Illini Basketball 2019-2020

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#426      
Possible rumblings of going back to Europe to make money for his family??

His mother posts on Facebook and she is really happy about him being on this team. And we saw what his brother did at that home game this season. They're all in.
 
#427      

blackdog

Champaign
I mean he had 12.5/5.2 with much better stats in the B1G. Would he be drafted? No. But is he better than some of the players testing the draft to get feedback? Probably.

Yea they talked in the interview about going through the process which means all the pre-draft shenanigans. If Andy Katz is suggesting it that means it's a very real possibility and people in the industry are talking about Giorgi with possible NBA potential.
 
#428      
His mother posts on Facebook and she is really happy about him being on this team. And we saw what his brother did at that home game this season. They're all in.
Just because shes happy and his brother is happy and Giorgi is happy doesn't mean that Giorgi leaving and playing professionally isn't a real option. The story of his upbringing clearly indicates they aren't well off, even him making 50k a year would be great. Not to mention playing closer to home.

Not implying that he will, or should, but I think it's easy to rationalize why he would.
 
#429      

KrushCow31

Former Krush Cow
Chicago, IL
Just because shes happy and his brother is happy and Giorgi is happy doesn't mean that Giorgi leaving and playing professionally isn't a real option. The story of his upbringing clearly indicates they aren't well off, even him making 50k a year would be great. Not to mention playing closer to home.

Not implying that he will, or should, but I think it's easy to rationalize why he would.

For a family that already sacrificed so much to get Giorgi where he is, I would think they'd be willing to wait another few years for a bigger payoff/a college degree vs a smaller European contract. That was the entire point of sacrificing I'd imagine.
 
#430      
Why did Katz ask Giorgi why he's coming back? He's just a freshman. :huh:

Additionally, with all the transfers in the game these days, it wouldn't be hard to envision blue bloods calling to gauge his interest in turning to the dark side.

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#431      

illiniswish09

Northwest Suburbs
You're insane if you think Giorgi is leaving to go play in Europe right now. No shot. Down the road? I hope he's a king in the Euro league.
 
#433      
I talked to Giorgi at the banquet and he is super stoked about being at Illinois- he loves the campus, the coach, his teammates, being a student,etc. I cant see him leaving for at least two more years or more.
 
#434      
As far as the schedule shakes out for us, I don't think it's QUITE as brutal as people make it out to be ... I really am closer to Katz's view of us next year than I am to thinking we'll get a slightly improved version of 18-19. Basically, I don't think the team that got smoked by Iowa in Chicago (GOD, that was a rough game to be at) is going to show up at all next year, at least not often at all.
 
#435      

Deleted member 236589

D
Guest
Not to be impatient, but doesn't Ayo have until tomorrow at 11:59PM to decide his intentions regarding the draft. I know most feel that he'll be back....I'm just interested to see if he'll test the waters. Unless he's 110% dedicated to coming back, which is always possible, I really don't see the downside.
 
#437      

illini80

Forgottonia
Not to be impatient, but doesn't Ayo have until tomorrow at 11:59PM to decide his intentions regarding the draft. I know most feel that he'll be back....I'm just interested to see if he'll test the waters. Unless he's 110% dedicated to coming back, which is always possible, I really don't see the downside.
You can only declare and back out once. If he thinks there is any chance of not going next year, it could be a consideration. Seems unlikely, but I suppose it is possible.
 
#438      
I talked to Giorgi at the banquet and he is super stoked about being at Illinois- he loves the campus, the coach, his teammates, being a student,etc. I cant see him leaving for at least two more years or more.

Anyone leaving for other than an NBA 1st round pick, is foolish. Many of us would love to be inn college for just one more year. Don't rush things, savor the best years of your life!
 
#439      
Just because shes happy and his brother is happy and Giorgi is happy doesn't mean that Giorgi leaving and playing professionally isn't a real option. The story of his upbringing clearly indicates they aren't well off, even him making 50k a year would be great. Not to mention playing closer to home.

Not implying that he will, or should, but I think it's easy to rationalize why he would.

His chances with the NBA are a lot higher if he stays i school, so yeah you can rationalize anything, but such a move for him at this time would be simply foolish and Giorgi is no fool.
 
#441      
For those of us who don’t have a Twitter machine, can you quote?
 
#444      
I'm not too worried. Transferring makes ZERO sense for him. He may be declaring for the draft, but that is not unexpected, especially since he can now go through the process and still return. If he does get drafted, then good, Illinois just got a player drafted in the first round for the first time in a long time.

Obviously, I'd prefer he play here next year. But if he doesn't because he got drafted, I won't be overly upset. The only REALLY bad outcome is that he announces he is transferring, but again, that would make no sense for him whatsoever.
 
#445      
My realistic outlook is that we will likely go 21-10 heading into the BTT, win 1-2 there, make at least the Sweet 16. So what is your initial reaction to my mentality? Pre-event realism is definitely fluid.

I'd say you are as sane as the rest of us....I will leave it righttttttt there.....
 
#450      
Ayo SHOULD test the draft waters.

If it's true that you can only do this once during your college years, then I'd say he shouldn't do it this year, he should wait until next year. Likelihood of getting a 1st round grade this year is low, imo.
 
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