2015 SEC Basketball Players Leaving Early for NBA Draft Watch

[jbcarol]

Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  22h 22 hours ago

Updated: DraftExpress 2015 NBA Draft Early Entry List and Agent Listing http://www.draftexpress.com/2015-NBA-Draft-Early-Entry-List.php ...

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  22h 22 hours ago

Newly updated with some names/movement: the DX 2015 Mock Draft http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2015/ ... and Top-100 Prospects Ranking: http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/ ...

[jbcarol]

 Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  19h 19 hours ago

Fans should understand that entering the Draft has little to be with "being ready." It is a business decision based on where likely picked

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  9m 9 minutes ago

Kentucky sophomore Dakari Johnson is 'gathering information' with his family 'and will make a decision by week's end,' his mom tells @SNYtv

Johnson is a projected 2nd-round pick by @DraftExpress

For well informed NBA Mock Drafts, @DraftExpress is the best. Jonathan Givony attends tons of events here & overseas. Others, not so much.

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  19h 19 hours ago

Updated rosters and a preview of the 2015 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament, which kicks off tomorrow in Virginia: http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2015-Portsmouth-Invitational-Tournament-Official-Rosters-and-Preview-4870 ...

The players participating at the 2015 Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (April 8-11, official site) were announced today.

This is a particularly tough year for the PIT, which elected to hold their tournament the same week as the Nike Hoop Summit. That is expected to hurt the attendance numbers of top-level NBA decision makers, even if many scouts will still be present as always. Portsmouth was held a week later last year, and not as close to the NCAA Final Four, which is not ideal for some athletes from schools which were only recently eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.

The fact that there will once again be five on five competition games played at the NBA Combine in Chicago also may have prevented some seniors from attending Portsmouth as well...

Among Top Players NOT Attending (not invited or declined invites)

(#1) Frank Kaminsky Wisconsin
(#27) Jarvis Summers Mississippi
(#64) Kourtney Roberson Texas A&M

Among Participants

Levi Randolph Alabama
Marcus Thornton Georgia
K.T. Harrell Auburn

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  12h 12 hours ago

NBA Draft Early Entry List (Updates w/ Rondae Hollis-Jefferson) http://zagsblog.com/articles/2015-nba-draft-early-entry-list/ ...

[jbcarol]

 Gary Parrish @GaryParrishCBS  ·  12m 12 minutes ago

No surprise. But a source told @CBSSports that Kentucky's Harrison twins have decided to enter the NBA Draft. Story: http://cbsprt.co/1CgoNAB

It's still possible seven UK players will declare. But Dakari Johnson, I'm told, is at least genuinely torn. Could go either way with him.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  4h 4 hours ago
Kentucky's Dakari Johnson Will Declare for NBA Draft http://zagsblog.com/kentucky/kentuckys-dakari-johnson-will-declare-for-nba-draft/ ... @joshua_newman

[jbcarol]

CollegeBasketbllTalk @CBTonNBC  ·  4h 4 hours ago
2015 College Basketball Updated Early Entry List http://wp.me/p1aWjM-2cSS

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels @EvanDaniels  ·  36m 36 minutes ago
Based on what I've heard & the reports that have come out, the only one of the Kentucky guys that seems like a toss up is Devin Booker.

[jbcarol]

SEC Network @SECNetwork  ·  35m 35 minutes ago
Tomorrow, we are going to see.

The @KentuckyMBB Press Conference is LIVE Thursday at 2:30 PM ET on SECN.

[jbcarol]

Gary Parrish @GaryParrishCBS  ·  20h 20 hours ago

... The overwhelming majority of American college players selected in the second round do actually get guaranteed money. Like 80% of them. ...

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  3m 3 minutes ago

Official: Kentucky will lose all 7 players - Karl-Anthony Towns, Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Dakari Johnson and Harrison Twins.

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  1m 1 minute ago

Calipari said Alex Poythress hasn't decided yet whether to return to school. Likely second-rounder if decides to leave.

[jbcarol]

 ESPN Stats & Info @ESPNStatsInfo  ·  27m 27 minutes ago

We'll probably be seeing these players on June 25 during the NBA draft

[jbcarol]

 Michael DeCourcy @tsnmike

.@greyraven41 Jerry West once said something like: It's not about getting drafted, it's about having a career.

