Looked at the next two NBA mock drafts to see how it might impact the Pac12 next season. Basically almost no players will leave for the draft after the current season. That means that players like Boogie the PG from USC, the irratating Drew Peterson of USC, Campbell the PG from UCLA, Carlson the C from Utah, and Mouhamed Gueye the PF/C from Washington State (projected in 2024 draft) are likely to return to the Pac12 (assuming they don't transfer)

Also, Cal was NOT a young team. In fact, they were probably the 2nd most veteran team behind Utah.

Of course the transfer portal can change everything in a heartbeat

2023 Mock Draft per NBADRAFT.net

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

First Round: Only AZ's PF Tubelis

Second Round: Only UCLA's SF Jacquez


2024 Mock Draft per espn

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

First Round:

5. Isaiah Collier - committed to USC - 6*4 PG

9 - Kwame Evans - committed to Oregon - 6-9 PF

20 - Mouhamed Gueye - Washington State - 6-10 PF/C

25 - Kylan Boswell - AZ PG - didn't even notice him when playing Cal (played 3 minutes in first game, and 20 minutes in second game scoring 10 total points on 3-9 shooting

Second Round:

42 - Amari Bailey - UCLA - SG

59 - Tristan da Silva - Colorado - PF

HoopDreams said:

---

Looked at the next two NBA mock drafts to see how it might impact the Pac12 next season. Basically almost no players will leave for the draft after the current season. That means that players like Boogie the PG from USC, the irratating Drew Peterson of USC, Campbell the PG from UCLA, Carlson the C from Utah, and Mouhamed Gueye the PF/C from Washington State (projected in 2024 draft) are likely to return to the Pac12 (assuming they don't transfer)

Also, Cal was NOT a young team. In fact, they were probably the 2nd most veteran team behind Utah.

Of course the transfer portal can change everything in a heartbeat

2023 Mock Draft per NBADRAFT.net

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

First Round: Only AZ's PF Tubelis

Second Round: Only UCLA's SF Jacquez


2024 Mock Draft per espn

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

First Round:

5. Isaiah Collier - committed to USC - 6*4 PG

9 - Kwame Evans - committed to Oregon - 6-9 PF

20 - Mouhamed Gueye - Washington State - 6-10 PF/C

25 - Kylan Boswell - AZ PG - didn't even notice him when playing Cal (played 3 minutes in first game, and 20 minutes in second game scoring 10 total points on 3-9 shooting

Second Round:

42 - Amari Bailey - UCLA - SG

59 - Tristan da Silva - Colorado - PF

---

Hard to take these mock drafts seriously when they don't include Lars! Just click bait!

HoopDreams said:

---

Looked at the next two NBA mock drafts to see how it might impact the Pac12 next season. Basically almost no players will leave for the draft after the current season. That means that players like Boogie the PG from USC, the irratating Drew Peterson of USC, Campbell the PG from UCLA, Carlson the C from Utah, and Mouhamed Gueye the PF/C from Washington State (projected in 2024 draft) are likely to return to the Pac12 (assuming they don't transfer)

Also, Cal was NOT a young team. In fact, they were probably the 2nd most veteran team behind Utah.

Of course the transfer portal can change everything in a heartbeat

2023 Mock Draft per NBADRAFT.net

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

First Round: Only AZ's PF Tubelis

Second Round: Only UCLA's SF Jacquez


2024 Mock Draft per espn

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

First Round:

5. Isaiah Collier - committed to USC - 6*4 PG

9 - Kwame Evans - committed to Oregon - 6-9 PF

20 - Mouhamed Gueye - Washington State - 6-10 PF/C

25 - Kylan Boswell - AZ PG - didn't even notice him when playing Cal (played 3 minutes in first game, and 20 minutes in second game scoring 10 total points on 3-9 shooting

Second Round:

42 - Amari Bailey - UCLA - SG

59 - Tristan da Silva - Colorado - PF

---

I don't think this means what you think it means. I looked at the Ringer mock draft (https://nbadraft.theringer.com/) and the first round for the coming draft includes only one junior and one senior. So basically, if you are not drafted in the first round by the time you are a sophomore, you will never be drafted in the first round. These days second round picks get two way deals, maybe, so there is no advantage to be a second round pick over being a free agent. So there is nothing for good veterans to wait around for, unless they like being in college. If they really want to play in the NBA best to get to the G League where the style of play is more similar to the NBA than college ball is. Or to go to another country and make a living.

