Beckham graduated from Ballard High School in Louisville, KY in the 2006-2007 season. He was a three year starter for the Bruins. He then went onto prep school for the 07-08 season, for New Hampton, where he led the Huskies in assist.
He was ranked as a 2 star by Rivals and Scout and was offered a scholarship to play at Miss. St. His freshman season he was one of the first players to come off the bench but did very little to stuff his stat sheet, very much a role player.
Last season he redshirted his sophomore season to have two surgeries, to remove bone spurs in both hips. Bone spurs occur when the cartilage of your joints wear off and you have bone rubbing against bone. Your body tries to fix this by growing new bone called bone spurs. These additional bones can cause your joints to not move your bones easily like they should.
Beckham transferred from Miss. St after the first semester of this year. If he comes to UK, he will have to sit out for a year from the point of transfer, which means this time next year would be his first chance to play in games.
He would be listed as Junior next season, even though after his senior season he could apply for a medical redshirt and be given a fifth year. So he would have 2 1/2 years of eligibility left if he chooses to apply for a fifth year.
What is funny about Beckham's situation, is the quote he gave MSU media on why he is transferring and what MSU coach Rick Stansbury had to say about the departure.
Beckham on why he is leaving, "Looking at next year we’re going to have four point guards and it’ll be tough for me to get time."
Stansbury's quote, "Just basically lack of playing time guys and y’all can look at our roster and see that pretty easily. Twany’s a good kid and a good student. It’s very easy to look out there and question where your minutes come from. I can’t fault him for his decision. You look at Twany’s minutes knowing that Dee is coming back, it’s going to be difficult for him to play the amount he wants to and I can’t fault him for that. He just wants the opportunity to be a starter."
So both sides are stating it was because of lack of minutes next season...then he transfers to a more talented UK where he will have to sit out a year and receive no minutes, loses his full ride (unless there are extra open) and then when he does come back will receive scrub minutes...
I guess if you are going to ride the bench, it might as well be at a program like Kentucky...
Beckham attended UK's practice today and some reports have come out he is definitely coming to UK but it looks like that is premature at this point. Nothing seems to be finalized yet.
Cal is not a big fan of walk ons but he clearly sees Beckham as someone who could develop and provide a body out there for depth, to allow full court press to be more of an option. He is also seeing Beckham as a lock down defender, a glue guy, who will hopefully provide Liggins like defense.
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