Earlier this week we passed the deadline for underclassmen to withdrawal from the NBA Draft. Underclassmen still have until April 28th to declare for the Draft, however, I'm taking the time now to express how I feel about some of the notable names leaving school early this summer.
Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, Junior
As a Duke fan I know this kid is good. Not exactly a bad idea to skip forego his senior season considering I don't see UNC in title contention next season but I believe his draft stock would be better if he waited. Late 1st Round Pick.
Trey Burke, Michigan, Sophomore
Burke won every player of the year award possible and led his team to the National Title game, of course he has the right to come out this season. However, I think it'd be really interesting to see that Michigan team together for at least 2 more seasons. Top 10 Pick.
Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse, Sophomore
Great kid, very talented. Should stay at least one more season and possibly lead the Orange back to the Final Four.....unless he doesn't feel he'll be able to succeed next season as Syracuse enters the ACC. Late 1st Round Pick
Gorgui Dieng, Louisville, Junior
The Cards don't win a National Championship without Dieng. Dominant defensive force, nice mid-range game. I'm okay with him leaving now. Lottery Pick.
Tim Hardaway Jr, Michigan, Junior
Not too sure about this one. I don't think he's ready for the NBA and I feel he caved into pressure from Burke and his dad to come out now. Again I would've liked to see that Michigan squad together again. Mid-Late 1st Round Pick.
Alex Len, Maryland, Sophomore
Okay let me take a deep breath before I express how dumb, stupid, unintelligent, not smart, and dumb Leb is for leaving Maryland anywhere before graduating. I could tolerate if he left after next year to avoid playing in the Big10 but he has no business in this draft. Not skilled enough, not quick enough, clearly not smart enough. And the sad part about this is that he's easily the best big man in the ACC this season if he stays. 2nd Round Pick (if he's lucky)
C.J. Leslie, NC State, Junior
Leslie raised a couple eyebrows when he decided to stay at NC State last year as he would've been a high draft prospect. However, the Wolfpack were the preseason #1 pick in the ACC. NC State didn't perform up to expectations and Leslie's draft stock dropped. He needed to leave now. Late 1st round pick.
Ben McLemore, Kansas, Freshman
Great talent, but not exactly consistent enough on the big stage for the NBA yet. You all know my feelings on freshman leaving school after one year but he will be a high pick regardless because of his talent. Lottery Pick.
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, Freshman
Speaking of freshman leaving......if you think I disagreed with Len coming out early, you haven't seen anything yet. This kid tore his ACL in February and declared for the draft in April. It takes at least 8 months for an ACL to fully heal so when he gets drafted in June, he still won't be able to participate in basketball drill barring some miraculous recovery. I'm not sure who told him it was a good idea to declare but they lied to him. If I'm a Kentucky fan, I'm disgusted with Noel for the simple fact that he tweeted the day after his injury "minor setback for a major comeback". If I'm a fan of the Cats, that tweet made me look forward to next season. Now from a basketball standpoint. Tall and athletic, great shotblocker. Rare to find his size and athletism now which is why he'll probably go #1 despite not playing a second of basketball since tearing his ACL. Top 5 Pick.
Victor Oladipo, Indiana, Junior
Oladipo was my player of the year before I actually watched Trey Burke play. This guy is talented and a leader. Knows how to get to the basket and can shoot it from outside. Can play the 1 or 2 with the right coaching in the NBA. Top 10 Pick.
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, Freshman
This guy Shabazz. I'm not gonna call him a kid because he looks damn near 30. His dad says he's one age, while he claims another age. He didnt show up in big games when he needed to and personally I feel he used the NCAA this season. He never truly showed dedication or passion for the Bruins. If you could come to the league straight out of high school, he would have. I expect UCLA to have sanctions in the future from Muhammad lying about his age one way or another. The shame is that this is a fairly weak draft class and he will go early. Lottery Pick.
Otto Porter, Georgetown, Sophomore
Emerged into the national scene late in the season, probably too late in the season despite earning the Big East player of the year award. Don't exactly know if he's NBA ready or not, and as a leader of Georgetown I feel he needs to comeback and redeem the Hoyas from that embarrassing end to the season. At the same time, I understand not wanting to participate in the conference realignment. Late 1st Round Pick.
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, Junior
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No Deshaun Thomas should not be entering the draft early. Ohio State doesn't exactly have a good record of sending kids into the league early. Please google Greg Oden and Jared Sullinger if you disagree. The kid is good but I feel he will benefit so much more if he tried to lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship during his senior year. Late 1st Round Pick.
Cody Zeller, Indiana, Sophomore
Zeller began the season as the unanimous preseason player of the year, and ended the season without a single vote for POY. Part of that was due to the emergence of players like Burke and Olandipo, but alot of it has to do with Zeller not performing up to the expected potential. I have always felt he was overrated and maybe I'm right but we'll see what the NBA scouts think come June. Mid-Late 1st Round Pick.