You might be right

Another dynamic is with NIL some players can make more money playing for their school than playing pro overseas, and of course they don't have to move overseas, can continue their education and remain on the nba radar

So these players might stick in college longer than before

sluggo said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Looked at the next two NBA mock drafts to see how it might impact the Pac12 next season. Basically almost no players will leave for the draft after the current season. That means that players like Boogie the PG from USC, the irratating Drew Peterson of USC, Campbell the PG from UCLA, Carlson the C from Utah, and Mouhamed Gueye the PF/C from Washington State (projected in 2024 draft) are likely to return to the Pac12 (assuming they don't transfer)

Also, Cal was NOT a young team. In fact, they were probably the 2nd most veteran team behind Utah.

Of course the transfer portal can change everything in a heartbeat

2023 Mock Draft per NBADRAFT.net

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

First Round: Only AZ's PF Tubelis

Second Round: Only UCLA's SF Jacquez


2024 Mock Draft per espn

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

First Round:

5. Isaiah Collier - committed to USC - 6*4 PG

9 - Kwame Evans - committed to Oregon - 6-9 PF

20 - Mouhamed Gueye - Washington State - 6-10 PF/C

25 - Kylan Boswell - AZ PG - didn't even notice him when playing Cal (played 3 minutes in first game, and 20 minutes in second game scoring 10 total points on 3-9 shooting

Second Round:

42 - Amari Bailey - UCLA - SG

59 - Tristan da Silva - Colorado - PF

---

I don't think this means what you think it means. I looked at the Ringer mock draft (https://nbadraft.theringer.com/) and the first round for the coming draft includes only one junior and one senior. So basically, if you are not drafted in the first round by the time you are a sophomore, you will never be drafted in the first round. These days second round picks get two way deals, maybe, so there is no advantage to be a second round pick over being a free agent. So there is nothing for good veterans to wait around for, unless they like being in college. If they really want to play in the NBA best to get to the G League where the style of play is more similar to the NBA than college ball is. Or to go to another country and make a living.

---

You're overstating it Though the NBA draft is skewed toward youth Davion Mitchell was drafted No. 9 as a junior in the 2021 draft. Chris Duarte was drafted No. 13 the same year after four years of college. That's just off the top of my head. It does become tougher for upperclassmen, but even your description of the mock draft contradicts your statement that you can't get drafted in the first round as an upperclassman. As for second rounders, 10 of the players drafted in the second round this past year signed full NBA contracts for 2-4 years. Some of them are starting as first-year NBA players.

That said, there's certainly less reason to stick around than ever though I wouldn't say the G-League is a better route than college once you're an upperclassman. Less visibility and no team has a vested interest in you if you haven't been drafted.

Since this is an NBA thread and all….



"Damian Lillard exploded for 71 points in the Trail Blazers' 131-114 win over the Rockets on Sunday night.

Why it matters: He's just the eighth NBA player to score at least 70 points in a game and tied Donovan Mitchell's mark from less than two months ago, making this the first time in NBA history multiple players have had 70-point games in the same season.

100 points: Wilt Chamberlain (March 1962)
81: Kobe Bryant (January 2006)
78: Chamberlain (December 1961)
73: David Thompson (April 1978); Chamberlain (January 1962, November 1962)
72: Chamberlain (November 1962)
71: Lillard (last night); Mitchell (January 2023); David Robinson (April 1994); Elgin Baylor (November 1960)
70: Devin Booker (March 2017); Chamberlain (March 1963)

By the numbers: Lillard shot 22-38 from the field, 13-22 from three and a perfect 14-14 from the line. He also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists, turning the ball over just twice.

It was his fifth career 60-point game, breaking a tie with Michael Jordan and James Harden for third-most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain (32) and Kobe Bryant (6).

He's just the fourth player to hit at least 13 threes in a game, matching Steph Curry and Zach LaVine and falling one shy of Klay Thompson's record of 14.

He's the first player to score 70 points in fewer than 40 minutes (39).

The backdrop: Even for one of the most prolific scorers in the league, Dame's recent hot streak has been otherworldly: He's averaging 39.4 points in his last 19 games, and this is his second 60-point effort in the past month."
-Axios

bearister said:

---

Since this is an NBA thread and all….



