2020 NBA Draft

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#428      
Could be a perfect storm for Ayo. Without a tournament his stock couldnt fall. Draft rank will go up because it didnt have a chance to go down.
 
#432      
I wish Ga

Luka Garza should join him.
Does anyone find his non-entrance quite interesting? I think it says something about the state of the NBA today and the types of players they are looking for. Garza couldn't have had a better year. The stats and film and accolades all prove that he's a top tier talent...yet he has not entered his name into the Draft nor do I see his name on mock drafts yet!! I don't possibly see any more work that can be done on his part other than waiting for next year to see if the draft thins out on the center position and he puts his name in the pot. I find this interesting as a story for Kofi for a couple of reasons: 1) It almost affirms that he's not leaving (though much of that concern has gone away anyways...still, you never know) 2) It opens up the door a bit more to him returning even for a Jr year season and 3) he'll have to adjust his game a bit to show what the NBA wants more of or double down on what he is and dominate in that fashion

I feel bad for Garza because he does really deserve to take the next step. He outplayed two other centers in the B1G but isn't even considered an option for the next step yet they are 1st round locks?!?! Go figure.
 
#434      
Does anyone find his non-entrance quite interesting? I think it says something about the state of the NBA today and the types of players they are looking for. Garza couldn't have had a better year. The stats and film and accolades all prove that he's a top tier talent...yet he has not entered his name into the Draft nor do I see his name on mock drafts yet!! I don't possibly see any more work that can be done on his part other than waiting for next year to see if the draft thins out on the center position and he puts his name in the pot. I find this interesting as a story for Kofi for a couple of reasons: 1) It almost affirms that he's not leaving (though much of that concern has gone away anyways...still, you never know) 2) It opens up the door a bit more to him returning even for a Jr year season and 3) he'll have to adjust his game a bit to show what the NBA wants more of or double down on what he is and dominate in that fashion

I feel bad for Garza because he does really deserve to take the next step. He outplayed two other centers in the B1G but isn't even considered an option for the next step yet they are 1st round locks?!?! Go figure.

Agree and it's why I think suggestions for Kofi to work on his post-moves to improve his draft stock are misplaced. The NBA just doesn't play through a low post player anymore. Kofi would have to do yeoman's work to ever get close to having the polish to his low post game that either Garza or Jahlil Okafor has, and neither of them are in demand for the NBA.

For Kofi to make the league he needs to continue to improve his timing on help defense, his rebounding, and perfect rolling off a screen to the rim.

Kofi's future in the league is as a rim-running, rebounding shot-blocker. No one is going to feed him in the post.
 
#436      
the thing that has me curious is that he says over and over he will be one and done, however he was excited about Goodes comittment, as if hes expecting to be there for year 2 and play with goode.. then goode commented back let's get to work bro.. what's your guys take ?

If Kofi stays in the draft, he will become the first true "one-and-done" player in Illini basketball history. If this becomes a new trend, that won't necessarily be a bad thing.
 
#437      
If Kofi stays in the draft, he will become the first true "one-and-done" player in Illini basketball history. If this becomes a new trend, that won't necessarily be a bad thing.
I gotta disagree here. For me, I do not want to become a 1-done school. I also do not think that having a 1-done system brings that many more championships. Plus, I just don't like it. Sorry, irrational, but just opinion.
 
#439      
Not sure Ayo is even a point guard in the league, he is gonna be a combo guard. Certainly does have the handles to bring it up but you want him working off the ball a good bit.

His stock is still all over the board. I'm not sure where he goes. My best guess is still mid-2nd round, but he may go late 1st and he certainly might go undrafted. He 3pt percentage is a wart on his stats. His all around game is what has to be taken into account. Went through all the 6'5/6'6 guys that are in consideration and his numbers are fine in comparison but many have better. If they don't they are other things, like defensive player of the year in the SEC. Despite my belief he should get drafted because I'm all in on Ayo it may not happen.
 
#440      
I gotta disagree here. For me, I do not want to become a 1-done school. I also do not think that having a 1-done system brings that many more championships. Plus, I just don't like it. Sorry, irrational, but just opinion.
The University of Washington has a 1 and done tradition that has resulted in a two-tier team — the superstars and the scrubs. Sullen pouting on the bench. Chaotic timeouts and mental mistakes afterwards. Heroball for days. Uncoachable future stars. None of which translated to success on the floor; through two coaches now going back over 10 years.

There are 8 former Dawgs in the NBA today, with two more declaring this year. NCAA tourney appearances during these 10 years: 3. And 2020 they finished last in the Pac-12. With two 1-and-done’s in the starting lineup.

