Illini Basketball 2020-2021

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#301      
Does anybody know what the International options are if kids go undrafted??
I think to your point, no. At this point, I don’t think even the G league is a given for next year, with MLB as an example, minor leagues seem like an added expense that the NBA could cut. Many of the foreign leagues look to be rather low budget, so I would bet there will be much fewer opportunities this coming year. I really don’t think any route is a sure thing in the current environment.
 
#302      
It's not just the times that are different... You are comparing a 6'7" PF who was never a legitimate NBA (or even a high level European) prospect to a 7' 300 lb leviathan, who will almost certainly play in the NBA at some point. College is not the only place you can play and get better. lf you are good enough, they will find you wherever you are.
It's quite possible that there will be no college basketball next year. Under the circumstances, his only chance to play in competitive games sometime in the next 12 months, may be to keep his options open as a pro.
He is such a unique prospect. I still think he has a chance to get drafted.
Go back & read the posts from that time period. Everyone on here thought Leron was the greatest and had a bright future at a high level in Europe. If you saw him at the TBT he wasnt very good at all. I dont see any way Kofi will get drafted in the first two rounds with the trend in the NBA to have bigs shoot the 3 and be mobile away from the basket. I wish him the best too but think this is a huge mistake for him if he doesnt come back.
 
#303      
Would think the G league has more chance of being cancelled than NCAA. Can’t possibly be a money maker and NBA is going to bleed money. NCAA however would make money from tv revenue.
 
#304      

WINT

Kewanee, IL
Would think the G league has more chance of being cancelled than NCAA. Can’t possibly be a money maker and NBA is going to bleed money. NCAA however would make money from tv revenue.

G league can bubble. And if it’s the only thing on, I’m probably going to watch.
 
#305      
Hadn’t watched much NBA basketball in the last few years until playoffs as effort seemed lacking and was boring. Have been watching games recently and effort seems to be there and like the open game. Seems there are a lot of bigs that look a lot slower than Kofi. I believe if he develops a shot he will play a long time and his ft shooting may indicate an aptitude. Question is where he does his development, college or pros.
Ayo looks like a perfect fit to me if he can shoot the three in +35% range. Has the speed and length to compete if he gains a little strength.
 
#306      
Go back & read the posts from that time period. Everyone on here thought Leron was the greatest and had a bright future at a high level in Europe. If you saw him at the TBT he wasnt very good at all. I dont see any way Kofi will get drafted in the first two rounds with the trend in the NBA to have bigs shoot the 3 and be mobile away from the basket. I wish him the best too but think this is a huge mistake for him if he doesnt come back.


Kofi has been working on his 3's
 
#308      
It's not just the times that are different... You are comparing a 6'7" PF who was never a legitimate NBA (or even a high level European) prospect to a 7' 300 lb leviathan, who will almost certainly play in the NBA at some point. College is not the only place you can play and get better. lf you are good enough, they will find you wherever you are.
It's quite possible that there will be no college basketball next year. Under the circumstances, his only chance to play in competitive games sometime in the next 12 months, may be to keep his options open as a pro.
He is such a unique prospect. I still think he has a chance to get drafted.

Looks like you are on your own with that draft assessment. I have yet to see a single draft projection pick him to be drafted, and I've seen at least 10.
 
#309      
Good stuff Calvin, also back in April, 42 International players registered for the draft. I don't know how many have opted out, but if all are staying in, that "won't get drafted" number increases to 87. That seems like a terribly high number of kids that could be disappointed plus no option to return to college. G league can take on some but nowhere near that number. Does anybody know what the International options are if kids go undrafted??

Oye, you can probably go play down under with the Aussie's, assuming they'll let you travel from the US. They have things under control down there and will probably play a season.
 
#310      
Maybe I am wrong, but I don't think he is not shooting NBA 3's in that video. He is standing behind a line though.
You are right, he is at the HS 3 line. But if he hits consistently even from that distance, he has to be guarded, which opens up the paint. And, I would think he will continue to move back as he practices and develops more. He is getting better and better really quickly.
 
#311      
Looks like you are on your own with that draft assessment. I have yet to see a single draft projection pick him to be drafted, and I've seen at least 10.
Perhaps, but I tend to believe most prognosticators were assuming he would return to school for a chance to get a 1st round grade.

If there were any kind of certainty that a full season would occur, I think Kofi would do just that. The more I think about it, the less I think this season has any chance of being normal. The implications of players and staffs traveling all over the country is likely to derail the whole thing. In less than a week, its already unraveling in baseball with 17 Marlins testing positive.

Kofi has massive potential, even if his type isn't in vogue in the NBA. I'm just not sure what the upside of staying is right now. He has to play to improve. I think its going to be more difficult for the NCAA to facilitate games than the pros.
 
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#313      
You are right, he is at the HS 3 line. But if he hits consistently even from that distance, he has to be guarded, which opens up the paint. And, I would think he will continue to move back as he practices and develops more. He is getting better and better really quickly.
The NBA 3 is way beyond that, but he is hitting the high school 3 better than I thought he would.
 
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#314      

sacraig

The desert
The NBA 3 is way beyond that.

Sure, but it makes a lot of sense to practice where he is first so he can develop ANY kind of jump shot (especially a mid-range one by NBA standards). He had very little last year and even this distance is valuable for his future. After he gets consistent there, then step back further.
 
#315      

hooraybeer

Pittsburgh, PA
as Illini fans we all want Kofi on the the team but if it's the best decision for him professionally we will all support him staying in the draft.
 
#317      

billybaroo

Pebble Beach, CA
Go back & read the posts from that time period. Everyone on here thought Leron was the greatest and had a bright future at a high level in Europe. If you saw him at the TBT he wasnt very good at all. I dont see any way Kofi will get drafted in the first two rounds with the trend in the NBA to have bigs shoot the 3 and be mobile away from the basket. I wish him the best too but think this is a huge mistake for him if he doesnt come back.
I agree that Leron didn't look great. He looked out of shape to me. He was never a plus athlete to begin with, but looked much slower than I remember.
 
#318      
Can’t be a “rebuilding season” for us if there is no season at all.

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#320      

sacraig

The desert
All I can tell you is that the staff are scrambling at this very moment They are pushing very very hard for Mac because the general consensus was kofi would be coming back staff did not expect him to receive a combine invite.
These next few days will be rough.

Rough... or exciting.
 
#321      
All I can tell you is that the staff are scrambling at this very moment They are pushing very very hard for Mac because the general consensus was kofi would be coming back staff did not expect him to receive a combine invite.
These next few days will be rough.
...and Mac is a re-class prospect?
 
#322      
What about Malik Fitts? I didn’t see his name on the combine list. Maybe not a 5 but could definitely help. Or is he done with college regardless?
 
#324      
I agree that Leron didn't look great. He looked out of shape to me. He was never a plus athlete to begin with, but looked much slower than I remember.

In 11 games with Flamengo of the Brazilian League for 2019-2020 season, Leron averaged 6 MPG and scored 3 PPG.
 
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