"Damian Lillard exploded for 71 points in the Trail Blazers' 131-114 win over the Rockets on Sunday night.

Why it matters: He's just the eighth NBA player to score at least 70 points in a game and tied Donovan Mitchell's mark from less than two months ago, making this the first time in NBA history multiple players have had 70-point games in the same season.

100 points: Wilt Chamberlain (March 1962)
81: Kobe Bryant (January 2006)
78: Chamberlain (December 1961)
73: David Thompson (April 1978); Chamberlain (January 1962, November 1962)
72: Chamberlain (November 1962)
71: Lillard (last night); Mitchell (January 2023); David Robinson (April 1994); Elgin Baylor (November 1960)
70: Devin Booker (March 2017); Chamberlain (March 1963)

By the numbers: Lillard shot 22-38 from the field, 13-22 from three and a perfect 14-14 from the line. He also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists, turning the ball over just twice.

It was his fifth career 60-point game, breaking a tie with Michael Jordan and James Harden for third-most in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain (32) and Kobe Bryant (6).

He's just the fourth player to hit at least 13 threes in a game, matching Steph Curry and Zach LaVine and falling one shy of Klay Thompson's record of 14.

He's the first player to score 70 points in fewer than 40 minutes (39).

The backdrop: Even for one of the most prolific scorers in the league, Dame's recent hot streak has been otherworldly: He's averaging 39.4 points in his last 19 games, and this is his second 60-point effort in the past month."
-Axios

---

crazy. it's hard to imagine how any player can score 70 points in one game, except for perhaps a center who has a complete mismatch on defense ... dunk, dunk, dunk ...

what was the story behind why he didn't come to Cal?

Most points scored in an NBA game by an Oakland native:
Damian Lillard 71 points
Cliff Robinson 45 points
Gary Payton 44 points
Jason Kidd 43 points
J.R. Rider 42 points
Joe Ellis 38 points
Bill Russell 37 points
Drew Gooden 33 points
Jim Pollard 32 points
Brian Shaw 32 points pic.twitter.com/9m6zixHQGD

— Jeff Faraudo (@JeffFaraudo) February 27, 2023

Why didn't Cal offer Klay Thompson, Brent Barry, etc., etc. etc. The first 2 minutes I observed Klay and Brent play against Cal as freshman I had the identical thought: "Gee, tall, good handles and a nice 3 ball. That's a pro right there."

bearister said:

---

Why didn't Cal offer Klay Thompson, Brent Barry, etc., etc. etc. The first 2 minutes I observed Klay and Brent play against Cal as freshman I had the identical thought: "Gee, tall, good handles and a nice 3 ball. That's a pro right there."

---

Don't know. Did they live in the Bay Area?

HoopDreams said:

---

bearister said:

---

Why didn't Cal offer Klay Thompson, Brent Barry, etc., etc. etc. The first 2 minutes I observed Klay and Brent play against Cal as freshman I had the identical thought: "Gee, tall, good handles and a nice 3 ball. That's a pro right there."

---

Don't know. Did they live in the Bay Area?

---

Why is that relevant? When those two players were in college Cal had a better program than Washington State or Oregon State. Klay played HS ball in SoCal and Brent played HS ball at DLS.

Every program miss players every year

But I just commented on a player who lived 15 minutes from campus

If you want to ask a question about other players we missed on that are from California go for it

bearister said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

bearister said:

---

Why didn't Cal offer Klay Thompson, Brent Barry, etc., etc. etc. The first 2 minutes I observed Klay and Brent play against Cal as freshman I had the identical thought: "Gee, tall, good handles and a nice 3 ball. That's a pro right there."

---

Don't know. Did they live in the Bay Area?

---

Why is that relevant? When those two players were in college Cal had a better program than Washington State or Oregon State. Klay played HS ball in SoCal and Brent played HS ball at DLS.

---

Lillard went to Oakland High, right? The first time I ever heard of him was his last year in college, when he played at Haas vs. Jorge. So maybe he was a late developer or didn't have the academics in high school.

Big C said:

---

Lillard went to Oakland High, right? The first time I ever heard of him was his last year in college, when he played at Haas vs. Jorge. So maybe he was a late developer or didn't have the academics in high school.

