Every year at this time, you look at the list of college basketball players who decided to forgo eligibility to stay in the NBA Draft and wonder “what on Earth are they doing?” Or you ask “did the draft go from two rounds to five rounds and no one told me?”
Leading the way in 2011 is Notre Dame forward Carleton Scott who played three seasons (2008-11) with the Irish, and had one year of eligibility remaining after sitting out his freshman season in 2007-08.
In 84 career outings (38 starts), he scored 557 points for a 6.6 career points per game average, grabbed 403 rebounds (4.8 per game) Kind of underwhelming numbers, yes? He didn’t exactly finish strong either, going 1-10 FG, 0-4 3 pt in the Irish elimination game in the round of 32 at the hands of Florida State
On the other hand, Scott was Notre Dame’s third-leading scorer this past season with a career-high 11.2 ppg and topped the squad with 7.4 rpg and 1.9 bpg. He reached double figures in 20 contests, 10-plus boards in 11 and had seven double-doubles.
And even though he very likely won’t get drafted, Scott graduates this month from the College of Arts and Letters with a degree in history and computer applications. So he probably just didn’t want to go to grad school. (understandable) And he isn’t leaving a great degree from a great school in a tough major on the table; he already has it.
Other “questionable” or “surprising” decisions to stay in draft:
This is a Paul M. Banks and David Kay collaboration
Troy Gillenwater, PF, New Mexico State, 6-8, Jr.
‘10-‘11: 18.9 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 45.9 FG%, 74.9 FT%, 36.3 3-PT%
Not a true NBA prospect but is still keeping his name in the draft. There is very little chance he gets drafted.
Jeremy Green, SG, Stanford, 6-4, Jr.
’10-’11: 16.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 42.3 FG%, 79.4 FT%, 42.9 3-PT%
Green has dealt with his share of issues at Stanford including recently being suspended for academics reasons. He is rolling the dice by staying in the draft since he could very well not get selected.
Cory Joseph, PG, Texas, 6-3, Fr.
’10-’11: 10.4 ppg, 3 apg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 TOpg, 42.2 FG%, 69.9 FT%, 41.3 3-PT%
With the Longhorns already losing Tristan Thompson and Jordan Hamilton to the draft and the fact they bring in highly-touted point guard recruit Myck Kabongo, Joseph has decided to stay in the draft. He is likely second round pick based on potential alone and will not be ready to contribute at the NBA level for at least a year or two.
Ralph Sampson III, C, Minnesota, 6-11, Jr.
’10-’11: 10.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2 bpg, 47.1 FG%, 73.9 FT%, 19.2 3-PT%
This one confuses me. Sampson might get a late second round flyer due to his size but is nowhere near ready to compete an the NBA level. Anyone who watched a Gophers came this past winter will agree.
And don’t forget DeAndre Liggins from Kentucky as well…
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest webzine. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank
David Kay is a senior feature NBA Draft, NBA, and college basketball writer for the Sports Bank. He also heads up the NBA and college basketball material at Walter Football.com
You can follow him on Twitter at DavidKay_TSB.