ivwilsoniv
- Aurora, IL
If he leaves, that obviously seriously diminishes hopes of any rebounds next year.
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Leron Black
- Status
If he leaves, that obviously seriously diminishes hopes of any rebounds next year.
FIFY
A married couple I know worked for the same Fortune 500 company. He took a position in Italy for a three year term. She was unable to get a work permit to do the same job she already had from home in Italy, and ended up having to be out of the country 50% of the time.
I was surprised by some of the lower salary projections for Leron. I just read an article about Jack Cooley that said he got $250k to play in Turkey his first year out. I have no idea how much better or worse Cooley was than Black. The article also mentioned David Simon from IUPFW, with whom I am not familiar, who apparently has never made less than $90k and as much as $400 playing overseas. Of course, allowances and perks could be baked into the numbers referenced.
nah, for some reason Leron has a reputation for being an excellent rebounder, but he averaged fewer than 5/game in B1G play last year...not even close to top 20 in the league. Depending on who else we bring in, it's possible that our rebounding could improve.
With that said, he's obviously turned himself into a fantastic offensive player, so Leron leaving would definitely diminish our outlook for next season. Hopefully he's back.
Oldtoysrock
- Sarasota, Florida
Great research. Now if you can find out how much they are each getting paid, I’ll be really impressed.
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There is no question of Leron's offensive abilities. My hope is that we have enough returnees who understand the offensive system to get more open looks and we make layups. The improvement will come from defending the rim. Ebo will be a step up from Leron and Kane will contribute in that regard. We need another experienced big transfer (and/or Finke improvement) and some defensive help for Trent, DaMonte, and TeJon in the form of Ayo and maybe a Jones. Our avg scoring difference was 5 pts with +6 pts given up in FT's. We have three contributing freshmen who will be sophomores. If I wasn't an optimist I would have stopped following them years ago.
FeelYourPaign
- So Cal
This is the logic for so many of us :thumb:
mhuml32
- Cincinnati, OH
Depends on the country and depends on his fiancee's career outlet. If an employer is willing to sponsor a work visa, shouldn't be a problem.
I can only speak for EU with personal experience, but if you are employed in the US (especially as a manager) you can be transferred to EU on a work visa on assignment in multinational corporations (equivalent to the L visa in the US). But for EU, it is extremely difficult to get a working visa directly through an employer, especially straight out of college. His fiance will be able to join him as a dependent but getting a job of her own would be challenging.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Definitely depends on the country. My wife got a job in the UK and I was covered for work as a spouse. We work for the same company. I would guess a basketball team won't get a work visa for his fiance but could be part of the deal.
We also had to pay taxes in both countries and the company we worked for, as part of the assignment agreement, paid the difference in taxes. It was a pretty good amount of cash, too. The agreements between the US and various countries are different, too.
In short, he'll have to ensure all these various questions are sufficiently answered if he ends up leaving school.
The Dave
- CA
When? I didn't look up stats, but I have been underwhelmed by Leron's rebounding numbers forever, as I recall.
I mean, Groce and Underwood always called him a "double-double" guy, but he was never even close.
Apparently in practice, he is a rebounding machine.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Assuming that the only way for Black to get answers, is after he's officially signed with an agent, seems naive.
Leron definitely was seen as a rebounder coming out of high school (averaged 13/g) and if I remember correctly he notched a double-double in his very first start and had a couple big rebounding games his freshman year. Thought he’d be a monster on the boards there on out. Those numbers haven’t planned out but he does go for rebounds with both hands and secures well
Agree he was seen as a rebounder, but I just haven't ever seen him live up to that. I am not sure why he isn't a great rebounder, but he clearly isn't.
Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
How hard is it to find another Mike Davis? I'd give away my beach house and 8000 calories a day for a year for some who could give us a fairly reliable double double.
As would every other 350+ college basketball team.
Yes, but I think we go into hypotheticals beyond norm. It is a lot different for a company offering two employees, or husband/wife, employment, legal help, etc. especially if they really want/need one of the two. But unless you it is an NBA team, or in this case, a high level Euroleague team, they will not absorb such large overhead offering his fiance a job, hiring immigration attorneys, or cutting deals with investment banking firms. If they were willing to do so, they would just offer higher salaries to begin with.
Black is nowhere near Euroleague level. International basketball can be lucrative at the high end, but for many players it is not a great financial proposition, actually often a financial sacrifice for keeping their career and dream alive.
Best of luck to Leron in whatever he chooses!
Once you declare for the NBA, you get feedback from NBA teams and personnel on where you approximately stand and the DIA can assist in that process without hiring an agent.
As for Black, he will not get NBA looks, but I believe he knows that. If he elects to pursue international basketball, he has to hire an agent, otherwise it is impossible to navigate that maze.
blackdog
- Champaign
He is two inches too short and doesn't quite have the vert. Gotta have either height or good hops to go get those out of are rebounds.
Vertical of 31.5 vs Kipper at 36. Think a long arm span however. (Per Fletch's 2016 stats)
This is key!!
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Totally agree that it is a maze. However, it's possible to be advised by an agent, without hiring said agent (yet). That way, if things don't pan out, he can come back for his final year.
Under appreciated by Illini fans as a whole.
He rebounded better when he could play the 4 rather than the 5. Which makes sense because 1) he is a 4 and 2) he wasn’t matched up against guys that were consistently bigger.
Not sure why it has to be explained that a 4 playing the 5 spot won’t rebound as well.
- Status