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  17m 17 minutes ago

Thus far, the two most baffling draft decisions come courtesy of Michael Frazier and J.P. Tokoto.

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  2h 2 hours ago

NBA Scout envisions Harrisons, Dakari Johnson spending time in D-League http://zagsblog.com/articles/seven-kentucky-players-declare-for-nba-draft/ ...

Would know.

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  4h 4 hours ago

2015 NBA Draft Early Entry List http://zagsblog.com/articles/2015-nba-draft-early-entry-list/ ...

Jordan Mickey     LSU             6-8     Sophomore
Jarrell Martin     LSU            6-9      Sophomore
Michael Frazier     Florida            6-4        Junior
Karl-Anthony Towns     Kentucky        6-11     Freshman
Willie Cauley-Stein     Kentucky        7-0     Junior
Trey Lyles     Kentucky        6-10     Freshman
Andrew Harrison     Kentucky        6-6     Sophomore
Aaron Harrison     Kentucky       6-6     Sophomore
Devin Booker     Kentucky     6-5     Freshman
Dakari Johnson     Kentucky     7-0     Sophomore

[jbcarol]

Gary Parrish @GaryParrishCBS  ·  24h 24 hours ago

Some mediocre prospects would rather be in the NBDL than do another year of school. Some lottery picks don't wanna leave college. All fine.

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  13m 13 minutes ago

Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer is considering declaring for NBA, sources confirm to ESPN. NBA execs just told me he might go undrafted.

NBA exec on Wiltjer: "He has a chance to work himself into a guaranteed contract if he comes back and improves his quickness and defense."

[jbcarol]

Chad FordVerified account ‏@chadfordinsider

With Demetrius Jackson heading back to school, we've updated our Big Board to 8.2

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  29m 29 minutes ago

Ben Roberts retweeted Chad Ford

Dakari Johnson now listed in "next five in" category after first round. KAT, WCS, Lyles and Booker all in the top 20


Chad Ford @chadfordinsider  ·  9m 9 minutes ago

Chad Ford retweeted Jeff Goodman

Yikes! We don't even have a draft card for Wiltjer. Never heard a scout who thought he was a NBA player.

[jbcarol]

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/13/2015-college-basketball-updated-early-entry-list

Devin Booker, Kentucky, Fr.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, Jr
Michael Frazier, Florida, Jr.
Aaron Harrison, Kentucky, So.
Andrew Harrison, Kentucky, So.
Trey Lyles, Kentucky, Fr.
Jarell Martin, LSU, So.
Jordan Mickey, LSU, So.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, Fr.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  13m 13 minutes ago

Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer is considering declaring for NBA, sources confirm to ESPN. NBA execs just told me he might go undrafted.

NBA exec on Wiltjer: "He has a chance to work himself into a guaranteed contract if he comes back and improves his quickness and defense."

    Really dude @GoodmanESPN ? I'm literally on the phone with Kyle right now and he is saying that is a blatant lie

    — Sam Malone (@SamMaloneuk13) April 14, 2015

[jbcarol]

 Gary Parrish @GaryParrishCBS  ·  2h 2 hours ago

It's official: Arkansas sophomore Bobby Portis is entering the 2015 NBA Draft.

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  2h 2 hours ago

Here are few more than haven't announced/decided: Amida Brimah, Terran Petteway, Alex Poythress, Michael Qualls, Chris Walker, Kyle Wiltjer.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  3h 3 hours ago

Likely or possible 1st-rounders still on the board: D'Angelo Russell, Stanley Johnson, Jakob Poeltl, Caris LeVert, Kris Dunn, Buddy Hield.

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  27m 27 minutes ago

N.C. State junior Trevor Lac(e)y confirms to ESPN that he is leaving for NBA. Tough blow for the Pack.

[jbcarol]

Mike Qualls ‏@Mr_WALKONAIR



12:47 PM - 15 Apr 2015

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  14h 14 hours ago

Quote from a high major head coach: "is anyone not transferring or going pro?"


#Kingsley

[jbcarol]

 Tyler Thompson @MrsTylerKSR  ·  Apr 20

Patrick Patterson pens amazing open letter to incoming NBA draft class: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/basketball-2/patrick-patterson-has-some-advice-for-the-incoming-nba-draft-class/ ...

