College Basketball Random Chatter 2016-17

• ironman02

  Garrison Brooks has committed to Carolina. The 2017 PF was committed to Mississippi State, where his dad had coached, but recently got his release. It was rumored that Brooks was to originally set to commit to UNC, but changed his mind after family pressure. In the end, he'll end up in Chapel Hill after all.
  
  After losing Meeks and Hicks to graduation, Carolina would have had Maye and Bradley as the only two returning bigs. They already had Sterling Manley and Brandon Huffman committed in the 2017 class, but with Bradley still considering hiring an agent and staying in the draft, the addition of Brooks makes sure that the Heels won't be thin in the front court. They could be very inexperienced, but at least they'll have some big bodies to develop into solid post players.
• wildcats20

  

  I've read that Knox wants to play the 3. Which adding Garrison would definitely help with.
• Azubuike24

  

  Sounds like Jontay Porter, Michael's younger brother is moving from the 2018 class to the 2017 class and going to Missouri. Ranked #20 in the 2018 class.
  
  They are still in on Knox and 2 other top 100 players. Might be a really fun team to watch next year.
• ironman02

  Sounds like Tony Bradley might go ahead and hire an agent and stay in the draft. Not sure why he wouldn't hold off and see where he's projected once the workouts are over, but we'll see what happens.
• wildcats20

  

  ironman02;1849505 wrote:Sounds like Tony Bradley might go ahead and hire an agent and stay in the draft. Not sure why he wouldn't hold off and see where he's projected once the workouts are over, but we'll see what happens.

  Makes absolutely ZERO sense. But whatever. Wish him well.
• Azubuike24

  

  Hamidou Diallo entered the draft too. There's always a lot more about these decisions than any of us know or the mock drafts tell us.
• ironman02

  Azubuike24;1849508 wrote:Hamidou Diallo entered the draft too. There's always a lot more about these decisions than any of us know or the mock drafts tell us.

  Hard to turn down the money. I think sometimes the decisions are a little confusing because if some of these guys waited a year, they would be guaranteed much more money. There's always a risk involved with returning though, so that's probably the motivation. Get as much money as you can and don't risk injury.
  
  The thing that confuses me about Bradley, though, isn't declaring and going through the process. It's hiring an agent. Why not just wait a month and then hire one if you get good feedback from a few franchises?
• Azubuike24

  

  Because agents do help you through the process, the logistics, etc. It seems routine to us on a big scale, but it's a billion dollar industry and to each of these guys, it might be their only shot. We only see the millions and the 1% who are in the spotlight, but an agent is kind of like an attorney when you're in trouble. It makes financial and logistical sense to get one ASAP. We have to remember also that many of these kids don't have anyone in their lives who can handle this stuff.
• ironman02

  Azubuike24;1849514 wrote:Because agents do help you through the process, the logistics, etc. It seems routine to us on a big scale, but it's a billion dollar industry and to each of these guys, it might be their only shot. We only see the millions and the 1% who are in the spotlight, but an agent is kind of like an attorney when you're in trouble. It makes financial and logistical sense to get one ASAP. We have to remember also that many of these kids don't have anyone in their lives who can handle this stuff.

  That is true, but Justin Jackson just went through the process last year without hiring an agent and returned to school. I'm fairly confident that with all the NBA connections, etc. within the Carolina program, Bradley could get enough good info and be prepared well enough to make it through his workouts without an agent. Like you said, though, there are things or circumstances that we know nothing about.
  
  Whatever the case may be, I wish him well. If he does hire an agent, Roy will have his third one and done. lol
• Azubuike24

  

  1. your program really can't assist these guys with this stuff. Doesn't mean it can't happen, but it's not like they have agents on staff at the school to take control of these kids' careers.
  
  2. many of these guys DO have people who can help. You also make a good point, there are connections out there, especially with a top program. However, how trustworthy are these guys once the kid is in their hands? A program has to be really careful about trying to sway them one way or another.
  
  I think the biggest factor that never really pierces discussion about college basketball players enter the draft is that the media and the fans only see the extremes. We see it as "this guy is projected to go undrafted, he could make millions if he came back a year" or "this guy is a guaranteed first rounder, take the money!" Truth is, there's a ton of middle ground where a guy could just be looking at making tens of thousands or paying off family debts or expenses. Even more so, just putting food on the table. Furthermore, it's unfortunate, but I will guess that a decent percentage of players are simply victims of the ignorant and naive. The NBA could give a shit really about whether these guys go to the draft. The NBA benefits by having as many prospects to choose from as possible and there's no doubt they will sway feedback that way. We hear it every year about so and so is a guaranteed first rounder or guaranteed a deal in the second with Team XYZ. How often does it play out that way? In the end, only 60 players get drafted.
• wildcats20

  

  So Bradley has "officially" entered the draft, but won't hire an agent...yet.
  
  No announcement or word or anything from Joel Berry. Which only leads me to believe he is coming back. Which is really his only option.
• ironman02

  wildcats20;1849527 wrote:So Bradley has "officially" entered the draft, but won't hire an agent...yet.
  
  No announcement or word or anything from Joel Berry. Which only leads me to believe he is coming back. Which is really his only option.

  Glad to hear that Bradley decided not to hire an agent yet. If he ends up getting a 1st round guarantee, then can't blame him for going. Just don't wanna see him end up going in the 2nd round and then regretting the decision to jump.
• ironman02

  Looks like Joel Berry may also declare but without an agent. I would expect a formal announcement on Berry and Bradley from UNC today since obviously the decisions have been made.
• ironman02

  And Pinson too. Makes sense for them to all go through the process. I would expect Berry and Pinson to return, but not sure about Bradley at this point.
  
  http://www.scout.com/college/north-carolina/story/1770488-berry-bradley-pinson-to-test-nba-process
• Azubuike24

  

  Anyone who ever dreamed of playing in the NBA should enter the draft.
• wildcats20

  

  Joel Berry will be back on Chapel Hill. Just waiting on Theo and Tony to do the same.
• ironman02

  wildcats20;1849735 wrote:Joel Berry will be back on Chapel Hill. Just waiting on Theo and Tony to do the same.

  Not surprised that he's coming back, but surprised he withdrew so early.
• ironman02

  http://www.scout.com/college/north-carolina/forums/1410-basketball/15549523-pinson-withdraws-from-nba-draft
  
  Pinson returning as well. Just waiting on Bradley's decision after the combine.
• wildcats20

  

  ironman02;1851278 wrote:http://www.scout.com/college/north-carolina/forums/1410-basketball/15549523-pinson-withdraws-from-nba-draft
  
  Pinson returning as well. Just waiting on Bradley's decision after the combine.

  Bradley is gonna be gone, I have a feeling. Hopefully that sways Knox to go to Chapel Hill.
• ironman02

  wildcats20;1851305 wrote:Bradley is gonna be gone, I have a feeling. Hopefully that sways Knox to go to Chapel Hill.

  Sounds to me like Knox and Duval are headed to Durham. Hope I'm wrong.
  
  I get the same feeling as you about Bradley.
• wildcats20

  

  Knox is set to announce tonight.
• wildcats20

  

  Annnnnnnd UK it is.
• ironman02

  wildcats20;1851694 wrote:Annnnnnnd UK it is.

  Lol. Of course it is.
  
  At least it wasn't Duke, I suppose.
• ironman02

  Trevon Duval committed to Duke today.
• Azubuike24

  

  ironman02;1853095 wrote:Trevon Duval committed to Duke today.

  Will become immediately eligible without any questions. Guy has one of the shadiest school careers and has been 50/50 to be eligible for over a year.