I was at the game and ceremony and Bazz's tearful reaction makes me wonder...

[jdb50]

When was the last time one kid's decision ment so much to a program?
With conference realignment, starting a new conference, and the 2nd year of a new coach!

As far as meaning so much to UConn's program I'd have to say it is as big a decision as when Rip announced he'd be back. I still remember where I was when I heard that (my kids soccer game). Shabazz deserves to play in the NCAA's again and he will if he returns.

 

[Rico444]

I love Shabazz. He might be my all-time favorite Husky. I don't think he can improve his game that much, and I'm not inclined to believe that professional scouts give a damn whether or not there's media buzz around a player; just about every year, some no-name European prospect is taken in the top 5. So, if Shabazz has a shot at a 1st round pick this year, I would say he should go for it. If he gets taken, great; if not, he'll land with a professional team overseas.

I can't sit here and say I won't be a little disappointed if Shabazz says he's going into the draft; I root for the laundry, and obviously feel our chances of a title next year would go out the window with him leaving. But I'll be rooting like hell for Shabazz to kick ass in his workouts, get drafted in the 1st, and continue to represent the UConn brand the right way. And, if he decides to come back, I'll cherish rooting for him in every one of the 40 or so games we play next year.

 

[BoatShow]

I hope they all wait to decide until after the tourney for a couple reasons:

• The random kids from Cinderellas that go from a fringe pick to the first round
• They will decide they want another shot at a title.

 

[AtlantaHusky]

I love the emotion out of Shabazz. I support him whatever he decides, he is a special player and leader.

 

[UConn77]

The reality is that when you start talking about a guy leaving early, more often than not he is gone. I would be extremely surprised if Shabazz comes back, but it does not seem to me to be a done deal that he is gone.

 

[Huskyforlife]

IMHO he's staying. He knows this is a team with a great chance of going deep in the tournament. It won't change his draft stock but one more chance at a title is a good enough reason to stay

 

[gtcam]

He's not guaranteed making half a million. Stanley Robinson was drafted in the second round, and now he's working locally in the area.

The reason that you don't go early if you're not guaranteed a spot in the Top 20-25 is that if you happen to fall into the second round, if you want to keep playing, get ready to go to Europe.

Sticks has an NBA body Bazz has NBA onions but onions can't make you bigger. Can Bazz play in the league? most likely but with his size. etc. he has to fit into a very unique situation and those are far and few. If he comes back and displays a semi-Kemba season, the "rock star" aura comes into play and now you have some fan appeal.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

You think leaving early to go play in Europe is a good decision? I'm confused by a lot of the posts in this thread.

I think Shabazz is going to have to make a roster whether he comes out this year or the next, so it's not like he'd be passing on guaranteed money coming back to school. If you're not drafted in the first round, there's no difference between going undrafted and getting picked 50th. In a lot of ways it's more advantageous to be a de facto free agent.

 

[7774]

Here's what Shabazz should probably do...
He'll be a Senior next season, so that means even if he declares for the NBA Draft & does not sign with an agent, he can still return to UConn for his Senior season if he doesn't like his draft position. This would be a wise thing to do, even if he intends to return.

Much of his decision will depend on the health of his foot. I can see him going through the process, then making an educated decision. Ollie has so many NBA contacts, so hiring an agent is not needed. All Shabazz needs is one team to say we'll give you a guaranteed contract as a First round pick. Shabazz has repeatedly said "they're playing for next season", so that leads me to think he's returning for next season... but his play this season has piqued many NBA teams, so returning makes it less clear. I can see him as a JJ.Barea type of player at the next level (minus the Ray Allen foul)... short in stature, but full of confidence & results. NBA scouts know tough & clutch. Shabazz has that. Shabazz has a tough decision. If all of us could be that lucky for that choice!

It doesn't work like that anymore. You can't test the waters and return. You know, just the NCAA caring about the kids again.

 

[gtcam]

Boatright scares me a little bit...but honestly, does he think he is getting drafted? He would play in Europe for the rest of his life.

Boat, in my opinion. has as much chance to play in the NBA as Olender does- Olender has height, Boat can dipsy do - thats it on both

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Here's what Shabazz should probably do...
He'll be a Senior next season, so that means even if he declares for the NBA Draft & does not sign with an agent, he can still return to UConn for his Senior season if he doesn't like his draft position. This would be a wise thing to do, even if he intends to return.