---

I remember hearing that he was a late bloomer, and this is confirmed by Wikipedia. He was 5'5'' as a freshman and then transferred in and out of St. Joe's because he could not get playing time. I think he got late notice but stayed true to Weber State as they were on him early. Wikipedia also says he wanted to get away from Oakland.

sluggo said:

---

Big C said:

---

Lillard went to Oakland High, right? The first time I ever heard of him was his last year in college, when he played at Haas vs. Jorge. So maybe he was a late developer or didn't have the academics in high school.

---

I remember hearing that he was a late bloomer, and this is confirmed by Wikipedia. He was 5'5'' as a freshman and then transferred in and out of St. Joe's because he could not get playing time. I think he got late notice but stayed true to Weber State as they were on him early. Wikipedia also says he wanted to get away from Oakland.

---

interesting. thanks for the sleuthing

HoopDreams said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Big C said:

---

Lillard went to Oakland High, right? The first time I ever heard of him was his last year in college, when he played at Haas vs. Jorge. So maybe he was a late developer or didn't have the academics in high school.

---

I remember hearing that he was a late bloomer, and this is confirmed by Wikipedia. He was 5'5'' as a freshman and then transferred in and out of St. Joe's because he could not get playing time. I think he got late notice but stayed true to Weber State as they were on him early. Wikipedia also says he wanted to get away from Oakland.

---

interesting. thanks for the sleuthing

---

Nobody walked out of Haas that night thinking that one of the players they just saw on the court was going to go for 70+ points in an NBA game, I can tell you that.

Big C said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Big C said:

---

Lillard went to Oakland High, right? The first time I ever heard of him was his last year in college, when he played at Haas vs. Jorge. So maybe he was a late developer or didn't have the academics in high school.

---

I remember hearing that he was a late bloomer, and this is confirmed by Wikipedia. He was 5'5'' as a freshman and then transferred in and out of St. Joe's because he could not get playing time. I think he got late notice but stayed true to Weber State as they were on him early. Wikipedia also says he wanted to get away from Oakland.

---

interesting. thanks for the sleuthing

---

Nobody walked out of Haas that night thinking that one of the players they just saw on the court was going to go for 70+ points in an NBA game, I can tell you that.

---

True enough. Jorge gave him fits, but I believe he was the second leading scorer in D-1 at the time so clearly he had some ability. I think he'd have gone to Cal if they'd been on him early but pretty much no one was other than Weber State and one other mid-major I can't recall right now.

bluesaxe said:

---

Big C said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Big C said:

---

Lillard went to Oakland High, right? The first time I ever heard of him was his last year in college, when he played at Haas vs. Jorge. So maybe he was a late developer or didn't have the academics in high school.

---

I remember hearing that he was a late bloomer, and this is confirmed by Wikipedia. He was 5'5'' as a freshman and then transferred in and out of St. Joe's because he could not get playing time. I think he got late notice but stayed true to Weber State as they were on him early. Wikipedia also says he wanted to get away from Oakland.

---

interesting. thanks for the sleuthing

---

Nobody walked out of Haas that night thinking that one of the players they just saw on the court was going to go for 70+ points in an NBA game, I can tell you that.

---

True enough. Jorge gave him fits, but I believe he was the second leading scorer in D-1 at the time so clearly he had some ability. I think he'd have gone to Cal if they'd been on him early but pretty much no one was other than Weber State and one other mid-major I can't recall right now.

---

I definitely remember hearing lots of buzz about Damian Lillard before that game, but I had no idea that we were talking about DAMIAN LILLARD!

"Nikola Jokic on Tuesday became the sixth player in NBA history to record 100 career triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook (198)
Oscar Robertson (181)
Magic Johnson (138)
Jason Kidd (107)
LeBron James (106)
Jokic (100)

By the numbers: Jokic, 28, needed 582 games to reach 100 triple-doubles, trailing only Robertson (277 games).

Jokic has 24 triple-doubles this season (including 15 in his last 20 games) and the Nuggets have won all 24 of those contests.

He's currently averaging a triple-double while ranking 19th in points (24.6), third in rebounds (11.7) and fourth in assists (10.0)."
-Axios

bearister said:

---

"Nikola Jokic on Tuesday became the sixth player in NBA history to record 100 career triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook (198)
Oscar Robertson (181)
Magic Johnson (138)
Jason Kidd (107)
LeBron James (106)
Jokic (100)

By the numbers: Jokic, 28, needed 582 games to reach 100 triple-doubles, trailing only Robertson (277 games).

