am

I would to see him come to Athens but he’ll probably end up in Kentucky. And I don’t blame him.

[...] Michael Carvell of the AJC reports that UK has offered a scholarship to Georgia’s Mr. Basketba… Kentucky coach John Calipari has expressed heavy interest in Thornton, along with representatives from Texas and Florida. There is also speculation that Tennessee, Michigan, LSU and Auburn, among others, will also join the recruiting race. (Note: See Monday night’s updated list at the bottom). “We’re very surprised by all the attention,” said Thornton’s father, Billy. “People told us to anticipate it, but you don’t really know what is going to happen. It has been very overwhelming, and we feel very blessed.” [...]

World Wide Wes

April 13th, 2010
8:33 am

I wouldn’t say there isn’t evidence that he has paid players. I think you’re missing something, that those that know slash have evidence haven’t come forward. He will be caught.

Kentucky isn’t back. When they win something call me. Until then you are still another school. Hey good luck with ur coach. I know I wouldn’t want him. Again don’t want to by UK, it’s just you guys haven’t done anything yet. U paid a coach about five million a year to get u to an elite eight to only be embarrassed. I know I wouldn’t want that. Look at Butler. They paid their coach less than ten percent of your coach and was one basket away from winning it all. That is the school or coach I would want right now. Keep living in ur fantasy world.

truth

April 13th, 2010
8:37 am

If Memphis offers, he should go. He’ll get great coaching and a chance to play in a city that’s basketball crazy – not SEC football country.

Smart UGA fan

April 13th, 2010
8:55 am

The kentucky fan who put the link up needs find better proof. All those numbers are based off one year of play. Kentucky basketball is known for its tradition, not because what the team did last year. If your going to do research, at least get some good sources.

Jason

April 13th, 2010
9:18 am

Cal want’s this kid for depth, plus he’ll be a kid that will be there for 4 years and a solid contributor by his Jr./Sr. year. You can’t have all one and dones, last year was a fluke, they never expected Bledsoe and Orton to get 1st round looks. Actually, going into last year they figured Cousins was at least a two year player.

UK is looking at possibly getting Knight, Leslie, Lamb, Jones, Kanter, and Poole. That class alone will make this the #1 class in the country, players like Thornton and maybe Terrence Ross are just fillers, UK only has 4 returning players. Don’t look for Thornton to get minutes (if he came to UK) over Jones, Leslie, or even Miller.

[...] Michael Carvell of the AJC reports that UK has offered a scholarship to Georgia’s Mr. Basketba… Kentucky coach John Calipari has expressed heavy interest in Thornton, along with representatives from Texas and Florida. There is also speculation that Tennessee, Michigan, LSU and Auburn, among others, will also join the recruiting race. (Note: See Monday night’s updated list at the bottom). “We’re very surprised by all the attention,” said Thornton’s father, Billy. “People told us to anticipate it, but you don’t really know what is going to happen. It has been very overwhelming, and we feel very blessed.” [...]

DeadBulldawgBBQ

April 13th, 2010
9:49 am

I wish one of you inbred JAWJA fans would answer whether you put the flea bitten carcass of that fat bloated dead mascot of yours on the grill at the next home game? Did you cut its head off, put it on a stick and then have your paid off players run in the stadium holding it? lol

collegeballfan

April 13th, 2010
9:52 am

I believe he will still end up at Clemson. Clemson will hire a first class coach. If not Clemson, he will end up at GT.

LSUtiger

April 13th, 2010
9:59 am

LOL at the UGA fan talking about Dooley. Yeah since he is the son of Vince Dooley- the biggest CHEATER ever in SEC football. That stupid old moron paid his players loads of cash while he was at Georgia. UGA fans need to understand one thing- your football program is a total joke now. LSU, Florida, and Alabama rule the SEC in football and Georgia is nothing but mediocre program like South Carolina, Arkansas or Ole Miss which will never win another SEC title or national title. And basketball? UK is the flagship program in the SEC. You dirt road wannabes should stick to women’s gymnastics or something.

Jake Fury

April 13th, 2010
10:05 am

@ douchey Kentucky fans:

Calipari can’t coach. He’s always won with superior talent, not his coaching acumen. There’s a reason that Butler and Duke played in the NC game instead of UK. It’s because those teams are well coached…neither had as much talent as Kentucky, yet Kentucky couldn’t get past WVU…a team which Duke DESTROYED.

