2015 SEC Basketball Players Leaving Early for NBA Draft Watch

[jbcarol]

Randy Rosetta @RandyRosetta  ·  8 hours ago
I might be miscontruing, but listeing to @LSUCoachJones, sounds like Martin & Mickey are less guaranteed to leave than were before season.

Tiger Rag @Tiger_Rag  ·  3 hours ago
Ricky Blanton: Keys for Jarell are 1) staying out of foul trouble 2) do other things when scoring isn't coming.

[jbcarol]

The "Elephant in the Coal Lodge" is who from UK chooses to stay and who choose to go and the affect on 2015 recruiting down the stretch.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  20 hours ago
You can make the case that @KATis32 has  bigger upside going forward than @BigJah15
http://theknicksblog.com/knicks/aau-director-the-knicks-should-play-like-clowns-for-karl-towns/ ... ...

Ed Bright, the Director of Towns' AAU team, Sports U Team IZOD:

"[Jahlil Okafor] is not the guy [the Knicks] need," Bright told SNY.tv and The Knicks Blog by phone. "New York needs Karl Towns. I believe that Karl Towns will be an iconic ball player. I believe that he will be a generational athlete."

[jbcarol]

Matt Jones @KySportsRadio  ·  33 seconds ago
Boston Celtics' writer explains why he wants Willie Cauley-Stein to join the Celtics: http://kentuckysportsradio.com/nba-cats/celtics-writer-wants-willie-cauley-stein-in-boston-green/ ...

Primarily, Cauley-Stein is a rim protector: one of the best in college basketball and in the projected draft class.  He is a 7-footer with a 7-2 wingspan, and he is super athletic.

He blocks 1.6 shots per game on average, but alters countless shot attempts as well.  His length allows him to guard centers and his quickness allows him to guard power forwards.  Rim protection is one of the biggest needs for the Celtics.  Kelly Olynyk is not athletic enough to be a game-changing defender. Tyler Zeller is the closest thing they've got, but he can't always get the job done.

Aside from rim protection, Cauley-Stein is sneaky with steals.  He is averaging 2.3 per 40 minutes, and is always trying to poke the ball out of players hands...

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels @EvanDaniels  ·  57 minutes ago
Karl Towns is sliding up the NBA draft board like...

http://instagram.com/p/y8ZLm7v-vO/

[jbcarol]

Chad Ford's latest Big Board has four Cats in the top 20

4. Karl Towns
7. Willie Cauley-Stein
13. Devin Booker
19. Trey Lyles

Dakari Johnson came in at #34

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  2 hours ago

New trend emerging of 5-stars waiting on decisions?: "These guys have the leverage, so why would they be in a rush?" http://bit.ly/1Mc7ipA


Waiting to see who leaves early.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  21 hours ago

New Story || Kentucky's senior walk-ons have had almost as many future-NBA-draft-pick teammates as career losses: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2015/03/05/uk-senior-day-walk-ons-witnesses-to-history/24452641/ ...

UK'S PROJECTED NBA DRAFT PICKS

(Draft Express.com)

2015 – No. 2 Karl-Anthony Towns, No. 7 Willie Cauley-Stein, No. 14 Devin Booker, No. 25 Trey Lyles, No. 36 Dakari Johnson, No. 51 Andrew Harrison

2016 – No. 27 Marcus Lee, No. 49 Alex Poythress

* Not listed: Aaron Harrison, Tyler Ulis...

[jbcarol]

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft/2015

Lottery
2. Towns
7. Cauley-Stein

Other 1st Round
15. Booker
16. Portis
26. Lyles

2nd Round (contract not guaranteed)
32. Martin
37. Dakari Johnson
51. Andrew Harrison

[jbcarol]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/draft/mock-draft

[jbcarol]

Ben Roberts @NextCats  ·  5 hours ago
Still lots of questions about NBA stock of Harrisons. Andrew projected at #51. Aaron not in Top 100. What's missing? http://bit.ly/1F8ztps

[jbcarol]

http://www.nbadraft.net/2015mock_draft

4. Towns, UK
11. Lyles, UK
14. Cauley, UK
15. Portis, UA
17. D. Jones, VU

37. Mickey, LS
42. Dakari, UK
47. Poythress, UK
49. Andrew H., UK

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway @gatorhoops  ·  15 hours ago
Notebook: Finney-Smith, Frazier, Walker non-committal about returning next season - via @Gator_sports http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20150313/ARTICLES/150319758 ...

[jbcarol]

AP Top 25 @AP_Top25  ·  17h 17 hours ago
Tom Izzo: Some 1-and-dones getting bad advice, should stay in school http://apne.ws/18Prdhn 

"God, I would die to go back to college," Izzo said. "You know, I really would, too. I think like a lot of my former players that are in the NBA, it's a job. It's a nice job, but it's a job. College isn't a job and I think so many kids are missing out. So I would take a completely different approach -- not what's best for the NBA, not what's best for the college, what truly is best for the kid and how can we work around it."

