Pilgrim leaves the Cats

By Jerry Tipton / jtipton@herald-leader.com

Should an athletic scholarship require a 4-year commitment by the school?

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Matt Pilgrim's father took a philosophical view of the University of Kentucky not renewing his son's basketball scholarship.

College basketball is a business, James Pilgrim said Thursday. Educational opportunity is a coincidental fringe benefit.

After noting how scholarships must be renewed each year with the schools holding that discretionary power, the elder Pilgrim said, "You can't depend on getting a college education. You're like a puppet on a string. they can pull that string at any time."

UK pulled the string on Pilgrim on Wednesday, the player's father said. James Pilgrim added that Kevin Galloway got the same news as part of new UK coach John Calipari's roster renovation project.

As James Pilgrim saw it, Calipari essentially put Pilgrim, Galloway, A.J. Stewart and Donald Williams on waivers to make room for what many observers consider the nation's best recruiting class.

"Sometimes royalty (wins out) over loyalty," the player's father said.

Galloway could not be reached for comment.

Kentucky needed to trim its roster to meet the NCAA limit of 13 scholarship players. With Pilgrim and Galloway gone, UK would have 13 scholarship players if Jodie Meeks decides to return for his senior season. Meeks faces a Monday deadline to decide whether to keep his name in this year's NBA Draft.

James Pilgrim said he harbored no ill will toward UK. Kentucky was simply doing business.

"Calipari has a pro mentality," James Pilgrim said. "It's a business to him. He understands the ins and outs.

"I'm not knocking anybody for it. That's just how it is. Nobody is the bad guy."

Pilgrim, a native of Cincinnati, came to UK from Hampton University. He sat out his one season as a transfer.

Then-UK coach Billy Gillispie asked the NCAA to waive the requirement that transfers must sit out a season. That suggested that Gillispie saw Pilgrim as a player who could contribute.

But the NCAA denied the appeal.

"We're thankful he was part of Kentucky and experienced that situation," James Pilgrim said. "He would have liked to stay and play and be a great asset.

"Kentucky doesn't have a 'big' as versatile as he is. They've lost a great athlete, and they've lost a great player. But they have others to fill the void."

The elder Pilgrim was unsure whether his son would have to sit out another season as a transfer.

When asked what options his son was considering, James Pilgrim said schools in the Big 12, the Big East and Conference USA had expressed interest.

"His phone is ringing off the hook," James Pilgrim said. "He has a lot of options. He'll play basketball somewhere. My main objective is for him to get his degree."