Calipari doesn’t know how to run a zone defense, and doesn’t know how to play against one. He’s very limited in what he can do with mid-level talent. I watched it for 9 years…he refuses to make adjustments.

9 point lead, 2 minutes to go…

0-20 on 3 point attempts and he lets his guys shoot 12 more.

He gets out-coached every time on the floor…and sometimes his talent can’t overcome it.

He’s a bad coach.

Jake Fury

April 13th, 2010
10:10 am

I admit I am an inbred moron who uses the prison computer to post here. Let it be known that Coach Cal is a great coach and my mommy is my best friend.

memphis

April 13th, 2010
10:14 am

Now that we lost Cal, our craphole school is going back to its irrelevant self known more for its thug crime ridden streets. We play in the CUSA- one step up from division 2 basketball. We hired a complete retard to coach our team and he could not even advance in the NIT. Yes the NIT- we love the NIT and plan on being in it for years to come. And do not ask about our football- we are totally lame.

LOL

April 13th, 2010
10:24 am

Jake Fury- another bitter Memphis fan. It is hilarious. I think you should spend your time mapping your route to your job in Memphis since the drug dealing thugs make the streets like Baghdad. I have never seen a bigger area of crime ridden filth than that pathetic excuse of a “city”.

cdog

April 13th, 2010
10:35 am

WITH THE ALREADY SIGNED AND COMMITMENTS COMING IN AT GEORGIA, MARCUS THORNTON SHOULD SIGN WITH THE BULLDOGS.GEORGIA SHOULD TAKE OFF AND BE ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE NATION ESPECIALLY WITH THORNTON AND THE POLEE KID OUT OF CALIFORNIA ABOARD.PLUS DONTE WILLIAMS. GO BULLDOGS!

JaxDawg

April 13th, 2010
10:40 am

Isn’t Mark Fox 1-0 against Ga Tech? I mean with all that talent that comes there, including two high profile guys heading to the pros, one would think Ga Tech dominated a weak basketball program like UGA. But it does not look that way… Hmm. I hope MT comes to UGA. Mark Fox is building a program.

HugoStiglitz

April 13th, 2010
11:03 am

I would imagine this is going to come down to GT and Kentucky. Both offer alot for a young basketball player, and three of the first 5 picks in the next NBA draft will be GT/Kentucky players. We will see who can recruit him better, Hewitt or Calipari.

LOL@Thornton

April 13th, 2010
11:06 am

UK rock star-
“If Thornton comes to UK, he will be a rock star. He will be on National TV every game. UK’s midnight madness was crazy, and 5 star guys want to be invited to the party. GO BIG BLUE!!!”..

well if thats the case than i guess thornton wouldnt be invited, seeing that he is a 3 star recruit, and probably the most overhyped and overrated played from this state in quite sometime…this kid is not that talented and wont be having these program changing impacts that alot of you are wishing for on here…and this has nothing to with his GPA, sat scores, his personality or any of that, this is simply about his play on the court, and when it comes down to that, hes just above average player with inflated stats…hes a 3 star at scout and rivals for a reason people

[...] AJC’s Mr. Basketball gets offers from Kentucky, Florida, Texas, Auburn, Michigan, Georgia Tech… [...]

World Wide Wes

April 13th, 2010
11:22 am

I wouldn’t brag about UK football. How many years in a row have they lost to UT? Didn’t UT dangle that carrot in front of Kensucky last year and then snatch it back in overtime? LOL. One of the best games I attended last year.

Last thing – UK fans better hope Memphis is good because if they aren’t that is where you will start to find some things in Cal’s closet. Good luck. U guys are going to need it.

T.J.