Jokic has 24 triple-doubles this season (including 15 in his last 20 games) and the Nuggets have won all 24 of those contests.

He's currently averaging a triple-double while ranking 19th in points (24.6), third in rebounds (11.7) and fourth in assists (10.0)."
-Axios

---

Did he play in college?

HoopDreams said:

---

bearister said:

---

"Nikola Jokic on Tuesday became the sixth player in NBA history to record 100 career triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook (198)
Oscar Robertson (181)
Magic Johnson (138)
Jason Kidd (107)
LeBron James (106)
Jokic (100)

By the numbers: Jokic, 28, needed 582 games to reach 100 triple-doubles, trailing only Robertson (277 games).

Jokic has 24 triple-doubles this season (including 15 in his last 20 games) and the Nuggets have won all 24 of those contests.

He's currently averaging a triple-double while ranking 19th in points (24.6), third in rebounds (11.7) and fourth in assists (10.0)."
-Axios

---

Did he play in college?

---

Of course not. Like almost all Europeans in the NBA he signed a pro contract at 16 or 17 (he was 17). Wembanyama was 15.

bluesaxe said:

---

sluggo said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Looked at the next two NBA mock drafts to see how it might impact the Pac12 next season. Basically almost no players will leave for the draft after the current season. That means that players like Boogie the PG from USC, the irratating Drew Peterson of USC, Campbell the PG from UCLA, Carlson the C from Utah, and Mouhamed Gueye the PF/C from Washington State (projected in 2024 draft) are likely to return to the Pac12 (assuming they don't transfer)

Also, Cal was NOT a young team. In fact, they were probably the 2nd most veteran team behind Utah.

Of course the transfer portal can change everything in a heartbeat

2023 Mock Draft per NBADRAFT.net

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

First Round: Only AZ's PF Tubelis

Second Round: Only UCLA's SF Jacquez


2024 Mock Draft per espn

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

First Round:

5. Isaiah Collier - committed to USC - 6*4 PG

9 - Kwame Evans - committed to Oregon - 6-9 PF

20 - Mouhamed Gueye - Washington State - 6-10 PF/C

25 - Kylan Boswell - AZ PG - didn't even notice him when playing Cal (played 3 minutes in first game, and 20 minutes in second game scoring 10 total points on 3-9 shooting

Second Round:

42 - Amari Bailey - UCLA - SG

59 - Tristan da Silva - Colorado - PF

---

I don't think this means what you think it means. I looked at the Ringer mock draft (https://nbadraft.theringer.com/) and the first round for the coming draft includes only one junior and one senior. So basically, if you are not drafted in the first round by the time you are a sophomore, you will never be drafted in the first round. These days second round picks get two way deals, maybe, so there is no advantage to be a second round pick over being a free agent. So there is nothing for good veterans to wait around for, unless they like being in college. If they really want to play in the NBA best to get to the G League where the style of play is more similar to the NBA than college ball is. Or to go to another country and make a living.

---

You're overstating it Though the NBA draft is skewed toward youth Davion Mitchell was drafted No. 9 as a junior in the 2021 draft. Chris Duarte was drafted No. 13 the same year after four years of college. That's just off the top of my head. It does become tougher for upperclassmen, but even your description of the mock draft contradicts your statement that you can't get drafted in the first round as an upperclassman. As for second rounders, 10 of the players drafted in the second round this past year signed full NBA contracts for 2-4 years. Some of them are starting as first-year NBA players.

That said, there's certainly less reason to stick around than ever though I wouldn't say the G-League is a better route than college once you're an upperclassman. Less visibility and no team has a vested interest in you if you haven't been drafted.

---

You can say I am exaggerating if you want. If only two upperclassmen are projected to be in the first round this year, I think it is not too much of an exaggeration to say upperclassmen don't get drafted in the first round. This has not happened yet but I think teams will start passing on their late first round picks. The guaranteed money is a drag. Look at the Warriors. They dumped Wiseman and are way overpaying for Moody, who is a benchwarmer. Meanwhile Lamb, who was undrafted, and Ty Jerome, who was a first round pick but was waived, are getting major minutes and are very useful on two-way contracts. The market catches up to reality eventually.