My sophomore year at Kentucky, Jodie Meeks and I formed one of the best scoring tandems in college basketball. It was something I was comfortable with because I had shared the spotlight with O.J. Mayo in high school. But in my junior year, John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and DeMarcus Cousins joined the team, and I went from averaging 18 points and 9 rebounds to averaging 14 and 7.

    Playing on that team was a great preparation for the NBA because I learned how to tailor my game when I was surrounded by big-time talent. That was my wake-up call, and I'm thankful it happened while I was still in college. Don't look at your teammates as competition. If you can make them better, you'll improve as a player and everything else will fall into place. At Kentucky, I was put in a situation where I had to sacrifice shots and put more focus on other areas of my game. In the NBA, I was asked to do the same thing.

    Nobody dreams of being a role player, but those are the guys who manage to have decade-long careers...

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  19h 19 hours ago

Updated DX Top-100 prospect ranking, with quite a few players moving up one, two or more spots in the last few days: http://www.draftexpress.com/rankings/Top-100-Prospects/ ...

1. Karl Towns             UK
6. Willie Cauley-Stein  UK
15. Devin Booker        UK
16. Bobby Portis         AR
17. Trey Lyles            UK
25. Jarell Martin         LS
35. Dakari Johnson     UK
37. Michael Qualls      AR
50. Andrew Harrison   UK
51. Jordan Mickey      LS
56. Michael Frazier     UF
63. Aaron Harrison     UK
68. Josh Richardson    UT

[jbcarol]

John Calipari said he thinks Alex Poythress wants to return to school, and now we've got word directly from Alex himself

Alex Poythress @AlexTheGreat22

Ready to be apart of something special next year! #BBN
4:36 PM - 23 Apr 2015

[vine]MiI5xm1e2Ka[/vine]

[jbcarol]

Seth Greenberg @SethOnHoops  ·  1h 1 hour ago
This just in. An unproductive  non winning college players chance to be successful at another level is not good.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  1h 1 hour ago
NBA Scout on Chris Walker: "Mistake, should have then transferred. D-League guy at best."

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  2h 2 hours ago
2015 NBA Draft Early Entry List (Updates w/ Chris Walker) http://zagsblog.com/articles/2015-nba-draft-early-entry-list/ ...

I don't think it's a stretch to say that a bunch of these dudes are gonna be in the D-League next year.

[jbcarol]

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/24/2015-college-basketball-updated-early-entry-list

SEC:

Devin Booker, Kentucky, Fr.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, Jr.
Michael Frazier, Florida, Jr.
Aaron Harrison, Kentucky, So.
Andrew Harrison, Kentucky, So.
Dakari Johnson, Kentucky, So.
Jarell Martin, LSU, So.
Jordan Mickey, LSU, So.
Bobby Portis, Arkansas, So.
Michael Qualls, Arkansas, Jr.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, Fr.
Chris Walker, Florida, So

RETURNING TO SCHOOL
Dorian Finney-Smith, Florida, Jr.
Damian Jones, Vanderbilt, So.
Marcus Lee, Kentucky, So.
Alex Poythress, Kentucky, Jr.
Tyler Ulis, Kentucky, Fr.

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  Apr 22

In the last four drafts, only one player who was 22 years old or older on draft night has been picked in the Top-10 (Jimmer Fredette, #10).

Besides Jimmer Fredette, here are the last 22+ year olds picked in the Top-10: Wesley Johnson, Ekpe Udoh, Hasheem Thabeet, Yi Jianlian. Hmm.

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  2m 2 minutes ago

Karl-Anthony Towns instantly No. 2 @DraftExpress Marc Garcia, 1996-born Spanish SG playing in Manresa has entered the 2015 NBA Draft

[jbcarol]

The deadline for underclassmen to enter the NBA Draft came and went at midnight on Sunday night, meaning that we now know what rosters will more or less look like for the 2015-16 season.

Here are the six biggest winners (sic) losers from this year's draft deadline:

1. Virginia

4. Arkansas: The Razorbacks run as a top 25 team in the SEC will end at one season as Mike Anderson's two best players are heading to the professional ranks. SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis heading to the NBA wasn't all that surprising, but losing Michael Qualls — who was terrific in the NCAA tournament — hurt as well.

