Leaving early for the pros

This is a topic that we as SJU fans have not had to deal with much especially recently. I guess you could say that was the one good thing about the Norm Roberts tenure. Let us look at the early entrees over the years from SJU and if the decision was a good one.

Walter Berry-this decision crushed a teenaged WASJU. As for the team, if Berry had returned the team would have been a preseason top 5 pick. Anything could happen but a Final Four would certainly have been attainable. Berry's draft status coming off another all american season possible Wooden award and Final Four would probably have moved him up from 14. Ultimately Berry's game just was not suited for the NBA becuase of size, defense, and lack of a jumpshot. In short Berry might have moved up in the draft but as far as his NBA career I do not think it would have turned out that differently.

Ron Artest- If Ron Ron had come back again we would have been a preseason top 5 pick and a FINAL FOUR was a def possibility. As for Ron, he probably would have gone a little higher in the draft, but I think other than being crazy Ron has gotten as much ot of his career as he could have. Of course if he had stayed another year he is probably not a Pacer and does not attack random fans in Detroit, so he might have made a little more money based on that. But who is to say this would not have happened to Meta World Peace in some other arena?

Erick Barkley- Now from what I have been told, Barkley was basically one step ahead of the NCAA posse, so he basically had to leave. If he had stayed would Omar Cook have come here anyway? If he stayed for four years you could have potentially had Barkley, Cook and Hatten on same team.

Omar Cook- Really bad decision. But would Hatten have come. Would Elijah Ingram had come? No Ingram cell phone and I do not even want to think of what the program would look like today.

Barkley cost so much.  I can't think of another pg outside of Kemba that I would take over EB. 

  Does Darius Miles count?  Would have loved to see he and Omar together, if for only one season.

Since we're on the topic of going pro...

I believe that the star player on my second favorite basketball team, and America East conference POY lock, Gerardo Suero is a bonified Nba prospect.  As many of you already know, I am not the most astute judge of basketball talent. 

What say the knowledgeable?

Since we're on the topic of going pro...

I believe that the star player on my second favorite basketball team, and America East conference POY lock, Gerardo Suero is a bonified Nba prospect.  As many of you already know, I am not the most astute judge of basketball talent. 

What say the knowledgeable?

Big Fish, small pond...4 turnovers only 2 ast per game...needa see him vs better competition

Quote from: carmineabbatiello on January 30, 2012, 12:53:10 PM

Since we're on the topic of going pro...

I believe that the star player on my second favorite basketball team, and America East conference POY lock, Gerardo Suero is a bonified Nba prospect.  As many of you already know, I am not the most astute judge of basketball talent. 

What say the knowledgeable?

Big Fish, small pond...4 turnovers only 2 ast per game...needa see him vs better competition

He's tall.  He'll be a 2.  He scores inside and out...great from the line...and isn't that interested in playing defense. He seems like a perfect Nba'er.

He also went off for 31 at the Carrier Dome.  That's pretty much top competition as far as Ncaa Bball, isn't it?

On the topic of going pro as well, Soph Doug McDermott is worth a big mention.  He is the model of efficiency on the court (24.2 ppg w/ 15 shots per game, 61.7% FG, 50% 3PT%, 83% FT, 8.4 rpg, only blemish - A/TO ratio of 0.5).  Outside of dad coaching him as why he went to Creighton, he himself didn't think he was big enough (weight and strength-wise) to play Major D1.  He is getting better and better.  He may now have a genuine shot of sticking in the NBA - prolly stay all 4 years - rated 71st by draftexpress.  What a great story.

A couple thoughts on "ready to leave".   The pro's draft on potential, not on production.  As UCLA fans, we thouught Russell Westbrook was INSANE for leaving after his soph year.  He'd been an 8 minute a game reserve as a frosh, and a 13 pt scorer as a Soph SG alongside Darren Collison.    We thought Jrue Holiday was insane for leaving after a 9pt freshman season as an SG alongside Darren Collison.

Both were starting NBA point guards before the end of their Rookie years.

We thought Luc Mbah a Moute was crazy to leave after his Jr year - an undersized PF, with limited shooting skills, coming off of a 9pt 6 reb season.    He was starting for the Bucks by his 12th game of his rookie season.  In fact, he started games at PF, SF and SG that year.

We lost both Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt to the NBA this year.  Again, they were insane - neither was a first round pick - Lee a Jr, and Honeycutt a Soph.   And yet both signed guaranteed $3mill contracts, and both are in the league as rookies.  And one other point I haven't seen mentioned here - both are a year ahead on their 2ND conotracts.

Kevin Love left after his frosh year, with a lot of folks split on whehter he'd be a servicable NBA big, or just a Journeyman.   He'd be making soph money per the NBA CBA if he'd stayed 4 years.   He will now be collecting between 40 and 45 million extra dollars he could have NEVER recouped by staying at UCLA.

"Ready" has little to do with it....

A couple thoughts on "ready to leave".   The pro's draft on potential, not on production.  As UCLA fans, we thouught Russell Westbrook was INSANE for leaving after his soph year.  He'd been an 8 minute a game reserve as a frosh, and a 13 pt scorer as a Soph SG alongside Darren Collison.    We thought Jrue Holiday was insane for leaving after a 9pt freshman season as an SG alongside Darren Collison.

Both were starting NBA point guards before the end of their Rookie years.

We thought Luc Mbah a Moute was crazy to leave after his Jr year - an undersized PF, with limited shooting skills, coming off of a 9pt 6 reb season.    He was starting for the Bucks by his 12th game of his rookie season.  In fact, he started games at PF, SF and SG that year.

We lost both Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt to the NBA this year.  Again, they were insane - neither was a first round pick - Lee a Jr, and Honeycutt a Soph.   And yet both signed guaranteed $3mill contracts, and both are in the league as rookies.  And one other point I haven't seen mentioned here - both are a year ahead on their 2ND conotracts.

Kevin Love left after his frosh year, with a lot of folks split on whehter he'd be a servicable NBA big, or just a Journeyman.   He'd be making soph money per the NBA CBA if he'd stayed 4 years.   He will now be collecting between 40 and 45 million extra dollars he could have NEVER recouped by staying at UCLA.

"Ready" has little to do with it....

Excellent post, CR.  I appreciate your perspective as a UCLA fan, who has closely scrutinized the games of a wide spectrum of CBB players making the jump to the NBA.   

Personally, I am glad to see you posting during your recovery efforts.  It's a good distraction.  Stay strong.