April 13th, 2010
11:28 am

LOL@Thornton-

“well if thats the case than i guess thornton wouldnt be invited, seeing that he is a 3 star recruit, and probably the most overhyped and overrated played from this state in quite sometime…this kid is not that talented and wont be having these program changing impacts that alot of you are wishing for on here…and this has nothing to with his GPA, sat scores, his personality or any of that, this is simply about his play on the court, and when it comes down to that, hes just above average player with inflated stats…hes a 3 star at scout and rivals for a reason people”

Well since you say he’s overrated, I guess all these D-1 schools should pull their offers. Since someone named “LOL@Thornton” on the comments section of a Georgia website said he’s overrated. I mean, these D-1 schools that are interested in him have no idea what they are talking about. Man I hope they are reading this. They need to listen to you before they make a HUGE mistake because they don’t know nearly as much as you. I never looked at it from your point of view. Why arent you an NBA scout? You have some serious skills. I mean, calling a player overrated without any stats to back it up really takes a keene eye. Spot on..spot on.

bruce mac

April 13th, 2010
11:32 am

Yech fans spend all winter trying to get Hewitt fired and then try to sell the program to unsuspecting Mr. Thornton. I suspect he and his Dad are a little smarter than that. Go Dawgs, the Fox train commeth.

LOL@Thornton

April 13th, 2010
11:53 am

TJ- and proclaiming him the best player in GA simply based on high school stats should be viewed just as stupid by your logic…spot on spot on…3 star for a reason my friend, and im pretty sure the people at scout and rivals have a pretty solid idea what they are talking about since they look at nothing but high school players, cause its their JOB…they seem to do a pretty good job on evaluating players, and they evaluate thornton where he should be

Michael Carvell

April 13th, 2010
12:07 pm

LOL@Thornton: Thornton was one of the top 2-3 players in Georgia as a senior, if not THE BEST. No disrespect for Rivals and Scout, but they hit on players AND miss on players. Ultimately, all that matters is his offer list, and that speaks for itself right now.

Gemini

April 13th, 2010
12:43 pm

Got to love these fake Memphis fans LOL

Anyway Memphis would be a great spot for Thornton to land. Pastner is a high character coach who connects with the kids. Throw in the resources along with other GA players there (Jelan Kendrick and Wesley Witherspoon) and it is a good way to get away from home without being far away. Not to mention Memphis is a basketball first school, unlike many of the other schools who are recruting him now

richard girth

April 13th, 2010
1:23 pm

Come to Kentucky! I don’t think they even play basketball at UGA and Tech.

LOL@Thornton

April 13th, 2010
1:41 pm

agreed Carvell, they do miss on guys, but people on this forum talk of thornton in the same air as cousins or wall or aminu, and hes simply not near any of them in talent…the list has some great porgrams on them no doubt, but thornton will be nothing more than a body down low that is good for 5 fouls, some rebounds, and a block here or there, and last i checked those types were a dime a dozen in big time conferences..and for IMO Ryan Harrow is a better player than thornton and the best player Georgia had this year, not even close

Clempsun

April 13th, 2010
2:31 pm

Purnell leaving clemson was a big hit not just because a newly legitimate program lost its builder, but the player who was potentially clemson’s only legitimate recruit is now gone, too. with schools like tennessee, florida, and kentucky in the mix, there is NO WAY thornton is going to clemson, especially since purnell was the kid’s primary motivator for committing. clemson, now with a no-name coach and ZERO

Jake Fury

April 13th, 2010
3:12 pm

@ Fake Jake Fury and other Memphis Haters…

That “retard” head coach at Memphis just pulled in the #1 recruiting class as his 1st…something Calipari was never able to do in M-town.

That trip to the NIT couldn’t have had anything to do with Calipari’s attempt to napalm the program or anything.

The funniest part about Kentucky is that they needed a C-USA Coach with TWO VACATED FINAL FOURS to regain national relevance.

Btw, I’m an Atlantan…

girlzgotgame

April 13th, 2010
3:29 pm

Kentucky, Kentucky Kentucky! GA schools are mediocre to say the least. To the one that said “who cares?” –Obviously you do, you took the time to comment!

Good luck, Marcus there are some of us who do CARE and wish you and your family the very best!!

Dale Rimer

April 13th, 2010
3:33 pm

Hahaha…all the Kentucky/Calipari defenders sound JUST like Memphis fans during the Calipari era.

“The NCAA never found anything”…”Marcus Camby took money and Cal didn’t know”…

You people are a joke.

Michael Carvell

April 13th, 2010
3:34 pm

LOL@Thornton:Yes, I think you could make a good case for Ryan Harrow as Georgia’s best player. But I respectfully disagree with you on Thornton. As much as I could disagree with anyone on anything. Things finally began to come together for him as a senior, and I think he has a world of potential — and POTENTIAL not PRODUCTION is all the college coaches care about with a PROSPECT (but Marcus produced, too). He could really be something special. But you don’t need to take my word or your word for it. Again, the list of offers speaks for itself.

