2018 NBA Draft Entries

[George]

It's that time of year. Let's discuss early entries (and seniors) here.

Trae Young, Deandre Ayton, Allonzo Trier and Jalen McDaniels have already thrown their names into the hat. With top programs bowing out of the tournament at a remarkable clip, I'd say we'll hear from other big names sooner rather than later.

[40bill]

I would say UK loses three at the very least to the NBA.
Duke could lose four (since Allen is apparently a seventh year senior finally) off their starters.

[George]

I would say UK loses three at the very least to the NBA.
Duke could lose four (since Allen is apparently a seventh year senior finally) off their starters.

I'll be surprised if we keep any one of SGA/Knox/Diallo.

[Joneslab]

If that was the real Diallo we saw Saturday he could be drafted and maybe make a team. It will still be tough for him but some of that was pretty jaw-dropping. He was rebounding balls over the square.

For the first time since the first 10 games or so I saw a player that could maybe hold his own in the NBA. The problem is the reputation is already on him as a (very, very) bad shooter--and possibly also as a guy with some work ethic issues. So unless there's some kind of fluke he probably won't get into the first round. The question would be if he returns to UK could he improve his shot to the point where he begins to shake that reputation.

[George]

I have no evidence to back this up, but I've always been of the belief that his feelings toward college ball are very Briscoe-like. Just get the impression that he'll go somewhere, even if it isn't the NBA.

[Lighthouse]

I have no evidence to back this up, but I've always been of the belief that his feelings toward college ball are very Briscoe-like. Just get the impression that he'll go somewhere, even if it isn't the NBA.

I agree with you. I don't think Diallo will be at Kentucky next year.

[KevinHall]

Per Twitter, Bamba goes pro. Not exactly earth shattering news.

[BobS]

My prediction. ....Knox, SGA and Diallo 100% gone. Gabriel 60% gone and Vanderbilt will test the water. Cal's best recruiting job would be to hold on to those last 2.

​​​​​No surprises on the entries so far.

[George]

Where’s Gabriel going to go?

Overseas money isn’t going to support him and his family. It’s usually a modest living for the players on their own.

[Joneslab]

Wenyen is the rare player who could really help himself by working on his ballhandling skills. If he could become a terror going to the basket he could be a really interesting player.

His athleticism is obviously never going to be more than average, so there is probably a cap on his NBA marketability. But I think he could work himself up to where he's a first-rounder.

But it's obviously a risk. He could keep playing and see his stock keep going down as other guys pass him. It's that old truism: college basketball doesn't help a whole lot of these guys.

Wenyen, PJ, Green, and Vanderbilt would form the backbone of a really interesting team. (Not sure about Richards.) I hope we can return all four.

[BobS]

Where’s Gabriel going to go?

Overseas money isn’t going to support him and his family. It’s usually a modest living for the players on their own.

They pay Humphries nearly a million per year. Briscoe makes medium 6 figures.
There is $$ out there. If he continues to play well, he will get a look. If his family is as desperate as reported, it's not that far fetched that he would explore opportunities.

But we need he and Vanderbilt back to have a potential great team.

[George]

They pay Humphries nearly a million per year. Briscoe makes medium 6 figures.
There is $$ out there. If he continues to play well, he will get a look. If his family is as desperate as reported, it's not that far fetched that he would explore opportunities.

But we need he and Vanderbilt back to have a potential great team.

I’d only heard stories of disappointment wrt overseas salaries. Good for them.

[George]

Wenyen is the rare player who could really help himself by working on his ballhandling skills. If he could become a terror going to the basket he could be a really interesting player.

His athleticism is obviously never going to be more than average, so there is probably a cap on his NBA marketability. But I think he could work himself up to where he's a first-rounder.

But it's obviously a risk. He could keep playing and see his stock keep going down as other guys pass him. It's that old truism: college basketball doesn't help a whole lot of these guys.

Wenyen, PJ, Green, and Vanderbilt would form the backbone of a really interesting team. (Not sure about Richards.) I hope we can return all four.

Why do you say “not sure about Richards”? You think he’ll leave, or still won’t be ready to contribute?

[Joneslab]

Why do you say “not sure about Richards”? You think he’ll leave, or still won’t be ready to contribute?

He isn't leaving unless he transfers, but I'm just making a comment about how far he is behind.

His confidence and how obviously down on himself he gets worries me a little. I don't even think Willie and these guys who are obviously projects as freshmen had such issues with confidence.

And then you add in the instincts he clearly lacks and you've just got a player who's an enigma. I can't tell if he'll ever contribute at a high level.

[Catsrock]

I say he will eventually. He could get to a Marvin Stone level in time. As in upper classman time.