Projected #1 NBA Draft pick says he may stay in college

[tornado]

Kansas' Joel Embiid is having a great season and causing a lot of experts to project him as the 2014 #1 NBA Draft pick...
but here's an article saying he might stay one more year at Kansas --

I would be astounded if he did - if you are projected as the #1 pick - then you literally have EVERYTHING to lose if you stay another year..

http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/ncaa/72137/kansas-joel-embiid-is-not-sure-that-he-is-ready-for-nba-lifestyle.html

[Da Coach]

Another possible top pick, Duke's Jabari Parker, is also reportedly considering staying in college for another year-

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2014/01/nba-executives-reportedly-think-jabari-parker-staying-at-duke/

Personally, I think they will both end up in this year's draft.

[Skut Farcus]

Kansas' Joel Embiid is having a great season and causing a lot of experts to project him as the 2014 #1 NBA Draft pick...
but here's an article saying he might stay one more year at Kansas --

I would be astounded if he did - if you are projected as the #1 pick - then you literally have EVERYTHING to lose if you stay another year..
http://www.sportando.net/eng/usa/nca...lifestyle.html

What about a degree?

[SubGod22]

While I doubt either stay, I don't think it would really hurt them unless a major injury takes place. In the case of Imbiid, he's still learning the game as he's only been playing a couple of years. He could polish up some of his post work and still be the top pick next year but perhaps be more able to make an impact in the NBA as opposed to spending much of his rookie year learning and adapting.

That's all speculation as I haven't seen him play much, but I could see the benefits for someone like him over guys like Parker or Wiggins. Although I think they could all learn a bit more in college and polish up their game some.

[Da Coach]

What about a degree?

These guys will soon be making tens of millions of dollars.
Who needs a degree when they can make that kind of money?

[Skut Farcus]

These guys will soon be making tens of millions of dollars.
Who needs a degree when they can make that kind of money?

What if they have a career ending injury in their first game?

[Nacho]

What about a degree?

These guys will soon be making tens of millions of dollars.
Who needs a degree when they can make that kind of money?

Staying for one more year gets them both to year 2... they won't be getting a degree in two years...

[BuB]

Some may want to stay in college and have some success and develop. Plus with more and more Euro players coming into the league lots of U.S. players get pushed down to slots that don't have guaranteed contracts.

Has anyone checked out how many high draft picks from last year are doing? Maybe one of the worst drafts ever. When was the last overall #1 pick who s*cked as much as Anthony Bennett of the Cavaliers? Almost all of these top 14 of 20 picks have had numerous DNP coaches decisions. Here is who has been a disappointment, miss or up and down from the D-League include:

#1 Anthony Bennett 10 mpg 2ppg 2rpg
#3 Otto Porter, Jr. 19 games 9mpg 1.8ppg 1rpg
#4 Cody Zeller 16mpg 5ppg 3rpg
#5 Alex Len 12 games 7mpg 2ppg 2rpg
#6 Nerlens Noel blown acl will miss entire season- could be good
#8 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 25mpg 7ppg .9apg
#10 C.J. McCollum D-League call up 8 games 2.8mpg .9ppg .2apg
#12 Steven Adams 15mpg 4ppg 4rpg
#14 Shabazz Muhammad D-League call up 12 games 4mpg 1ppg .8rpg
#16 Lucas Nogueira Playing in Spain....missed many games-bad knees
#17 Dennis Schroeder D-League call up 16 games 12mpg 3ppg 2apg
#18 Shane Larkin 13mpg 3.9ppg 1.9apg
#19 Sergey Karasev D-League call up 17 games 8mpg 1.9ppg .3apg
#20 Tony Snell As good as any above....19 mpg 5.9ppg 1.9rpg


Those getting minutes, contributing, and living up to their draft position include:

#2 Victor Oladipo 31mpg 13.5ppg 4.3rpg 3.8apg
#7 Ben McLemore 24mpg 7.8ppg .9apg b
#9 Trey Burke 31mpg 13.7ppg 3.2rpg 5.7apg
#11 Michael Carter-Williams ROY? 34.6mpg 17.5ppg 5.7rpg 6.7apg
#13 Kelly Olynyk Playing on a bad team 18.7mpg 6.9ppg 4.4rpg
#15 Giannis Antetokounmpo 19 yr old potential stud Biggest Steal? 23.2mpg 7.1ppg 4.7rpg

[tornado]

What if they have a career ending injury in their first game?

that could happen any time and anywhere - but if it happens AFTER you are drafted and signed as a lottery pick, then at least you are paid roughly $5 mil even if you never play again.
If it happens after you decide to spend one more year at college, then you may lose out on MILLIONS in the pros...

As predicted - Joel Embiid has told NBA people he is going to declare for the draft - so much for those reports that it was a smart decision if he stayed in college


Clay Holloway is just one example of a kid who had a career ending injury before he could get drafted -
Ironically - as a 7-footer high school phenom, he did declare for the 2006 NBA Draft but withdrew his name and changed his mind - going to Louisville.
He was projected as a lottery pick but his career ended due to a medical issue right before he could go pro.
Had he chosen to go pro right out of HS - he'd have at least made some $$.

http://www.cardchronicle.com/2008/5/29/541855/clarence-holloway-s-basket