<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Kentucky guard Rajon Rondo has called a news conference for today to announce he will enter this year's NBA Draft, UK Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday. Rondo and Smith will make a joint announcement at Memorial Coliseum. Before the announcement, Smith planned to meet with Rondo to advise him not to hire an agent. "He's not got an agent yet," Smith said. By not hiring an agent, Rondo can preserve the option of returning to UK next season. Today's Rondo-Smith announcement will stand in stark contrast with Randolph Morris' decision to enter last year's draft. Morris famously used a fax to let the UK coach know of his intention. "They wanted to do it together," said Doug Bibby, who coached Rondo at Louisville Eastern High and serves as his adviser. In late February, Rondo labeled his sophomore season as "so-so." That speaks to his talent since he became the first UK player since Cotton Nash in 1962-63 to lead the Wildcats in assists and rebounds. Rondo averaged 6.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He also led the team in steals (69) while finishing second in scoring (11.2 ppg). Rondo's announcement has been expected. It has been suggested Kentucky might be better without him, much as Florida advanced to last night's NCAA Tournament championship game despite the loss of stars David Lee, Anthony Roberson and Matt Walsh. Smith shied from such a comparison. "I don't know about that," the UK coach said. "I'm not making any predictions. "We want the best players possible, and Rajon is one of the best." However, Smith noted that Kentucky will be blessed with several candidates to fill the void should Rondo leave. Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford are expected to return for their junior seasons. Freshmen Derrick Jasper and Jodie Meeks will join UK's backcourt corps. When asked how the NBA valued Rondo as a prospect, Smith said, "Who knows in this day and time?" As of yesterday, the Web site NBAdraft.net had Rondo being taken with the 15th pick of the first round. All 30 first-round picks receive a guaranteed three-year contract worth in excess of $1 million. Kentucky expects to get an appraisal of Rondo's draft position from a panel of NBA officials headed by Stu Jackson later this week, Smith said. As to why Rondo will make his announcement prior to learning the panel's appraisal, Smith said, "I think it's better to let people know you're going to test the waters."</div> Source
And so begins another off season of players jumping too early. Rondo isn't making a terrible decision by going now, but I think he still has some serious issues as a halfcourt PG at the NBA level. He's a good rebounder and a terrific defender, but I don't see him being an impact player in the league for a couple of years.
Yeah, this isn't like Azubuke and Morris, because Rondo can actually be a 1st rounder and not just be told he's a first rounder, but he could have been a lock for a lottery pick in another year.
Well, I knew this was coming. Rajon and Tubby didn't exactly get along and Rajon did not show any respect to his fellow teamates. I enjoyed watching Rajon the two years he was here, but I am not the least bit disappointed to see him go.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting UKFan33:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I knew this was coming. Rajon and Tubby didn't exactly get along and Rajon did not show any respect to his fellow teamates. I enjoyed watching Rajon the two years he was here, but I am not the least bit disappointed to see him go.</div> Wow I didnt know Rondo had problems with Tubby and hiss teammates
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ItsShowtyme24:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow I didnt know Rondo had problems with Tubby and hiss teammates</div> Yeah that was one of the main reasons Tubby benched him and didn't start him in the middle of the SEC season.
