Odds that shabazz returns?

[SJ]

I hope he's guaranteed to go in the first and goes. I love this kid, he's got as much heart as anyone who's put on the uniform and want to see him succeed more than anyone. If he comes back, I'll be happy, but it's great for this program when players leave when they're ready and get guaranteed contracts, and anybody that roots against that is just selfish.

Totally agree! He's my favorite, and I want him to come back, but what the heck do I know? He has to carve out his own path and he has great mentors.

And I know you're not saying anyone's rooting against Shabazz (like some other poster had said), it's just we can't really root for an outcome, either. Both scenarios are "good for the program."

Whatever he decides, good luck to #13!

 

[BoatShow]

Kid's leaving, has any 50/50 player ever come back for the next year? He can smell the NBA minimum and FUBU tracksuits, he's gone.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Kid's leaving, has any 50/50 player ever come back for the next year? He can smell the NBA minimum and FUBU tracksuits, he's gone.

Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger, Terrence Jones, etc.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

As a fan of the program I want him back next year. As a parent, if I were looking out for the absolute best long term interests of the kid, I would likely try to convince him to turn pro.

If what many recent articles have claimed are true, that he will be a mid-late first round pick in this year's draft, and put himself in position to be a long term #2 point guard on a solid team, while if he returns for his senior year, with little opportunity to improve his stock (and possibly risk hurting it) while the (supposedly) stronger draft class may push him to an early second round pick, sticking around one more year may make little sense.

 

[BFieldHusky]

As a fan of the program I want him back next year. As a parent, if I were looking out for the absolute best long term interests of the kid, I would likely try to convince him to turn pro.

If what many recent articles have claimed are true, that he will be a mid-late first round pick in this year's draft, and put himself in position to be a long term #2 point guard on a solid team, while if he returns for his senior year, with little opportunity to improve his stock (and possibly risk hurting it) while the (supposedly) stronger draft class may push him to an early second round pick, sticking around one more year may make little sense.

I love Shabazz, and he is having a great year. But there is no way he a mid to late first round pick this year. He would get drafted in the 2nd round. Look how many guys his size have gotten picked in the first round in the last 10-15 years.

 

[husky99]

I said i heard rumors back in sept that boat and bazz could easily make the nba jump and many people said i was foolish

 

[BoatShow]

Jayson Williams during the Maryland-Clemson game on ESPN2 just said "this is the worst draft I've seen in 20 years." He probably has to go. :-(

 

[dtrumpet]

I agree. At his small size, he needs to be BLAZING fast, or have a RIDICULOUS outside shot to make it in the NBA, IMO. He doesn't pass that test in either category. He is a GREAT college player who will go down as one of my all-time favorite Huskies, but I don't think he has the athleticism to stick in the NBA. I agree he will be making 6 figures overseas for a long time.

An NBA team that is well stocked with young talent that can afford to "waste" a pick may take him in the 2nd round because he clearly has shown he has "it" when it comes to crunch time, and that is obviously an important trait that doesn't show up on a tape measure. I think that's his only chance, and I think it's slim.

I just hope he is part of a great team in his Senior year next year so he can finish out his UCONN career in a manner that matches what he has given to this program!

+1
Shabazz was great at the end of regulation and OT against cincy, but was absent for a long stretch of the second half when they just denied his getting the ball. and we can't overlook the villanova game either. When opponents choose to focus on him, they have had some success taking him out of the game.
And Shabazz will also be mostly forgotten in March, while others perform on the big stage.
He's the reason this team is overachieving this year, but not NBA ready.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

I said i heard rumors back in sept that boat and bazz could easily make the nba jump and many people said i was foolish

Well that still applies if you're talking about Boatright.

 

[willie99]

Kid's leaving, has any 50/50 player ever come back for the next year? He can smell the NBA minimum and FUBU tracksuits, he's gone.

well, despite the fact that you're begging the question with your premise, I'll respond to the question you asked

Gay, Lamb, Thabeet and Sticks are the recent examples of kids coming back (although Sticks would of been better off leaving after his amazing post season run in 2009)

 

[pj]

Bazz is terrific, he'll go pro, he's better prepared for the NBA than 90% of the players who will be drafted and his weakness - height - is something he can't do anything about. He'll be taken mid to late first round and he'll be a steal.