[jbcarol]

Randy Rosetta @RandyRosetta  ·  Mar 21
Now LSU's attention turns to decisions for Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey  http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2015/03/now_lsus_attention_turns_to_th.html ...

[jbcarol]

 Jonathan Givony @DraftExpress  ·  1h 1 hour ago

Bobby Portis "leaning toward coming back just because we lost & I hate losing." Also: "It's a process. Can't rush it" http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/mar/23/portis-is-leaning-to-return-20150323/ ...

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman @BrentZwerneman  ·  41m 41 minutes ago
Billy Kennedy told me he expects Danuel House back for SR season (instead of turning pro). An NCAA tourney run might've changed things.

[jbcarol]

 Ross Dellenger @DellengerAdv  ·  2h 2 hours ago

RT @GoodmanESPN: LSU sophomore big man Jordan Mickey is leaning towards leaving for the NBA Draft, sources told ESPN.

[jbcarol]

Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  3h 3 hours ago

N.C. State's Mark Gottfried thinks every college basketball player should have his name submitted to the NBA Draft http://zagsblog.com/articles/the-4-quarters-podcast-will-brown-mark-gottfried-larry-blunt-and-the-sweet-16/ ...

[jbcarol]

 Randy Rosetta @RandyRosetta  ·  7h 7 hours ago

#LSU's Jarell Martin will enter the 2015 NBA Draft, two sources say http://s.nola.com/Q6JXfTd  via @nolanews

[Pignominious]

Randy Rosetta @RandyRosetta  ·  7h 7 hours ago

#LSU's Jarell Martin will enter the 2015 NBA Draft, two sources say http://s.nola.com/Q6JXfTd  via @nolanews

Thanks for the updates.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  8h 8 hours ago
Wow. @jeffborzello: Florida guard Michael Frazier is expected to declare for the NBA Draft, sources told ESPN.

[jbcarol]

Michael DeCourcy @tsnmike  ·  2h 2 hours ago
Trey Lyles should play another year at Kentucky. If they can't see he's top 7 good, show 'em next year.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Frederickson @Ben_Fred  ·  51m 51 minutes ago

Good call RT @GoodmanESPN: Vanderbilt big man Damian Jones will return for his junior season, sources told ESPN.

[jbcarol]

 Josh Newman @Joshua_Newman  ·  2h 2 hours ago

Pitino said Harrell/Rozier leaving during his wrap-up presser, so there's that. Harrell is top-20, Rozier has work to do right now at 36

[jbcarol]

 Jeff Goodman @GoodmanESPN  ·  1h 1 hour ago

LSU's Jordan Mickey has made it official. He is headed to NBA draft.

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  4m 4 minutes ago

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

Below is a fluid list of Early Entrant candidates for the 2015 NBA Draft based on various sources, interviews and media reports.

The NBA's Early Entry eligibility deadline is April 26. The NBA will release its official list of Early Entry Draft after that.

Includes:

Jordan Mickey     LSU             6-8     Sophomore
Jarrell Martin     LSU            6-9      Sophomore
Michael Frazier     Florida            6-4        Junior

[kingcam25]

Is there a cut off date for when players have to decide about the NBA. It may be posted somewhere else. I couldnt find it.

[Rawkus]

April 26th

[dhornjr1]

 :razorback:

[hogsrule44]

APRIL 1ST

[jb11]

I thought it is April 12th.

[All Bleed Red]

Key NBA dates for 2014-15:
2015
Jan. 5 -- 10-day contracts can now be signed
Jan. 10 -- All contracts are guaranteed for remainder of the season
Jan. 15 -- NBA Global Games (Knicks vs. Bucks in London, England at The O2)
Feb. 13-15 -- 2015 NBA All-Star (Brooklyn and New York)
Feb. 19 -- 2015 NBA Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)
March 1 -- Playoff Eligibility Waiver Deadline
April 15 -- Last Day of 2014-15 Regular Season
April 18 -- 2015 NBA Playoffs begin
April 26 -- NBA Draft Early Entry Eligibility Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)
May 4 or 5 -- Conference Semifinals begin (possible move-up to May 2 or 3)
May 12-17 -- 2015 NBA Draft Combine (on court portion May 14-15)
May 19 or 20 -- Conference Finals begin (possible move-up to May 17 or 18)
May 19 -- 2015 NBA Draft Lottery
June 4 -- The Finals begin (no move-up)
June 15 -- NBA Draft Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline (5 p.m. ET)
June 25 -- 2015 NBA Draft

[Thepigdoctor]

I believe April 13th is the NCAA deadline for players to withdraw from NBA draft and declare intention to return to school by, but they have up until April 26th to declare.