Clempsun: I would’ve thought the Clemson job would’ve attracted much bigger names.

TIM

April 13th, 2010
3:35 pm

Memphis bound.

gabe

April 13th, 2010
3:38 pm

Marcos I can tell you know nothing about basketball, but thanks for playing

memphisluvsthugs

April 13th, 2010
3:51 pm

Memphis is a total crime infested ghetto dump. Memphis State is a 3rd rate ghetto commuter school for the mentally challenged. Pastner? What a complete inbred moron who will deliver NIT after NIT to you thug loving drug dealing idiots down in the crime capital of the US. You ghetto wannabes are a national joke and an afterthought. Cal was smart in leaving the Baghdad of the US. So you memphis thugs sit back and bask in the glory of memphis state’s NIT program as you pull your prison time. LOL

Jake Fury

April 13th, 2010
3:57 pm

When I get out of jail and after I get my behind stitched up, I will leave my thug drug dealing city of Memphis behind me. I will follow a true storied basktball program like Kentucky unlike that ghetto commuter school memphis state. I understand now why Cal left- memphis is a crime infested boil on the rear end of the US. And memphis state is a joke of a junior college where drug dealing is a major.

Dale Rimer

April 13th, 2010
4:00 pm

Excuse me- I did not take my meds earlier so I posted something stupid and ignorant. When I am not going on dates with my daddy, I try to keep my knee pads clean but it is tough.

Seabass

April 13th, 2010
4:04 pm

Uh Dale, did you know that Coach Cal was the one who turned in Camby? I know that does not fit with your factless, moronic statements, but I guess that is what one should expect from an idiot with the IQ of a tree.

Jake Fury

April 13th, 2010
4:05 pm

For being part of such rich tradition and history, UK fans sure go out of their way to bash a “3rd rate ghetto commuter school.”

By the way, Memphis is 1-0 against Kentucky.

Jake Fury

April 13th, 2010
4:08 pm

We love us some Elvis- a fat, bloated drug addicted baffoon who died on a toilet at Graceland. Memphis thugs are proud.

UK4EVER

April 13th, 2010
4:16 pm

WHY WOULD ANY KID REFUSE THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY? THE RICH BASKETBALL TRADITION THAT OOZES FROM THE GROUND IS ALMOST AS GOOD AS THE METH THAT’S COOKED UP IN OUR TRAILER PARKS! MOST OF OUR CHAMPIONSHIPS CAME IN THE 1950s, WHEN BLACKS WEREN’T ALLOWED TO PLAY…THATS WHEN BBALL WAS REAL…

LONG LIVE ADOLPH RUPP!

UK fan

April 13th, 2010
4:24 pm

^^^^^ Hmmm. Nice try. UK has 2 ncaa titles in the 90’s. Ironically, that is more than Memphis, UGA and Ga Tech combined in their pathetic histories. Nice try though.

Dukie

April 13th, 2010
4:27 pm

Memphis has 3 final 4s and two have been vacated. LOL When you want to cheat or deal drugs, head to Memphis.

Wildcat Fan

April 13th, 2010
4:29 pm

Hate on Calipari, hate on Kentucky, hate hate hate as you wish. Do not be mad because of John Calipari’s ability to coach and recruit. Do not be mad because Kentucky is back on its rightful throne. Hate, anger, and malicious comments come from envy and the inability to have what Kentucky has. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Cats are back.

UK4EVER

April 13th, 2010
4:53 pm

YEAH…COACH CALIPARI DOESN’T HAVE TO CHEAT NOW THAT HE’S AT THE MIGHTY UK! IT DOESN’T MATTER THAT HE HAS VACATED FINAL FOURS AT TWO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS BECAUSE NOW HE’S AT KENTUCKY. YOUR RIGHT WE’RE BACK ON OUR RIGHTFUL THRONE!

KIDS DIDN’T WANT TO PLAY FOR MEMPHIS, THEY WANTED TO PLAY FOR CALIPARI! NOW THAT CALIPARI’S AT KENTUCKY…THEY WANT TO BE PART OF KENTUCKY’S TRADITION!

THERE’S NOT FLAWS IN MY LOGIC, WHATSOEVER.

LONG LIVE CALITUCKY!