If these kids played baseball or hockey they'd already be in the minors. Let them take their shot, if that's what they want. The odds of any one guy making and sticking in the NBA are real slim anyway.
To each his own.
In baseball you have a choice. You can drafted then decide to sign (you know the offer from the team) or go to school.
In basketball and football you don't have that choice
Understood, I don't think they vastly overestimate where they'll get drafted though. The Harrisons are second round picks whether they come out this year or next year.
the scouts look for potential, not necessarily production. They can be all americans next year and still be far behind Malik Newman and other more raw players.
Trey lyles averaged 8pts a game, and he'll be a top 10 pick.
I think some kids used to overestimate where they would get drafted. Omar Cook types.
But now, I think there are a lot of kids who are just done going to school, and are going to play basketball next year wherever they land. Europe and the Dleague are viable options to these kids.
Kids need to look at big picture, a free Kentucky education and degree has value. Wait to you graduate and get drafted in second round or go to Europe then. In my book if you are not going to be a first round pick, stay in school for the free education.
Disagree. Basketball players have shelf lives. Each year they stay in school is a year of salary they will never get back. If you aren't going to improve your stock in college it makes no sense to stay. You can always go back and get your degree
We will agree to disagree then
Do they really lose 100K by waiting to they are 22 years old?
Should Harrison have left after soph year just so he could jumpstart his European or Overseas career?
Well, this is the point where being an NBA fan kicks in. As a Knicks fan, you have to be happy with the fact that you might get a very good player in the 2nd round or as an unsigned free agent. For the Knicks, if they get 3 rookies out of this draft & 2 from Kentucky (Towns, Harrison), I would be very enthused.
As a St Johns fan, it is frustrating bc we are vying for the same big men that UK is, and now they can also offer playing time.
As for the financial side for the kid, it depends. We all think, except that nice person Brandon Tierney, that Jordan can make more money staying in school this year, than winding up in the D-League. Not true for Towns or Okeafor. Depends. If you are definitely a 1st round pick, you probably have to go. If you are a lottery pick, you also have to go. For more marginal players, it's different.