[bighog2255]

Portis and Qualls MUST decide by April 12th whether or not they intend to play next year. Don't be confused by the April 26th date.

From the NCAA website:

"7. When is the deadline to withdraw from the draft?
In order to remain eligible to compete in intercollegiate basketball, you must withdraw your name from the draft by April 12, 2015."

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2015_MBB_NBAEducationalDoc_021315.pdf

[kingcam25]

Ok thanks guys.

[pick_DA_EAGLES]

Portis and Qualls MUST decide by April 12th whether or not they intend to play next year. Don't be confused by the April 26th date.

From the NCAA website:

"7. When is the deadline to withdraw from the draft?
In order to remain eligible to compete in intercollegiate basketball, you must withdraw your name from the draft by April 12, 2015."

http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/2015_MBB_NBAEducationalDoc_021315.pdf

I think this only applies IF they entered their names into the draft, I don't think either have as of now. They can still change their minds and enter the draft up until April 26.

[Thepigdoctor]

I think this only applies IF they entered their names into the draft, I don't think either have as of now. They can still change their minds and enter the draft up until April 26.

Correct, but in doing so remove their ability to return to Arkansas.

[TexArkHogFan]

Just a hunch, but I think we'll know sooner than that.  Anderson probably already has a pretty good idea.  If they call a press conference, they'll be back.  If they declare, it will be in the form of a statement.

[pick_DA_EAGLES]

Correct, but in doing so remove their ability to return to Arkansas.

I figure regardless of when they enter there name(s), if they do, they are nit coming back. I sure both are getting all the feedback they can handle.

[Thepigdoctor]

I figure regardless of when they enter there name(s), if they do, they are nit coming back. I sure both are getting all the feedback they can handle.

Excellent point. I don't really believe either is the type to waffle on their first commitment. We saw that especially from Bobby remaining a Hog lock for years. Doubt either of the two "test the waters" then back out. Either in or out.

[EastMemphisHog]

Just a hunch, but I think we'll know sooner than that.  Anderson probably already has a pretty good idea.  If they call a press conference, they'll be back.  If they declare, it will be in the form of a statement.

Ronnie Brewer declared in a press conference

[CallMeAl]

I remember that Ray Biggers declared April 10-12th.

[WooPig90]

Google is a pretty sweet invention

[umpqua]

I'm pretty sure that Ray Biggers went in the 10-12 round.

[jbcarol]

 Adam Zagoria @AdamZagoria  ·  2h 2 hours ago

NBA Scout Says Seven Kentucky Players 'Are Gone' to the NBA http://zagsblog.com/articles/nba-scout-says-seven-kentucky-players-are-gone-to-the-nba/ ... @joshua_newman @tsnmike

INDIANAPOLIS — Seven Kentucky players are expected to leave for the NBA after the NCAA Tournament is over, one veteran NBA scout told SNY.tv on the eve of the Final Four.

"I think all seven leave," the scout, who has attended numerous Kentucky games and practices, told SNY.tv. "If they win it all, there's no doubt in my mind all seven of them leave. No doubt."

He added: "I'm telling you what I hear from some pretty good sources that seven of the 10 are gone."

The group of seven includes freshman big man Karl-Anthony Towns, projected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Knicks by DraftExpress.com; junior center Willie Cauley-Stein (No. 6); freshman shooting guard Devin Booker (No. 17); freshman forward Trey Lyles (No. 19); sophomore center Dakari Johnson (No. 39); sophomore guard Andrew Harrison (No. 53); and sophomore guard Aaron Harrison (N/A).

Might any of them stay if Kentucky doesn't win the NCAA championship?

"The only ones who would stay [if they lose] would be a [Trey] Lyles, maybe a [Devin] Booker," the scout said. "The rest of them are all going, I don't care if they win or lose. I think if they lose there's maybe a moment [of pause] by Trey Lyles or Devin Booker. Those are the only two that I think may pause at all. Regardless what happens I'm fairly confident that the Harrison twins, Dakari, Karl and Willie are all gone. No doubt in my mind."

Kentucky set a record in 2012 by having six players drafted after they won the NCAA championship...

[dhornjr1]

I remember that Ray Biggers declared April 10-12th.

I'm almost positive that he declared sometime between October and December.

[Athog]

April 26th

Think is April 12.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker @KyleTucker_CJ  ·  3m 3 minutes ago
The world needs to see Towns vs. Okafor. Now both @DraftExpress and @chadfordinsider have moved Towns ahead as No. 1 prospect.

[jbcarol]

Keri Potts @MsPotts_ESPN  ·  5m 5 minutes ago
He'd slay at dodgeball MT @SSpakeESPN: Took this pic of Okafor holding a basketball back in Feb. Now you understand?