You can't declare and then come back anymore, you're either in or out. The NCAA's purported drop dead date is 4/10, but the NBA doesn't recognize that date so I believe you have to affirmatively decide by the NBA's deadline of 4/29, then you're either in or out. No going back.

 

[Dove]

I feel he is coming back. I am sure KO pumped so much "You're my boy, Bazz" preachin' in his ear that Bazz will see things through a senior season, graduate and then go to Pro.

Is JC going to be like the Pope where all Huskies go to when it's decision time?

 

[SubbaBub]

Take the fan cap off for a moment.

Why is it a bad decision? I think he will get drafted, though maybe not in the first round. Even if he's a second round pick, he'll make half a million next year. Or he could play for UConn for free tuition.

That's lots of reasons to stay and lots of reasons to go. I'm not sure either is a bad decision at all.

Second round contracts aren't guaranteed. They are basically an invitation to training camp.

No.underclassman should declare unless they are guaranteed to go in the first round. Six foot point guards, doubly so.


Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

 

[7774]

I love Shabazz. He might be my all-time favorite Husky. I don't think he can improve his game that much, and I'm not inclined to believe that professional scouts give a damn whether or not there's media buzz around a player; just about every year, some no-name European prospect is taken in the top 5. So, if Shabazz has a shot at a 1st round pick this year, I would say he should go for it. If he gets taken, great; if not, he'll land with a professional team overseas.

I can't sit here and say I won't be a little disappointed if Shabazz says he's going into the draft; I root for the laundry, and obviously feel our chances of a title next year would go out the window with him leaving. But I'll be rooting like hell for Shabazz to kick ass in his workouts, get drafted in the 1st, and continue to represent the UConn brand the right way. And, if he decides to come back, I'll cherish rooting for him in every one of the 40 or so games we play next year.

NCAA tournament buzz is definitely a real thing, mainly because scouts like to see how you perform when the lights are brightest. There was no way Ben was going 3rd in the draft before his Big East and NCAA tournaments that year.

 

[Tenspro2002]

When was the last time one kid's decision ment so much to a program?
With conference realignment, starting a new conference, and the 2nd year of a new coach!

I firmly believe that next year is a tipping point towards determining whether we're going to be relevant in college basketball in the next 10-15 years.

If Bazz comes back, we're easily a top 25 team, maybe top 10, with a legitimate shot at making a deep run. Being in the national spotlight makes us more attractive to recruits and makes us more likely to get some top talent over the next few years. Recruiting is a snowball effect -- just look at Kentucky. All of the top players go there because, well, all of the previous top players have gone there! If you go to Kentucky it helps solidify the perception of you as a top player. Obviously we won't achieve quite that level, but it will be better than what we've pulled in.

If Bazz doesn't come back, we struggle to stay on the right side of the bubble and won't make a lot of noise. Recruiting likely stays challenging and we might not get back to the level we've been accustomed to for quite some time.

Of course I don't have a crystal ball so I have no idea to what degree this is true. That's just my view of the situation.

 

[Waquoit]

If you are not 1st round pick and you can be a 1st round pick by coming back, yes, it's a bad decision. Being a 2nd round pick is not good. It's better to go undrafted in many cases.

Yes, but if Bazz can get intel that says he gets picked in the 1st round this year, he goes. He's probably a 1st round pick.

 

[aceboon]

Yes, but if Bazz can get intel that says he gets picked in the 1st round this year, he goes. He's probably a 1st round pick.

Except he won't get that intel and he's not even guaranteed to get drafted, let alone 1st round, and I'm saying this as the biggest Bazz stan around.

 

[selles]

Yes, but if Bazz can get intel that says he gets picked in the 1st round this year, he goes. He's probably a 1st round
pick.

If he gets solid intel that he's a first rounder, he should go and may the road rise to meet him. Don't think it will happen though, the physical aspects aren't in his favor. As others have stated, his best bet is probably going to be coming back and having a good deep tourney run next year so that his leadership and clutchness are on full national display.

 

[BearJWS]

It doesn't work like that anymore. You can't test the waters and return. You know, just the NCAA caring about the kids again.

Yes, you can still declare & return, the deadline is just shorter. It's unfortunate that it's shorter. Think about it, any other college student can take a job or return to college up to the date they start a semester, even then if they take a job, they can still continue their studies. The NCAA should be like that too. The NCAA does these kids a disservice with this. What a Crock! Really. Going to college is all about bettering yourself for the future, if a kid wants to take his time to decide, then that's his decision, not the NCAA's. Don't get me started!

