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Message: [QUOTE="UConnRock, post: 3917495, member: 1024"] Ray (1996), Rip (1999) and Kemba (2011). It is a different draft mentality now both for players and teams. There is a stigma with being an upperclassman. In Ray's, Rip's, and Kemba's time the potential jump in salary from bottom of the 1st round to lottery made it worthwhile to stay for another year Also Ray as the #5 pick made $1.75M in first year, Hamilton (#7 pick) made $1.8M, and Kemba (#9 pick) made $1.9M. The #12 pick last year (Tyrese Hailburton) made $3.8M in year 1 and is guaranteed $4M in year 2. Conversely in Rip's draft year the bottom of the 1st round made $600K-$800K. If Bouk falls to #20 in the draft he will still be guaranteed over $4M in the first 2 years. Unless he is a total bust he will make between $12M-$20M is his 1st contract. How do you ask a kid to pass up that opportunity. If he comes back his will be double teamed, knocked around and and risk additional injuries. Bouk did what he could in college with some bumps in the road caused by his brief suspension, COVID issues in 2020 and 2021, and an injury. Sadly, as fans we did not get to see him prosper in the post season. I have said, Bouk will be known as the guy that got UConn basketball back in the 1st round and hopefully back in the lottery. That is a huge accomplishment and will help the team in the future. [/QUOTE]