I don't want to be making indivuidual threads for unimportant guys but this is just for new on players that declare and those that don't. Butler headed for pros, not UT <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jackie Butler, a 6-foot-11 basketball prospect, has signed with an agent and thus forfeited his collegiate eligibility, meaning he will never suit up for the University of Tennessee</div> Basketball: Top UT prospect says NBA can wait - You Have to Register <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LaMarcus Aldridge, a highly regarded 7-foot center from Seagoville, said Friday he will not pursue early entry into the NBA Draft and will play basketball at Texas next season. Aldridge, a McDonald's All-American who pulled out of Sunday's Hoops Summit all-star game because of a lower back strain, had committed to UT last year but did not sign in the early letter-of-intent period in October as he mulled an early exit to the NBA. Most projections of the June 24 draft have him as a mid-first round selection. "I'm done with it," Aldridge said of the 2004 NBA Draft. "I'm going to school." Aldridge, who averaged 28.9 points and 13.4 rebounds in leading Seagoville to the Class 4A Region II championship game, said he was influenced by his mother and by UT signees Daniel Gibson of Houston and Mike Williams of Camden, Ala., who also played in the McDonald's All-American game in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. </div>
Butler, stupid. Aldrige, smart. Butler is ranked about the 6th best center in his class. Aldridge is a better player, and is going to college. I really think everyone in this class should go to college, even Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard really isn't that good. He isn't like LeBron James where college wasn't even an option.
From a general standpoint, IMO, there are very few situations where players shouldn't go to college or the NBDL. James was an exception to the rule, but players like him don't come out of HS often. I always balk at the mentality of "grab the cash while you can". Most HS players never become relevant commodities until after thier rookie contracts expire, if ever at all. In the worse case scenario for those HSer's who come out because of "the loot", most end up out of the league within 3-4 years. Take out the mandatory 10-15% for thier agents, plus long term investments that lock up money for 10+ years and there's not a whole lot to show for a quick 3 and out NBA career. Not to mention, that how many of these players have OTHER SKILLS to survive in the real work world? A million dollars is not what it sued to be, particularly with volitile and erradict markets and agents who desert players once they are no longer a money making commodity for them. I often think that most players are not properly conselled about the possible long-term ramifications of thier short-sighted decision to enter early.
I find it hard to criticise Howard's decision. If you look at it from his perspective - he is basically guaranteed to be a top two pick, and his stock is extremely high. He has a really good, mature head on his shoulders, you know he will get a college degree in some form when the opportunity arrises, but currently there is a lot of sense in making the jump. If he was a mid first rounder then sure, go to college, but he is a top two pick and while a year at College may help him, it could also result in an injury or dropping his stock in some form. However, he is about the only HS senior who this could be said for. I can't think of another who should definately make the jump.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">you know he will get a college degree in some form when the opportunity arrises,</div> I admit to not being that well versed on Howard. However, that premise in itself speaks to his uniqueness, because most HSer's looking to jump are doing so because they have no interest in learning anyways. That sets Howard apart from the start. I also believe that Howard is a deeply religious young man. i remember a freind providing me a link to an article that in summary essence said that Howard wanted to use his fame and public standing to do gods work and spread the good word. I'm not overly religious, but that also puts him on another maturity level, IMO.
They actually had a story on Howard during the McDonalds AA game telecast. He is a devout Christian, a member of the chess and multimedia clubs in HS, and basically everyone raves about what a mature and level headed guy he is. I believe he has the maturity to make the jump, and the maturiy to succeed outside of basketball. However, I don't think there is anyone else in the HS class you could say this for, without College.
The only othe player you could make a case for is Sebastian Telfair. Some of his friends were killed in his building, and he wants to get his family out of there. Imagine if he does go to college, and someone in his family gets killed in the building. He would feel like a real jerk.
Fair enough on Telfair. There often are hardship reasons associated with the decision to make the jump. However<font color="Red"><font size="1">.....(if you guys knew me better, you'd know there's almost always a "however")</font></font> Couldn't Telfair achieve the same result of moving his family to safety by spending a season in the NBDL and learning more of the NBA game first? Yes, the money isn't the same, but if you consider the essence of why the NBDL exists (it's supposed to be a place for players to develop thier skills until they can play at an effective NBA level) it's probably the best place for him, given that he's not seemingly going to be an impact player right off.
Usually, it's the agents' fault. They're the ones who'd deal for the big bucks and usually, it's the NBA. Ive always admired players who'd go to college to get a degree first or polish their games more. Smart move by Aldridge. He's averaging that high and he knew that there's still room for improvement.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post">Fair enough on Telfair. There often are hardship reasons associated with the decision to make the jump. However<font color="Red"><font size="1">.....(if you guys knew me better, you'd know there's almost always a "however")</font></font> Couldn't Telfair achieve the same result of moving his family to safety by spending a season in the NBDL and learning more of the NBA game first? Yes, the money isn't the same, but if you consider the essence of why the NBDL exists (it's supposed to be a place for players to develop thier skills until they can play at an effective NBA level) it's probably the best place for him, given that he's not seemingly going to be an impact player right off.</div> WTF?!?!?! Are you saying that Telfair should voluntarily go to the NBDL?! That makes no sense. Who would do that? That is so dumb. If Sebastian goes pro, the team that drafts him will play him, if not start him becauase his stock is so high. He could be a great NBA PG someday.
This is huge news for me as a Huskies and Nate Robinson fan and I know alot of you got to watch some of Nate's play during the Pac-10 tournament and the NCAAs so I figured i'd post this here... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font face="Arial">Nate Robinson, Washington's leading scorer, plans to skip his final two years of college and declare for the NBA Draft, a television station reports today.</font> </div>Full Story I love Nate but I think he's making a mistake by declaring for the draft... it is already a strong guard class and I can't really see Nate going in the 1st round. Also, this leaves Washington without its star player. Any thoughts on this?
