Underclassmen Declare For 2008 NBA Draft

ScriptOhio · #1 (**permalink**) 04-08-2008, 04:22 PM

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona sophomore Chase Budinger plans to explore his chances in the NBA draft, the second Wildcat player to consider his pro prospects.
It's not known whether Budinger will hire an agent, the team said Tuesday. If he doesn't, he could keep his college eligibility if he withdraws his name 10 days before the draft on June 26.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Florida center Marreese Speights declared himself eligible for the NBA draft Tuesday, though he will not hire an agent and is keeping open the possibility of returning to the Gators for his junior season.

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona freshman guard Jerryd Bayless has decided to enter the NBA draft.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Louisville sophomore forward Earl Clark will skip his final two seasons and enter the NBA draft.

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) -- California sophomore forward Ryan Anderson has decided to test his NBA value by declaring for the draft Thursday without signing with an agent.

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Nevada sophomore Javale McGee, the top shot-blocker in the Western Athletic Conference this season, has decided to sign an agent and enter the NBA draft this year, the school said.

Entire article: SI.com - 2008 NCAA Tourney - Headed to the NBA Draft - Tuesday April 8, 2008 3:38PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana freshman Eric Gordon is entering the NBA draft.

Entire article: SI.com - 2008 NCAA Tourney - Gordon makes it official: He's leaving Indiana for NBA - Monday April 7, 2008 5:06PM

LSU frosh Randolph to test NBA waters

LSU freshman Anthony Randolph has declared for the NBA Draft, but has not signed with an agent. "I'm going to declare," Randolph told FOXSports.com. "But I'm going to wait and see what happens before I sign with an agent."

Entire article: FOX Sports on MSN - COLLEGE BASKETBALL - LSU frosh Randolph to test NBA waters

ScriptOhio · #2 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 05:04 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- UCLA All-American Kevin Love and teammate Darren Collison will make themselves available for the NBA draft, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday night.
The newspaper, quoting unidentified sources close to the players, reported they are expected to hire agents, which would mean they could not return to play for the Bruins next season.
However, Collison denied the report through a UCLA spokesman, saying he hadn't yet talked with his parents about his future plans.

Entire article: SI.com - NCAA Basketball - Report: UCLA's Love, Collison going pro - Tuesday April 8, 2008 11:44PM

LitlBuck · #3 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 11:17 AM

I know that Love is very very good but for some reason I thought he would stay in school one more year. Saying that, I guess it is all about the $$$

ysubuck · #4 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 11:27 AM

Per espin: Love's mother has also denied the report to an Oregon newspaper.

Padraig · #5 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I guess it is all about the $$$

I used to think the same thing when kids would leave early, but I've changed my stance somewhat.

For some of them, sure, there's no doubt in my mind that a big pay-check, a super-star life style, and such is the main (maybe only) motivation. But with the uncertainty of "tomorrow", freak accidents that could completely rob a kid of his ability to play ball (any sport), if someone is willing to pay me millions of dollars (even hundreds of thosands) in a signing bonus, I'm just not sure that I'd be willing to take that risk of playing another season or two when you're one knee injury away from potentially losing that signing bonus, or ever playing again.

I know there are insurance policies and stuff, and I am thrilled with our Buckeye student athletes who do choose to return for another season at Ohio State to participate in their respective sport, but I can't begrudge anyone who is "offered employment" with great pay before completing school or even leaving earlier than I expect to secure their financial future (hopefully they spend / save / invest wisely) and their family's.

P.S.

I believe it was on PTI yesterday that one of them (Kornheiser maybe) said that given the choice of any of the entrants / prospective entrants in this year's NBA Draft, that he would take Love #1 over all. Not that I agree with that, but that's saying something (however little, depending on your opinion of TK

) about his draft stock.

BuckeyeNation27 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 11:42 AM

I don't think Love's game translates very well to the NBA at all.

LitlBuck · #7 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padraig

I believe it was on PTI yesterday that one of them (Kornheiser maybe) said that given the choice of any of the entrants / prospective entrants in this year's NBA Draft, that he would take Love #1 over all. Not that I agree with that, but that's saying something (however little, depending on your opinion of TK

) about his draft stock.

I guess he would be probably be in the top 2-3 but I cannot see him going over Beasley but maybe I am wrong. I know what you mean about injuries but it's a sad state when kids don't enjoy their college experience anymore.

BuckeyeTillIDie · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNation27

I don't think Love's game translates very well to the NBA at all.

I agree. If a team took him at #1 that would be hilarious.