Mid-major programs increasingly act as development platforms for players who later transfer to high-major schools. Tulane coach Ron Hunter has developed multiple players who moved to elite programs, including former Duke star Sion James and Kentucky transfer Kam Williams. An SEC coach complimented Hunter for preparing players for the next level, leaving Hunter unsure whether to be proud or resentful. Three of last season's AP All-Americans — Mark Sears (Alabama), Johni Broome (Auburn) and Walter Clayton Jr. (Florida) — began at mid-major schools. Sixty percent of first- and second-team high-major All-Americans started at the mid-major level. Some mid-major coaches try to leverage the pipeline to recruit top talent, while others resist that identity.
Posted up against a wall of the air-conditioned gym at Peach Jam in mid-July, Tulane coach Ron Hunter prepared to greet an approaching SEC colleague, expecting a handshake and pleasantries. But his powerhouse peer had other intentions for the interaction with Hunter, who has developed multiple players who have transferred to elite programs -- including former Duke star Sion James -- in recent years. "He came over to me and he said, 'Ron, you're doing a hell of a job ... getting kids ready for our level,'" Hunter told ESPN at the basketball camp in North Augusta, South Carolina. "And I didn't know whether to be mad or to say thank you."
Hunter's reaction captures the conundrum facing mid-major coaches as their programs seemingly evolve into high-major launchpads. At Tulane, James and Kentucky transfer Kam Williams launched their college careers before moving onto bigger brands; they are just two examples of a trend that is reflected among college basketball's biggest stars. Three of last season's AP All-Americans -- Mark Sears ( Alabama), Johni Broome ( Auburn) and Walter Clayton Jr. ( Florida) -- were mid-major transfers, with 60% of the first- and second-team selections from high-major schools having started at the mid-major level.
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