Is it time to be concerned about Briscoe? I didn't expect his situation to drag out this long.
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He'll probably go right to the deadline, which is May 25th. Think he had nine workouts and I'd assume he's still in the process of going through them.
The only concern I have is if they're okay with a second-round promise. You've seen some of that with underclassmen so far: guys who say they'd be fine being drafted in the second round. Melo Trimble was one of those guys.
Briscoe could maybe get that sort of deal very late in the draft. Maybe. But other than that I can't imagine a guy who didn't get a combine invite being comfortable with his draftability.Comment
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Adam Zagoria says that Briscoe is still weighing options and has until the 25th.
Would assume they'll at least take the weekend to decide, but would love to hear something sooner rather than at the last minute.
This decision is (much) bigger than Bolden.Comment
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I have a feeling neither Briscoe nor Lee are coming back. We all know Lee's story, but recent comments from Briscoe's dad weren't encouraging at all.Comment
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^ I don't think they will be back either. Briscoe will probably be drafted in the 2nd round and it sounds like they may be happy with that. Lee knows he is not going to play as much next season and will not help him any for next years draft. So why not ?, in his mind. He already may have in mind to try Europe or the NDBL. I don't rememner who it was but someone I read early on said the longer these kids keep their name in the ring the more likely they will keep it there. I believe that goes for these two.Kentucky fan since 1971.Comment
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I think that's right. Going to be a lot of struggles early in the season as those freshman get broke into the college game. Next year could be a lot like last year in the end. Ulis leaving was devastating for the 16-17 teams chances of winning a title IMO. It will still be a good year but I highly doubt a national title will be at the end of the season.Kentucky fan since 1971.Comment
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In Briscoe's case, with all the travelling he has been doing to work out for various teams, I wonder what his academic standing is. In short, I wonder if he hasn't already burnt some bridges.Comment
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The only comment I have is that if a player, any player, comes back because he feels he has no choice, I doubt that it will work out well for either UK or the player.Philippians 4:11-4:13Comment
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I agree.
With that said I really think Briscoe can improve more with another year of college and will have ample opportunity to prove that week in and week out on national television. I just really don't see Lee playing much, unless he improves many aspects of his game, which we all hope he does.Comment
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When you go through the pre-draft stuff and come back, it doesn't necessarily mean that you had no other choice. There's always another choice: D-League, Europe, transferring, whatever. But by going through this stuff they're trying to get a read on what kind of player he is and if he has a shot at the NBA. I'd do the exact same with my son.
That's what the process is there for. It's the intent and purpose of it. If they have these workouts scheduled then they should go through them and see what the feedback is.
That feedback isn't only meant to gauge where the player is w/r/t the NBA; it also helps him as a college player. It gives him a bar to ascend to, lets him know what he needs to work on, etc.Comment
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And I'd be willing to bet that it's a major struggle for some of these players to make it through just one year of college. I'd say having to come back for a second year is a huge disappointment for most.Philippians 4:11-4:13Comment
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I think most probably wouldn't be in college if given the choice, but I'd also say most of these guys can hold two thoughts in their heads.
One, they want to be an NBA player more than anything. And two, playing at Kentucky (and Duke, Kansas, and all of these big-time schools) is incredible.
The Briscoe family knows the deal way more than us. They know his game and where he fits. They know he isn't likely a draft pick unless he gets very lucky, but I think the workouts are designed to see how far he has to go and if they can get a team who will make a promise late in the draft.
If he has to return it's not like he's going to come back deflated and broken. We've had a bunch of players think about going but come back who've had big sophomore years: Lamb, Jones, Dakari, the twins, Ulis. Twenty-year-olds who are alpha dog athletes don't generally wear disappointment around like a yoke.Comment
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WCS is another player who returned--twice--after putting out NBA feelers.
I think Cal bases this whole thing on NBA transparency. He brings them in on this idea that they're phenoms who should be able to capitalize on their talent, and then he steps away and lets them make the decision. Some fans hate that, but it's the reality of the situation.
That transparency allows in mistakes: Teague, Dakari. But I don't think Briscoe is going to be shattered and bedraggled if he comes back. That doesn't seem to fit with his persona. If it's a business, then you respond to it like a business.Comment
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