Ever since Malik Monk verbally committed and signed his national letter of intent to play basketball at Kentucky to end the NCAA’s early signing period, many people have made their disappointment in the Bentonville senior known in numerous ways.
Monk heard the boos when he was introduced before Bentonville’s benefit game last week in Conway, his first appearance since making his collegiate intentions known. Those in attendance, obviously feeling spurned when Monk chose Kentucky over Arkansas, also called the Hogs when Monk stepped to the free-throw line.
Others took to social media route to release their anger. That included former Arkansas basketball standout Bobby Portis, who posted “I didn’t need Kentucky to make it to the NBA but thats none of my business” on Twitter.
The Wildcat faithful and some on the national scene believe Monk was being treated unfairly because he has felt the wrath of some Arkansas fans who wanted him to stay in his home state just like his older brother, Marcus, and cousin, Ky Madden, did. A lengthy sportscaster’s rant on a local radio station definitely helped out the Wildcats fans’ beliefs.
Yes, a high school player has the right to choose where he wants to play college basketball, and Monk is no exception. But don’t basketball fans also have a right — the right to voice their displeasure in a country where freedom of speech is included in the First Amendment?
I say yes, but only to a certain extent.
It’s one thing for a player to hear a chorus of boos when he’s on the court. It’s something Monk must be prepared to hear each time Bentonville plays a game outside of Tiger Arena, especially within the state’s borders. He’s now become the villain of Arkansas high school basketball this season, and villains normally aren’t cheered.
Some people, however, have clearly overstepped their boundaries. That included the classless remark made Monday afternoon by somebody who told Monk to “rot in hell” in a Twitter post that was later deleted after the person was confronted by some Bentonville posters.
Really? You want to wish that upon a 17-year-old person with an obviously bright future ahead of him because he isn’t going to play for your favorite basketball team?
Allow me to say this: I was also upset about the signing but for another reason. It wasn’t that Monk decided to play basketball at Kentucky, but how the whole ordeal was handled that day.
I’ve started my sixth year of covering Bentonville basketball, yet I was not allowed to attend and provide live coverage of the state’s biggest basketball signing since Portis signed with Arkansas. My interview time was limited to text messages I sent to Bentonville coach Jason McMahan, who forwarded them to Monk and later sent me the answers to my questions.
My feelings about it? It was disgraceful, and I voiced my displeasure with McMahan and Bentonville athletic director Scott Passmore, with the intent my message reached the right people. Those events, however, fail to compare to the heinous acts some people have done to a teenager in 140 characters or less.
If you attend a Bentonville basketball game this season and feel the need to boo Monk or show support to the Razorbacks, feel free to do so. You have the right to do it, and I hope you paid for admission to do such a thing.
But by all means, stay classy and stick to either boos or Hog calls. There’s no need to point him in another direction other than the Bluegrass State once this season is completed.
Henry Apple can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAHenry.