Because tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby, today is Kentucky Day here at the blog. And our next Kentucky related item includes this fascinating (read: disturbing) news tidbit.

It seems that University of Kentucky head coach Billy Gillispie has gotten a commitment from an 8th grade basketball player. Yes, you read that right.

Let me explain how this works, so you don't think it was the kid who said "I want to come to Kentucky" and Gillispie said "Sure kid, whatever." Gillispie actually offered the kid a scholarship to play for the Wildcats beginning with the 2012-13 season after watching the kid play at a youth basketball event sponsored by LeBron James last weekend in Akron. And the kid accepted.

In case you're wondering, the kid - Michael Avery - hasn't even decided what high school he's going to attend yet. There are a number of things that could mess this up, like Avery sucks in a few years, Gillispie is no longer the coach in 2012, etc. But what it really shows is the length college basketball coaches will go to recruit players. At least Gillispie didn't offer the kid a briefcase full of cash.....yet.

And this isn't even the first time something like this has happen. Super sleazebag USC coach Tim Floyd offered an 8th grader a scholarship in 2007 and a 14-year old one as well in 2006.

Now, I'm sure you expect me to go on some sort of rant about this, and normally I would. But hey, this is the wave of the future people. And you can't stop progress, no sir.

So instead of whining about this, let's do what needs to be done. And that's as soon as your kid is born, stick a basketball into his hands. Or if you want to get really creative, maybe see if there's some way they can stick the basketball into your wife while she's still pregnant. Sure it's unorthodox, but remember, fortune favors the brave.