Who Stays Who Goes?

[Lighthouse]

Here's my thoughts on the questions and comments. First, none of us know anything about what these kids are thinking and we can only post our opinions, which are never guarantees. Some post strong stuff and if they're wrong, they just disappear for awhile.

The only for sure player who is gone is Travis. I'm gonna miss him. For the most part, PJ is also. The rest is up in the air at this point. I remember last year there was strong talk about Richards putting his name in the draft or transferring, but he said he was happy at UK and wanted to be here. Johnson and Herro would be "get paid as you learn" NBA players if they left, and with what happened to PJ just might entice them to go the same route.

I do enjoy reading everyone's opinions and reasons for why they think players should go or stay.

[Dwight Schrute]

Big body. Strong. Plays with intensity. Cares about the game. Good teammate. Decent shooter for his size. Versatile. Young.

I wouldn't put Johnson quite on the level with Kevin Knox because of Knox's length, but people said Knox would be in the D-League as well.

I think Johnson would be okay if he jumped now but the question is could he make a leap up into the lottery if he stayed another year. We all think staying in college automatically helps these guys but you can look around and that's often not the case.

It seems like if you're a PJ type of player where you have the athleticism and need work on certain aspects, coming back can be a good move. But Tyler's getting the most out of his body, and what's he gonna work on in college that'll push him higher?

Keldon has a lot of skill to work on and has the body size that could push him into an elite level player.

[justford]

Think of the players that have left early that were as good if not better than Johnson. They would now be a episode of "Where Are They Now". At this point KJ is (in my opinion) just not ready. My opinion of course is worth nothing.

[Dwight Schrute]

Very few of the guys going out are 'ready'. The only near-certain star at this point seems to be Zion. RJ and Cam Reddish will probably be pretty successful, but they aren't certain.

The question for KJ is whether or not he has a plan for what he can improve on in college and whether there's room for improvement here.

[J.Jennings]

Forget about who stays or who goes, here's what i want to know. When are we going to put together a team that will come out and and knock you out if you don't defend us? Let's be honest, playing Wofford and Auburn scared the crap out of me, it was OMG i hope they are not hitting shots because if they do they will blow us out of the gym, our offense year in and year out just can't compete with that. Villanova has won a title with shooters and a potent offense, other teams now a days have seemed to adopt that run and gun 3 point approach but not us. In my opinion, we invented the game of the up and down 3 point style of play but what happened, this is why many still respect Rick and what he did at Kentucky, it was fun to watch basketball and with a high potent offense, not no more,. all we get year in and year out is a freshman point guard who can't shoot showcasing for the NBA, at least it feels that way to me.

[lilproUK98]

As I said last week, PJ, Keldon, and Tyler go. Ashton is a toss-up, and one of Baker or Quickley possibly transfer.

[lilproUK98]

Forget about who stays or who goes, here's what i want to know. When are we going to put together a team that will come out and and knock you out if you don't defend us? Let's be honest, playing Wofford and Auburn scared the crap out of me, it was OMG i hope they are not hitting shots because if they do they will blow us out of the gym, our offense year in and year out just can't compete with that. Villanova has won a title with shooters and a potent offense, other teams now a days have seemed to adopt that run and gun 3 point approach but not us. In my opinion, we invented the game of the up and down 3 point style of play but what happened, this is why many still respect Rick and what he did at Kentucky, it was fun to watch basketball and with a high potent offense, not no more,. all we get year in and year out is a freshman point guard who can't shoot showcasing for the NBA, at least it feels that way to me.

We had a pretty potent offense until Ashton started to struggle, then Reid got hurt, and then PJ. We were averaging 80 per game, most in Cal's tenure up until mid February....

[TrueblueCATfan]

only 1 that should be gone is PJ....IMO

would love to see Keldon and Tyler come back

I think EJ and Nick are back as well as Quickley

[J.Jennings]

Big body. Strong. Plays with intensity. Cares about the game. Good teammate. Decent shooter for his size. Versatile. Young.

I wouldn't put Johnson quite on the level with Kevin Knox because of Knox's length, but people said Knox would be in the D-League as well.

I think Johnson would be okay if he jumped now but the question is could he make a leap up into the lottery if he stayed another year. We all think staying in college automatically helps these guys but you can look around and that's often not the case.

Remember how it used to be in college basketball when you would come to college, sit a year or two and then get your turn? It used to be like that in the NBA but now if you are not a playoff team, your not sitting no more, young players are getting PT over veterans, teams want to see what they have and how they react before they invest again on that second contract. The Knicks let Knox play this year and though he did go through a tough stretch, they let him play through it and he showed his value to the team moving foward, he's a piece they can build around. Look at Tre Young, Hawks gave him the keys told him to drive it young man, same with Fox and Bagley in Sacramento, many of these teams are putting more and more value on younger players now a days, especially those who can spread the floor and shoot...

Anyways, i hate to see Johnson go but he has too, he should end up being a good player. Also note that alot of college kids are actually better suited for the NBA game and how the floor is spread, some really shine more pro than they do in college, Johnson will play next level...

[Dwight Schrute]

None of the three who are questionable are going to play much in the NBA. They may all get drafted but they're not going to play much. It's going to come down to whether they want to play for the Maine Red Claws or for the Kentucky Wildcats.

[JFCats22]

FYI in case you forgot or didn't know about this rule change this year.


Matt Jones@KySportsRadio
Reminder on players that declare for NBA Draft....they can now hire an Agent and STILL return to College after going through process So most will probably hire Agents now...but they may still return either way

[Dwight Schrute]

I didn't know that, thanks for the heads up.

Did the rule get adopted that allows undrafted players to return to college?

[JFCats22]

I didn't know that, thanks for the heads up.

Did the rule get adopted that allows undrafted players to return to college?

No, they still have to withdraw before the deadline date. Cannot go through draft process and then return.

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/24320401/ncaa-announces-new-college-basketball-policy-including-agents-players-longer-postseason-bans

Withdraw deadline this year is May 29

[justford]

FYI in case you forgot or didn't know about this rule change this year.


Matt Jones@KySportsRadio
Reminder on players that declare for NBA Draft....they can now hire an Agent and STILL return to College after going through process So most will probably hire Agents now...but they may still return either way

So now the agent they hire may also be in their ear encouraging them to go?? Is this a good or bad thing? I wonder how long the agent they hire stays their agent? For instance if the player decides to return to college is the agent released until needed again?

[TrueblueCATfan]

I don't think Nick will transfer.....His girlfriend will be a senior on the Volleyball team next year

i hope none of them transfer