InDaAZ
- Eugene, Oregon
Quentin Coleman’d be like “wait… WHAT?!?”
Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread
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Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
If you are in lottery position of the draft, it is almost a no brainer to go pro. Getting the rookie contract out of the way a year sooner than if you went back to college is actually super important.
Not to mention 3 years of first round Illini picks in a row looks great for the program.
pruman91
- interviewing new NL's daily....I really really am
I’m thinking a Boom might happen later today or this evening
If i were Wagler I would wait to see the draft order and make my decision on who has pick 4-6. Will Riley is getting some tick, but also was on the team that let Bam score 83
He needs to go.
Literally No. 5 on ESPN’s updated big board this morning… no (reputable) mock draft has him below 7… many have him as high as 5… basically 0% chance he falls out of the top 10 barring some catastrophic combine or injury.
Makes ZERO logical sense to be back in college.
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Coming soon …
Apparently Blackwell isn’t officially in the portal yet.
I agree in theory and if I was in that position and someone put the numbers of lifetime earnings in front of me, it's hard to argue with them. But for guys in the NBA, if you get to your second contract, you're making tens of millions, if not 100+ million. I know when you consider taxes, agents, and all that gets sucked out of that, its not that number, but what's the difference between 150 million and 200 million of lifetime earnings in your day to day life when you are 45 years old? Guys that live comfortably in retirement spend wisely during their career and didn't blow it all on 5th and 6th cars, private planes and other stupid purchases. I think there is something to be said about coming back and if you win a national championship, what that does to your legacy as a player. To me, its more about the daily grind of the college team routine vs the pro routine. Did you enjoy all of the off-the-court time as a college player and were you comfortable?
Maybe we can have Brandon Lieb put in a good word.
I would have said that a few days ago until I heard what was offered for him to stay. Could be nonsense, but if true, he has to be considering it lol.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Will Riley is a perfect example of the benefits of the "if you're a first rounder, go" mindset. He's done more than "get some tick" he is turning heads as a budding star.
You spend more hours playing more basketball against better competition in the NBA than in college, with more private trainers, dieticians, the whole bit. And if you're a first rounder your team has a multi-year investment in you succeeding down that pathway.
Will could have crushed it in college this year, but he's developed far more in the NBA and is a year closer to the big free agency payday.
Until Wagler makes it official that he's going pro, I'll continue to hold out hope. And while college NIL could never get close to his lottery-pick contract, he would be the face of college b-ball if he stayed. And with a good agent, he could parlay that into much better endorsement/promotion deals than as a rookie for the Pelicans.
Well, zero FINANCIAL sense.
You're absolutely right. It makes absolutely no LOGICAL sense.
But I'm assuming the Wagler family isn't Vulcan, so emotional factors might come into play, like a level of comfort and joy when PLAYING the game, while still banking a big bag.
My gut tells me Keaton is NBA bound, but there is some reason to feel otherwise.
If you are Cooper Flagg i think that argument is a very good one. Cooper Flagg is 100% going to retire with $100Ms so the money doesn't matter. His legacy is what concerns him and even if he wins 6 championships and is one of the best of all time, Michael Jordan will still have a National Championship on his mantle that Cooper FLagg won't have.
However, Wagler was over 100 on the recruitment list. If he has a less than perfect season next year, who knows if the NBA sours on him and he drops to the late first round? As good as he is, the perception is so important as almost nobody (except maybe Lebron) comes into the league and is immediately dominant. They all get much better while in the league (or don't). $25MM guaranteed is a lot different than $4MM at illinois and then risking (even a small risk) of slipping in draft and/or washing out of NBA on a much smaller rookie deal. The difference between $100M and 200M is smaller than the difference between $10MM and $25MM in lifetime earnings.
Lot of buzz with Michigan for Juke Harris.
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
The difference I see in KW from Will Riley and KJ though is the mentality. Once word got to KJ and Will that NBA scouts wanted them first round, they went full Darryn Peterson and dried up on the court. But after Keaton dropped 46 in Mackey on #4 Purdue, he kept steady and led the team further. I still want him to go Pro now because it's better for him, but I don't think KW wants the money and fame to the extent of Will and KJ; therefore we can compare a little bit but not entirely I think.
turnaround3
- 1st & Daniel
So. Drej.Today would be a great day to free up some $$ and roster spots so we can go reload …
Is Misko still holding out? I’m gonna be so pissed if I see Mirk in Carolina blue.
Why does the ESPN link on April 17th have him as Illinois Fighting Illini guard? The timeline seems off here.
Well… if it makes no logical sense, then it shouldn’t make emotional sense either if you’re a logical person.
The date to make a decision for staying in the draft is far before the draft lottery happens.
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