5. LSU: It wasn't all that surprising, but sophomores Jordan Mickey and Jarell Martin are both heading to the NBA. LSU brings in a loaded recruiting class — headlined by one of the nation's top two recruits in Ben Simmons — and they'll have one of the most talented perimeters in the country. But with Mickey and Martin back in the fold, they also would have had one of the best front courts.

OTHER LOSERS

    Florida: The Gators have a lot of work to do, and losing Michael Frazier II and Chris Walker certainly won't help all that much.
    Louisville: Rick Pitino was able to reload this offseason, but there will be a period of adjustment after the Cardinals watched Montrezl Harrell and Terry Rozier declare for the NBA Draft.
    Kentucky: It wasn't all that surprising, but Kentucky lost seven players from their 2014-15 team to the NBA Draft. None were all that surprising, however.

[jbcarol]

 Steve Kyler @stevekylerNBA  ·  5h 5 hours ago

Arkansas' Michael Qualls with the dunk show @e8hoops with @topp33

[vine]eWTArVqvltl[/vine]

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  2h 2 hours ago

The best and worst college-to-NBA decisions, including Sam Dekker (best) and Dakari Johnson (worst) ...

[jbcarol]

 Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  1h 1 hour ago

.@DraftExpress has its 1st mock draft accounting for team needs up. 3 UK players in top 12. All 7 projected as picks http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft-extended.php ...

16. Bobby Portis

The Celtics need a true rim-protector, but that will be difficult to find at this stage of the draft. Instead, they may look to add some depth at the power forward spot, where they've been starting 30-year old Brandon Bass, who becomes a free agent this summer (as does his backup Jonas Jerebko)...

[jbcarol]

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/24/2015-college-basketball-updated-early-entry-list

SEC:

Devin Booker, Kentucky, Fr.
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky, Jr.
Michael Frazier, Florida, Jr.
Aaron Harrison, Kentucky, So.
Andrew Harrison, Kentucky, So.
Dakari Johnson, Kentucky, So.
Jarell Martin, LSU, So.
Jordan Mickey, LSU, So.
Bobby Portis, Arkansas, So.
Michael Qualls, Arkansas, Jr.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Kentucky, Fr.
Chris Walker, Florida, So

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/28/2015-college-basketball-updated-early-entry-list/

Final list.  No changes for the SEC.

[jbcarol]

Warren K. Zola @WarrenKZola  ·  19h 19 hours ago
48 US early entrants for the 2015 @nba draft. How many will be drafted?

2014: 45 players (11 undrafted)
2013: 47 players (20 undrafted)

[jbcarol]

Steve Walentik @Steve_Walentik  ·  19h 19 hours ago
Blog: SEC hit hardest by NBA draft early entrants http://www.columbiatribune.com/blogs/courtside_view/sec-hit-hardest-by-nba-draft-early-entrants/article_1462c5c9-ade5-5f8e-9b77-4296e8cd63a2.html ...

A total of 47 college players threw their names in the NBA draft pool before the deadline to declare passed on Sunday night, with 13 coming from the rosters of Southeastern Conference teams — the most of any conference.

Seven of those players came from Kentucky alone. Arkansas, Florida and LSU all watched two players leave early.

That's a significant talent drain, the impact of which SEC schools can only hope will be minimized by strong recruiting in the 2015 class. Sixteen of the nation's Top 100 prospects according to 247Sports.com are headed to SEC schools, and Kentucky, LSU and Texas A&M have all signed recruiting classes currently ranked among the top 10 nationally with Florida solidly inside the top 20.

[jbcarol]

J. Riddell @Joshua_Riddell  ·  Apr 28
For @DraftExpress, Bobby Portis report, with video by @Mike_Schmitz http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Bobby-Portis-NBA-Draft-Scouting-Report-and-Video-Breakdown-4930 ...

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  May 2

A small number of players received the following questionnaire.They're only ones officially invited to Chicago so far

[jbcarol]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/mock-draft/expert/sam-vecenie

1. Towns
6. Cauley-Stein
11. Portis
14. Booker
19. Lyles
29. Martin

34. Qualls
38. Dakari
40. Mickey
49. An Harrison
51. Frazier II

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  9h 9 hours ago

New on DX: Updated NBA Draft Scouting Report on LSU's Jordan Mickey http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Jordan-Mickey-Updated-NBA-Draft-Scouting-Report-4941 ... -Evaluating one of the NCAA's best shot-blockers