AW to opt for extra year

[PTownHawkeye]

I'm disappointed that we won't be able to see that silky smooth jumper for another year, but this is the best option for everyone. However, AW has been a terrific cheerleader for this team. Its fun to watch him be the first out to greet his teammates when a TO is called.

I remember sitting in a hotel room in West Bend, WI when I saw on the BradleyFans that he broke his foot. I dreaded the slow and steady return because I remember how much Anthony Parker struggled to return from a very similar injury and only played about 1/3 of a season at full strength his senior year. Its great that AW has a chance to come back in 09-10 on top of his game.

[mrcoachdude]

AW will be so much more rounded as a player......I know this is a tough season for him...but he is so into the games and the players...he will be like another assistant coach and have THAT kind of experience to draw on the next two seasons......

Andrew......Miss watching you play....but we know you are AWESOME and have great years ahead!

[OrangeandBlack74]

Let's have some veterans and bring back SS also!

Yes, let's bring back Sam! He's only been here what...7-8 years now. What's another year among friends?

Seriously, I was listening to Sam on the post-game show last night. I don't think I've ever heard a college athlete that's as well spoken and coherent as Sam. He is a terrific representative of the university!

[BradleyBrave]

Yes, let's bring back Sam! He's only been here what...7-8 years now. What's another year among friends?

Seriously, I was listening to Sam on the post-game show last night. I don't think I've ever heard a college athlete that's as well spoken and coherent as Sam. He is a terrific representative of the university!

And he's actually decent at basketball now too!

[OrangeandBlack74]

And he's actually decent at basketball now too!

I think Sam's multiple injuries prevented him from showing his basketball talent prior to this year. He's healthy now (well, except for the broken nose), and his play shows it!

[pfunk880]

I was thinking about the return of SS which would be fine with me but Im not sure it would be great for the court development of Thompson. Sometimes its best to have someone move on so someone else can move in. That decision though probably wont be look at to strongly until after the season.

Yeah, but I think having an experienced player to lead Thompson and Egolf along is important as well.

[SFP]

I dont buy into the extra year helps him with play pro ball, older players generally are less likely to make an NBA roster, which regardless of his years of school hes not doing and he can play in Europe if he wants but the extra year wont influence that much if at all.

This is best for the Bradley program, I dont know if it is best for Warren other then he has a decision made.

I could not disagree with you more with your assessment here. I know that NBA executives are known to take a flier on potential and that is why you saw them take players right after HS. AW though will be a different matter because he will now have 2 full years left to build up his resume which to this point has been very decent but not great. The team's success the next two years will only increase his exposure because he has the chance to become the leader of this team on the court. AW will also now have the chance to develop his body,without stressing it out, to an NBA body which is different then a college player and a year of maturity will never hurt anyone.

I for one believe he made the correct decision for himself, his long-term health and team. The team. with the additions coming in, will just be ridiculous. Recruiting wise I say we should pick up the best shooter we can from the next two classes but I would not turn down a real 5 either. A player that can play with his back to the basket and clear out rebounds like they are going out of style. I really like the depth that JL is building and I'd say the practices should be quite competitive the next few years.

[Da Coach]

Agreed- when it comes to midmajor college players, and players who were not Top 50 players in high school, then it is almost unheard of for them to jump to the NBA without playing 4 years in college. Especially if there was a major injury involved during their last 1 or 2 years in college.
So I think AW's development would have been set back a lot by spending the rest of this year, and a whole year out of his career, trying to come back from this injury. It would have been great to have him this year, but if considered in terms of what's best for him, he and his family made the right decision.

[houstontxbrave]

I could not disagree with you more with your assessment here. I know that NBA executives are known to take a flier on potential and that is why you saw them take players right after HS. AW though will be a different matter because he will now have 2 full years left to build up his resume which to this point has been very decent but not great. The team's success the next two years will only increase his exposure because he has the chance to become the leader of this team on the court. AW will also now have the chance to develop his body,without stressing it out, to an NBA body which is different then a college player and a year of maturity will never hurt anyone.