 

[aceboon]

Yes, you can still declare & return, the deadline is just shorter. It's unfortunate that it's shorter. Think about it, any other college student can take a job or return to college up to the date they start a semester, even then if they take a job, they can still continue their studies. The NCAA should be like that too. The NCAA does these kids a disservice with this. What a Crock! Really. Going to college is all about bettering yourself for the future, if a kid wants to take his time to decide, then that's his decision, not the NCAA's. Don't get me started!

there is no point in declaring and returning because with the new deadline there is no time to workout for teams, that is why you are either in or you're out. with KO's NBA contacts he will the due dilligence with front offices and guage where Bazz would be selected, if at all, and make an informed decision before the deadline.

 

[blackbird]

Take the fan cap off for a moment.

Why is it a bad decision? I think he will get drafted, though maybe not in the first round. Even if he's a second round pick, he'll make half a million next year. Or he could play for UConn for free tuition.

That's lots of reasons to stay and lots of reasons to go. I'm not sure either is a bad decision at all.

Because he likely won't go in the first round.

I'm not sure that he's an NBA player, period. But without a strong post season and injury concerns..that's going to lower his already "not the highest" stock.

Any reason why he's considering leaving? Does his family need money? Just asking, because it would really benefit him to come back. Improve some decision making, prove that he can stay Healthy, have a strong post season...that'll help him get drafted.

 

[UCDaveD]

From Borges January 20th blog:

A Western Conference scout on Bazz & Boat:

(on Napier)
“He’s got a little toughness about him, decent point guard skills. He likes to shoot, but that's not so bad anymore, because they play zones in the league now, they want their point guards to score a little bit. He's the kinda guy I wouldn’t count him out, but don’t think anybody’s gonna go crazy over him.”

"He's probably anywhere from mid-second round to not drafted. People are always looking for point guards. The odds are teams will wait to see if he slides through the draft. At that point, it's better for the players. A number of teams will want to bring him into summer leagues, so he's in a little more control of trhe process."


(on Boatright)

"For me, personally, he’s tough to like. He’s got the lethal traits of being (not smart with the ball) and selfish. When I first saw him I got excited, because he's got big-time quicknees. Maybe he’s reformed himself. A couple of times (he had a guy open and) he had to see the guy, but he's one of those moody little point guards who decide who they're going to pass to. I just hate that. You remember that as a player. You should make that play because it's the right play."

(on Boatright's small size)

"There are some small guys, and he does have big-time quickness. He’s not my cup of tea, but there may be somebody who thinks he’s got X-factor quickness ... and could be that catalyst type of guy. It's an 82-game schedule, things are going to happen to you, one way or another."

"I think it’s a mistake for both of them (to declare). The kid from Villanova (Maalik Wayns) lucked out. He probably thought he was gonna be drafted, he didn’t get drafted at all, and he's on end of bench with Philly (actually, Wayns' 10-day contract with the 76ers just expired, and he wasn't re-signed). I just don’t think you leave school, even for the second round. But I know the pressure these kids are under. They’re AAU guys, whoever they’re hanging around with, go home to, it’s like a red badge of courage that you’re going to be in the draft."

 

[UC990411]

Boat, in my opinion. has as much chance to play in the NBA as Olender does- Olender has height, Boat can dipsy do - thats it on both

Who's Olender and who says he can play in the league?

 

[ctchamps]

Who's Olender and who says he can play in the league?

Its Ahlahnder!

 

[Inyatkin]

I think your logic is right. But your facts with KEA are wrong. He was a freshman on the E8 1998 team, then was a sophomore on the title team. He came back after that year (he, perhaps, should have left, since I'm not sure he could have raised his stock, and probably had a chance for the first round).

His Junior year he was a bit hobbled by the end. They lost some silly games, but then made a run to the BET finals. The end of the season was frustrating, since KEA was injured in the Utah State game. That team had potential to get to the Final Four if he was healthy--the 1 and 2 seed were out of their bracket. If KEA was healthy and they got by Tennessee, they would have had 8-seed UNC, and then 7-seed Tulsa in the E8--and then 5-seed Florida. Just one of those really interesting counter-factuals for UConn... they probably lose to MSU for the title, but would you bet against a healthy KEA-Freeman-Voskhul team with one game for a repeat?

This is a good reminder that, to me, the 2000 season was hands down the most frustrating year I've had as a UConn fan. 2010 and last year are in the running, but that 2000 team had a lot of rough moments, and you just kept waiting for them to put it together, and they finally did at the end, and then Khalid gets hurt.