You want future NBA talent but there is a balance that has to happen. If all you are doing is showing off offensive player skills while never playing good fundamentals or actually winning games then its a very dissatisfying team to watch play indeed.
 
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#441      
Personally think UNC is the best school to try and emulate (obviously easier said than done.. but UK and Duke are uniquely 1 and done heavy). Without looking up actual numbers, feels like UNC maybe has 1 1 and done every other year. They have a few early entrants, but the focus of their recruiting seems to be in the 20-50 range. You grab talent that is on the cusp of being NBA ready--perhaps some need all 4 years, others 3, and maybe you get surprised by a couple now and then and they go after one. You still have a deep team with some serious talent and a decent amount of age.

Not saying they dont go after and get top 20 guys frequently, but they live in another space compared to Duke/UK yet they have been just as competitive. There are different levels of being a 1 and done school (and it's going to change very quickly over the next few years). Just because you occasionally have one and dones doesnt mean your team needs to be dependent on them (like PNWIllini mentioned with Washington--and they do a poor job of it).
 
#442      
Personally think UNC is the best school to try and emulate (obviously easier said than done.. but UK and Duke are uniquely 1 and done heavy). Without looking up actual numbers, feels like UNC maybe has 1 1 and done every other year. They have a few early entrants, but the focus of their recruiting seems to be in the 20-50 range. You grab talent that is on the cusp of being NBA ready--perhaps some need all 4 years, others 3, and maybe you get surprised by a couple now and then and they go after one. You still have a deep team with some serious talent and a decent amount of age.

Not saying they dont go after and get top 20 guys frequently, but they live in another space compared to Duke/UK yet they have been just as competitive. There are different levels of being a 1 and done school (and it's going to change very quickly over the next few years). Just because you occasionally have one and dones doesnt mean your team needs to be dependent on them (like PNWIllini mentioned with Washington--and they do a poor job of it).
2 last year, 1 this year, and from their incoming class probably 2-3 next year. Was actually surprised to find they only had 1 one and done between 2013-2018. Maybe their recent one and dones are a testament to their struggles this season.
 
#443      
Personally think UNC is the best school to try and emulate (obviously easier said than done.. but UK and Duke are uniquely 1 and done heavy). Without looking up actual numbers, feels like UNC maybe has 1 1 and done every other year. They have a few early entrants, but the focus of their recruiting seems to be in the 20-50 range. You grab talent that is on the cusp of being NBA ready--perhaps some need all 4 years, others 3, and maybe you get surprised by a couple now and then and they go after one. You still have a deep team with some serious talent and a decent amount of age.

Not saying they dont go after and get top 20 guys frequently, but they live in another space compared to Duke/UK yet they have been just as competitive. There are different levels of being a 1 and done school (and it's going to change very quickly over the next few years). Just because you occasionally have one and dones doesnt mean your team needs to be dependent on them (like PNWIllini mentioned with Washington--and they do a poor job of it).
I don’t want to emulate a program that cheats (academic scandal) and gets away with it because the NCAA is too ball less to do anything about it
 
#444      
I don’t want to emulate a program that cheats (academic scandal) and gets away with it because the NCAA is too ball less to do anything about it
Thought it went without saying I'd like the program to stay clean. Anyone who wants otherwise has exhibits 1-1000 on why that doesn't work.

I fully believe a school can at anytime have 2-5ish top 50 players, and fill out another 5 or so with top 150 kids, and stay clean while doing it. That's where I'd like us to live. And honestly, we're pretty darn close to that right now. Probably only going to become harder with transfers increasing, but still an obtainable baseline for a team. 1 and done's are great, but in small doses.
 
#445      
IMHO if Ayo plays to his strengths, plays smart, drives hard, and has a pass first PG mentality while letting the shots come to him he can play his way back into the first round.. Dwill would be a great example of the type of mindset I'd like to see from him , Ayo does not have to try and win games on his own. We have good players and he can lead more effectively, take care of, share the ball and let the game come to him then he can make others better both he and our team will play much better the remainder of the year.
Andre Curbelo is gonna do that... Ayo is a scorer and needs to improve his shooting ability... ball handling and defense...
 
#446      

ILL in IA

Iowa City
Ayo and Kofi left off of The Athletics mock draft posted today.
 
#447      
If Ayo or Kofi aren't drafted will they have the option of returning, and would they? I mean Italy has a league.
 
#448      
Ayo and Kofi left off of The Athletics mock draft posted today.

Seems that Vecenie left Ayo out of this mock based on his own judgement that Ayo could pull out of the draft after talking with college coaches, and nba coaches and executives. Was among a group of players that he left out based on that judgement.
 
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