I for one believe he made the correct decision for himself, his long-term health and team. The team. with the additions coming in, will just be ridiculous. Recruiting wise I say we should pick up the best shooter we can from the next two classes but I would not turn down a real 5 either. A player that can play with his back to the basket and clear out rebounds like they are going out of style. I really like the depth that JL is building and I'd say the practices should be quite competitive the next few years.

If Warren is good enough to play in the NBA then he will, my belief is he isnt, but that is my belief.

I think NBA people like to get a guy who is younger who they can mold and develop rather then a guy who by the time he graduates can be in his early 20's have 4 years of college basketball wear and tear on his body and not to mention a past history of injuries.

Also, two additional years of exposure, can also expose flaws. Playing 4/5 years in college is not a great recipe for playing in the NBA.

[houstontxbrave]

Agreed- when it comes to midmajor college players, and players who were not Top 50 players in high school, then it is almost unheard of for them to jump to the NBA without playing 4 years in college. Especially if there was a major injury involved during their last 1 or 2 years in college.
So I think AW's development would have been set back a lot by spending the rest of this year, and a whole year out of his career, trying to come back from this injury. It would have been great to have him this year, but if considered in terms of what's best for him, he and his family made the right decision.

Not to start to much about this whole thing but how many actual mid major college players end up getting drafted yearly regardless of whether they stay 1,2,3, or 4 years?

My guess is there probably are less then 5 a year on average who even get drafted. Most mid major players end up stick on an NBA roster as a free agent not through the draft.

[SFP]

An extra year will only help him get ready to impress the scouts to get an invite to the NBA summer camps. He will have time to add the strength needed to compete at this level which I believe he did not posses last year and was going to take all 4 years for him to get there. The extra year will only help him obtain the stamina that may just put him in position to get there. He has all the tools to be an NBA shooting guard,he can shoot, is athletic, silky smooth, plays good D, has long arms and has decent height. I was just waiting to see if he could sustain his game for the whole game and not disappear for stretches like last year. That to me was the only thing missing and that had to do more with mental and physical maturity which I believe he was going to highlight this year that he could play with intensity for the whole game. One extra year will only help.

[Dubl R 1]

If Warren is good enough to play in the NBA then he will, my belief is he isnt, but that is my belief.

I think NBA people like to get a guy who is younger who they can mold and develop rather then a guy who by the time he graduates can be in his early 20's have 4 years of college basketball wear and tear on his body and not to mention a past history of injuries.

Also, two additional years of exposure, can also expose flaws. Playing 4/5 years in college is not a great recipe for playing in the NBA.

The wear and tear of college ball is nothing compared to the NBA. 4 years of college ball would result in roughly 130+ plus games. 1 year alone in the NBA with a decent run in the playoffs could take you over 100 games played. I don't think that is as big a concern as overall age of the player.

[houstontxbrave]

The wear and tear of college ball is nothing compared to the NBA. 4 years of college ball would result in roughly 130+ plus games. 1 year alone in the NBA with a decent run in the playoffs could take you over 100 games played. I don't think that is as big a concern as overall age of the player.

Ok is obvious I think differently then others when it comes to time in college as a factor for drafting in the NBA.

But if an NBA GM had the choice between a 23 1/2 college player who has played 4 years of college basketbal and a 19 year old with one year... if skill level is equal I bet that the GM will draft that 19 year old.

Warren will be 23 1/2 at the end of the 11 season. That is old by NBA standards.

[ER3]

No offense to Andrew, but I think it is highly unlikely that he going to get picked in the NBA draft...

He will be an outstanding college player and will have numerous opportunities to continue his playing career overseas if he wants to...but the NBA is a whole other animal...and I think Andrew's athleticism (like Jeremy Crouch) is just a tick below what would be needed to make him an NBA draft pick.

[shaunguth]

thats a good point....with AW here for 2 more years does that change the recruiting for next season? What if another Big wants to come here? Interesting

I am still of the opinion that we don't have to use the final scholarship for next season unless we're able to get one of THE players we are REALLY wanting/needing, especially if JW gets cleared to become a Brave. If we do fill that final 2009 scholarship, that will give us four players in the 2013 graduating class and leave us with just one scholarship player for the 2010 recruiting class. I would certainly not be opposed to giving the remaining 2009 scholarship to Ryan Phillips.