Tomorrow I will be posting my 2013 NBA Playoff Predictions and I have a few surprises in store.
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Reggie Bullock, North Carolina, Junior
As a Duke fan I know this kid is good. Not exactly a bad idea to skip forego his senior season considering I don't see UNC in title contention next season but I believe his draft stock would be better if he waited. Late 1st Round Pick.
Trey Burke, Michigan, Sophomore
Burke won every player of the year award possible and led his team to the National Title game, of course he has the right to come out this season. However, I think it'd be really interesting to see that Michigan team together for at least 2 more seasons. Top 10 Pick.
Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse, Sophomore
Great kid, very talented. Should stay at least one more season and possibly lead the Orange back to the Final Four.....unless he doesn't feel he'll be able to succeed next season as Syracuse enters the ACC. Late 1st Round Pick
Gorgui Dieng, Louisville, Junior
The Cards don't win a National Championship without Dieng. Dominant defensive force, nice mid-range game. I'm okay with him leaving now. Lottery Pick.
Tim Hardaway Jr, Michigan, Junior
Not too sure about this one. I don't think he's ready for the NBA and I feel he caved into pressure from Burke and his dad to come out now. Again I would've liked to see that Michigan squad together again. Mid-Late 1st Round Pick.
Alex Len, Maryland, Sophomore
Okay let me take a deep breath before I express how dumb, stupid, unintelligent, not smart, and dumb Leb is for leaving Maryland anywhere before graduating. I could tolerate if he left after next year to avoid playing in the Big10 but he has no business in this draft. Not skilled enough, not quick enough, clearly not smart enough. And the sad part about this is that he's easily the best big man in the ACC this season if he stays. 2nd Round Pick (if he's lucky)
C.J. Leslie, NC State, Junior
Leslie raised a couple eyebrows when he decided to stay at NC State last year as he would've been a high draft prospect. However, the Wolfpack were the preseason #1 pick in the ACC. NC State didn't perform up to expectations and Leslie's draft stock dropped. He needed to leave now. Late 1st round pick.
Ben McLemore, Kansas, Freshman
Great talent, but not exactly consistent enough on the big stage for the NBA yet. You all know my feelings on freshman leaving school after one year but he will be a high pick regardless because of his talent. Lottery Pick.
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, Freshman
Speaking of freshman leaving......if you think I disagreed with Len coming out early, you haven't seen anything yet. This kid tore his ACL in February and declared for the draft in April. It takes at least 8 months for an ACL to fully heal so when he gets drafted in June, he still won't be able to participate in basketball drill barring some miraculous recovery. I'm not sure who told him it was a good idea to declare but they lied to him. If I'm a Kentucky fan, I'm disgusted with Noel for the simple fact that he tweeted the day after his injury "minor setback for a major comeback". If I'm a fan of the Cats, that tweet made me look forward to next season. Now from a basketball standpoint. Tall and athletic, great shotblocker. Rare to find his size and athletism now which is why he'll probably go #1 despite not playing a second of basketball since tearing his ACL. Top 5 Pick.
Victor Oladipo, Indiana, Junior
Oladipo was my player of the year before I actually watched Trey Burke play. This guy is talented and a leader. Knows how to get to the basket and can shoot it from outside. Can play the 1 or 2 with the right coaching in the NBA. Top 10 Pick.
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, Freshman
This guy Shabazz. I'm not gonna call him a kid because he looks damn near 30. His dad says he's one age, while he claims another age. He didnt show up in big games when he needed to and personally I feel he used the NCAA this season. He never truly showed dedication or passion for the Bruins. If you could come to the league straight out of high school, he would have. I expect UCLA to have sanctions in the future from Muhammad lying about his age one way or another. The shame is that this is a fairly weak draft class and he will go early. Lottery Pick.
Otto Porter, Georgetown, Sophomore
Emerged into the national scene late in the season, probably too late in the season despite earning the Big East player of the year award. Don't exactly know if he's NBA ready or not, and as a leader of Georgetown I feel he needs to comeback and redeem the Hoyas from that embarrassing end to the season. At the same time, I understand not wanting to participate in the conference realignment. Late 1st Round Pick.
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State, Junior
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No Deshaun Thomas should not be entering the draft early. Ohio State doesn't exactly have a good record of sending kids into the league early. Please google Greg Oden and Jared Sullinger if you disagree. The kid is good but I feel he will benefit so much more if he tried to lead the Buckeyes to a National Championship during his senior year. Late 1st Round Pick.
Cody Zeller, Indiana, Sophomore
Zeller began the season as the unanimous preseason player of the year, and ended the season without a single vote for POY. Part of that was due to the emergence of players like Burke and Olandipo, but alot of it has to do with Zeller not performing up to the expected potential. I have always felt he was overrated and maybe I'm right but we'll see what the NBA scouts think come June. Mid-Late 1st Round Pick.
Tomorrow I will be posting my 2013 NBA Playoff Predictions and I have a few surprises in store.
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