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Jacque Robinson said his son would not hire an agent, giving him the option to return to school should he not be happy with his draft position, the station reported.</div> Well he better get ready to go back in school because there's no way that he'll be drafted high in a pool such as the one next draft. He should go back in school to increase his value and try to get a more decent finish.
Harrison is expected to jump to NBA <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">BOULDER - David Harrison told University of Colorado men's basketball coach Ricardo Patton on Tuesday that he will skip his final season of eligibility and enter the NBA draft, two university sources said Wednesday. CU tentatively has scheduled a Friday morning news conference for Harrison, a 7-foot center who just completed his junior season, to make a formal announcement about his future</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shard07:</div><div class="quote_post">This is huge news for me as a Huskies and Nate Robinson fan and I know alot of you got to watch some of Nate's play during the Pac-10 tournament and the NCAAs so I figured i'd post this here... Full Story I love Nate but I think he's making a mistake by declaring for the draft... it is already a strong guard class and I can't really see Nate going in the 1st round. Also, this leaves Washington without its star player. Any thoughts on this?</div> Yea he definately is, I mean he already has the disadvantege that he's a 5'9 Guard, and now he's declaring without making a splash in his final year. He'll likely be back or go to Europe if not. Nate Robinson seeks entry into NBA draft <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nate Robinson, who created excitement in Washington's basketball program over the past two seasons, has decided to see if he's good enough to make it in the NBA. Robinson, Washington's 5-foot-9 sophomore shooting guard, will ask for early entry into the June 24 NBA draft. This doesn't mean he's definitely leaving the Huskies' program, but just testing the professional waters. </div>
No turning back for Humphries <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">University of Minnesota forward Kris Humphries will announce today that he is forgoing his final three years of college eligibility to make himself available for the June 24 NBA Draft. A news conference has been set for 10 a.m. at Williams Arena. Humphries, who became the first freshman to lead the Big Ten Conference in scoring and rebounding, moved off campus to live at home before the Big Ten Conference tournament. He is expected to sign with an agent, which would officially end his days with the Gophers. Underclassmen who declare for the draft can return to college if they retract by June 17 and don't hire an agent.</div> Gophers' Humphries heading for NBA draft <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> The collegiate basketball career of Gophers forward Kris Humphries is expected to come to an end this morning. Humphries, the first freshman in Big Ten history to lead the conference in both scoring and rebounding, has scheduled a 10 a.m. news conference to announce his plans. All signs point to the 6-9 forward making himself eligible for June's NBA draft.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Web site NBAdraft.net projects Humphries will be selected by Miami with the 18th pick</div>
Iguodala opts for NBA draft <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Andre Iguodala's jump to the NBA is a blow to the Arizona basketball team - but not a surprise. After early departures left them short-handed last season and in 2001-02, Arizona began preparing for Iguodala's expected decision after last season ended. The Wildcats recently added wing player Jesus Verdejo, and prepared to move power forward Hassan Adams to Iguodala's small forward spot.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"There are questions about his outside shot, but he's a good all-around player," Monter said. "He's a good passer, defender and he has that long, athletic body that's all the rage right now." </div>
Harrison delays his decision: CU center holds off on announcement about going pro <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">David Harrison can't seem to make up his mind, and it might be a blessing for him. A small, informal poll of NBA scouts and administrators Friday indicates the University of Colorado's 7-foot center probably made a wise decision in not committing to enter the NBA draft. All agree Harrison would be selected, but there is debate over whether CU's all-time leading shot-blocker would be taken in the first round. Players taken in the first round receive guaranteed three-year contracts paying between $3,483,100 (No. 1 overall ) and $696,300 (No. 29) in the first year. Players taken after the first round must negotiate for guarantees. </div> CU 7-footer still center of attention <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">BOULDER - David Harrison hasn't taken the leap - yet. The University of Colorado's 7-foot junior center canceled a Friday morning news conference at which he was expected to announce his intention to declare himself eligible for the NBA draft. Two university sources told the Rocky Mountain News Harrison informed CU coach Ricardo Patton on Tuesday he had decided to leave school. In a statement released by CU's athletic media-relations office, Harrison said he has "sent in the underclassmen application to the NBA, and I'm continuing to gather as much information in regard to my future. I have decided not to make any commitment at this time." </div> <font size="4">Making a pitch: Harris guards decision</font> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Devin Harris was looking good Friday in a 1980s-style blue Milwaukee Brewers jersey. In a couple of weeks, he'll announce whether he'll be wearing a 2004-style NBA jersey this fall The University of Wisconsin guard and Big Ten player of the year threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches at the Brewers' home opener. A little later in the Miller Park press box, he discussed his impending decision on whether to enter the NBA draft in June or return for his senior season with the Badgers. "Where I'm projected at in the draft is pretty much the majority (factor)," Harris said. "I'm leaning toward going, but if I'm not looked at as being high in the draft, there's no point in coming out."</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">J.R. Smith, a key North Carolina basketball recruit, is seriously considering entering the NBA draft, according to published reports. Smith, a 6-6 swingman who attends high school in Newark, N.J., told reporters Saturday night at a high-school all-star game in College Park, Md., that he is leaning toward entering the draft but has not decided.</div> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Smith said that he will talk to Coach Roy Williams of North Carolina at least one more time before deciding whether to enroll at UNC or to enter the draft. He and Williams have talked within the last 10 days. Williams said at UNC's basketball banquet last week that he thought the discussion, which included Smith's parents, went well.</div> Smith has indicated that he thinks he's ready to bypass college and join pro ranks
