TCU’s Eddie Lampkin an example of what can go wrong with NIL, and a big head
Eddie Lampkin, or someone in Eddie Lampkin’s family, failed to realize that Eddie Lampkin was barely a decent college basketball player.
He could have been a pro, but not an NBA pro. He was an overseas pro, and that was if he could navigate that world.
Someone in Lampkin’s support group failed to be real with the TCU center, specifically that 6.3 points and 5.9 rebounds from a 6-foot-11 center aren’t worth much.
Certainly not migraines.
Lampkin is currently still listed on the team’s roster, but his career with the school is over.
Once he went public with a handful of potentially embarrassing screenshots of apparent text messages between his mother and TCU coach Jamie Dixon, it ended his time with TCU.
Unfounded allegations of racist language against anyone is a great way to terminate a relationship.
Without Lamkpin, TCU defeated Kansas State, 80-67, on Thursday night in the Big 12 tournament. TCU will play Texas in the semifinals on Friday night.
Eddie Lampkin will be used as an example of what can go wrong with NIL, and he is vulnerable to becoming just another example of wasted talent.
Lampkin could have been one of those college players who would be welcome at his alma mater forever, instead he will leave in disgrace, and disappointment.
The team was tired of him. The athletic department had had it with him.
Although he had NIL money exceeding six figures, according to sources his priority was more NIL deals. And he was not happy about playing time.
It was hard to justify that much more playing time for a player who stopped working, and acted as if he was better than his production.
He is talented. He isn’t talented enough to be lazy.
He came to TCU in 2020 as a four-star recruit from Houston who was too heavy to play major college basketball. He had to be able to run.
He went to work, and dropped 70 pounds. After the weight loss, he started to show major big man potential.
He has soft hands. Good feet. Is energetic on defense. For a man his size he could change ends reasonably well.
It offset his limited offensive skill set. When he was right, he could score garbage baskets, protect the rim, and rebound the ball.
In TCU’s second round NCAA tournament game last season against No. 1 seed Arizona, Lampkin scored 20 points with 14 rebounds. TCU lost, but Lampkin won.
TCU v Arizona quickly became the marquee prime time NCAA tourney game of the night, and Lampkin’s performance, and theatrics, made him a name.
He signed NIL deals. He has a fun personality, and his interactions with fans are sincere. He is wonderful with kids.
He just got the big head.
He acted like a guy who believed that the Arizona game was enough.
Along with the return of junior guard Mike Miles, Lampkin was a big reason why this was the most anticipated season in TCU history.
Instead, Lampkin added nothing to his game. No post moves. No mid-range shot. No ball handling.
If you are going to be a big, and be a rebounder, a garbage-point-player, you must be exceptional at it. He was average.
He did suffer an ankle sprain midway through the Big 12 schedule, and that did affect his performance. To his credit, he tried to play on it but he wasn’t effective.
He also wasn’t playing all that well before he suffered the ankle injury.
According to people familiar with the situation, he was irritated about his minutes. He averages a tick more than 21 minutes per game. His production was hard to justify many more seconds than that.
There was “stuff” off the court the team grew tired of; it was drama without the points and rebounds. Teammates will put up with noise for production.
Since he has come to TCU, Dixon has had touted players that, for a variety of reasons, didn’t work out. When it was time to be done, it was over long before senior night.
Players such as guard Jaylen Fisher. Center Kevin Samuel. Guard Kendric Davis.
Now it’s Eddie Lampkin.
Eddie is only 21. Although college players like him are getting paid, he is still a young person. He’s not a criminal. No one wants to see it end like this.
He’s also not a pro now, nor will he be unless either he, or someone in his support group, understands 6 points and 6 rebounds a game aren’t worth much.
This story was originally published March 10, 2023 at 8:18 AM.