 

[Ricky1Moore]

As much as I look forward to emmert's inevitable canning, I am hopeful that he's still in charge next year, Napier returns, and we make that final four run, and stick it up his ass one more time. I always like to point out that I am obviously a homer, but if everyone is back, and at least one of the incoming bigs is better than advertized... We have a shot at the whole thing. Reason is partially talent, and partially that we are uconn. This is how we roll

 

[Huskybass]

Some of you guys really underestimate Shabazz. This overseas talk is just silly. He is an NBA talent all the way.

 

[Huskybass]

I love Shabazz, and he is having a great year. But there is no way he a mid to late first round pick this year. He would get drafted in the 2nd round. Look how many guys his size have gotten picked in the first round in the last 10-15 years.

Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson are both smaller. There are plenty of others too.

 

[Danzz]

As a fan of the program I want him back next year. As a parent, if I were looking out for the absolute best long term interests of the kid, I would likely try to convince him to turn pro.

If what many recent articles have claimed are true, that he will be a mid-late first round pick in this year's draft, and put himself in position to be a long term #2 point guard on a solid team, while if he returns for his senior year, with little opportunity to improve his stock (and possibly risk hurting it) while the (supposedly) stronger draft class may push him to an early second round pick, sticking around one more year may make little sense.

From the reports I've heard Bazz is projected mid second round and I haven't seen anything that projects him in the first round. If he does have solid chance of going in the first round and sign a guaranteed contract then he should go. If not, he should return.
The coaches (including Calhoun) will be in touch with NBA scouts and Bazz should have a reasonable idea of his status by the time the NBA draft rolls around.IMO it is 50/50 right now.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson are both smaller. There are plenty of others too.

Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson were a lot more athletic than Shabazz.

 

[DMW88]

50/50 moving slighty to 60/40 he leaves. But i think he's a 2nd rounder. I think he could developer into a nice backup point guard. ie AJ I'd love to see him stay for his SR year and get this team to the NCAAs and see what happens

 

[Chief00]

I would be very surprised if he stays - I hope I am wrong.

 

[mauconnfan]

Moxy, balls, the need to win, the will to win, the need to go out a winner - officially!

He's coming back with a chip on his shoulder!!

 

[HuskyBballFan]

The beat writers have talked to scouts all year, and there hasn't been a single one who has said Napier is a 1st round pick. Not sure where some of you are getting this from.

Doesn't mean he won't leave, but he's not going in the 1st round.

 

[Chief00]

He is a much better shooter this year. Also last year there were questions regarding his interaction with teammates which have been quieted this year. He is not very big or super NBA fast for a guy his size so those two things will hurt him.

 

[willie99]

in the next 4 games, if he continues to play at the extremely high level he's played the last two games, his chances of leaving early improve dramatically.

it's what CB, MSG and CV all did, finish on a sensational run

CB & MSG included great tournament runs which projected them into the lottery

if Bazz plays like this next year and UConn makes post season noise, he will be a lottery pick

 

[NHUConnfan]

Am I the only one around here that thinks Bazz is never going to play a game in the NBA? He's been a great college player, but so was Jacob Pullen (yes I know Bazz is a little better, but same build, same game style). Bazz is the prototypical European star, but if he ever gets to play in the NBA, I fear it will be mostly as a benchwarmer.

Not trying to be negative--it's honestly what I think.

 

[Perspective]

Love the Bazz. Very much. Loyal and ballsy and clutch. A rare combination of traits.

But when I picture him in the NBA, I don't think about his O, which I think would be fine, but rather his D. And I think about the top 10 point guards in the league and I can't imagine SN staying in front of any of them. Love to be wrong, but his D is going to be what keeps him out of the league, or severely limits his PT there.

 

[aceboon]

Am I the only one around here that thinks Bazz is never going to play a game in the NBA? He's been a great college player, but so was Jacob Pullen (yes I know Bazz is a little better, but same build, same game style). Bazz is the prototypical European star, but if he ever gets to play in the NBA, I fear it will be mostly as a benchwarmer.

Not trying to be negative--it's honestly what I think.

Pullen was a SG, he didn't really play PG until Clemente graduated and even in that year Spralding was getting alot of minutes at PG. Their games aren't similar at all, Bazz has much better vision and PG insticts then Pullen.