College basketball and the NBA have never been more different, and the difference will continue to grow.

sluggo said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

bearister said:

---

"Nikola Jokic on Tuesday became the sixth player in NBA history to record 100 career triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook (198)
Oscar Robertson (181)
Magic Johnson (138)
Jason Kidd (107)
LeBron James (106)
Jokic (100)

By the numbers: Jokic, 28, needed 582 games to reach 100 triple-doubles, trailing only Robertson (277 games).

Jokic has 24 triple-doubles this season (including 15 in his last 20 games) and the Nuggets have won all 24 of those contests.

He's currently averaging a triple-double while ranking 19th in points (24.6), third in rebounds (11.7) and fourth in assists (10.0)."
-Axios

---

Did he play in college?

---

Of course not. Like almost all Europeans in the NBA he signed a pro contract at 16 or 17 (he was 17). Wembanyama was 15.

---

….but I'm sure like Dirk, Jokic almost went to Cal. Add that to the bs lore of a poor f@uck hoop program.

sluggo said:

---

bluesaxe said:

---

sluggo said:

---

HoopDreams said:

---

Looked at the next two NBA mock drafts to see how it might impact the Pac12 next season. Basically almost no players will leave for the draft after the current season. That means that players like Boogie the PG from USC, the irratating Drew Peterson of USC, Campbell the PG from UCLA, Carlson the C from Utah, and Mouhamed Gueye the PF/C from Washington State (projected in 2024 draft) are likely to return to the Pac12 (assuming they don't transfer)

Also, Cal was NOT a young team. In fact, they were probably the 2nd most veteran team behind Utah.

Of course the transfer portal can change everything in a heartbeat

2023 Mock Draft per NBADRAFT.net

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/

First Round: Only AZ's PF Tubelis

Second Round: Only UCLA's SF Jacquez


2024 Mock Draft per espn

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/35707557/2024-nba-mock-draft-why-bronny-james-projected-top-10-pick

First Round:

5. Isaiah Collier - committed to USC - 6*4 PG

9 - Kwame Evans - committed to Oregon - 6-9 PF

20 - Mouhamed Gueye - Washington State - 6-10 PF/C

25 - Kylan Boswell - AZ PG - didn't even notice him when playing Cal (played 3 minutes in first game, and 20 minutes in second game scoring 10 total points on 3-9 shooting

Second Round:

42 - Amari Bailey - UCLA - SG

59 - Tristan da Silva - Colorado - PF

---

I don't think this means what you think it means. I looked at the Ringer mock draft (https://nbadraft.theringer.com/) and the first round for the coming draft includes only one junior and one senior. So basically, if you are not drafted in the first round by the time you are a sophomore, you will never be drafted in the first round. These days second round picks get two way deals, maybe, so there is no advantage to be a second round pick over being a free agent. So there is nothing for good veterans to wait around for, unless they like being in college. If they really want to play in the NBA best to get to the G League where the style of play is more similar to the NBA than college ball is. Or to go to another country and make a living.

---

You're overstating it Though the NBA draft is skewed toward youth Davion Mitchell was drafted No. 9 as a junior in the 2021 draft. Chris Duarte was drafted No. 13 the same year after four years of college. That's just off the top of my head. It does become tougher for upperclassmen, but even your description of the mock draft contradicts your statement that you can't get drafted in the first round as an upperclassman. As for second rounders, 10 of the players drafted in the second round this past year signed full NBA contracts for 2-4 years. Some of them are starting as first-year NBA players.

That said, there's certainly less reason to stick around than ever though I wouldn't say the G-League is a better route than college once you're an upperclassman. Less visibility and no team has a vested interest in you if you haven't been drafted.

---

You can say I am exaggerating if you want. If only two upperclassmen are projected to be in the first round this year, I think it is not too much of an exaggeration to say upperclassmen don't get drafted in the first round. This has not happened yet but I think teams will start passing on their late first round picks. The guaranteed money is a drag. Look at the Warriors. They dumped Wiseman and are way overpaying for Moody, who is a benchwarmer. Meanwhile Lamb, who was undrafted, and Ty Jerome, who was a first round pick but was waived, are getting major minutes and are very useful on two-way contracts. The market catches up to reality eventually.

College basketball and the NBA have never been more different, and the difference will continue to grow.

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When you say "So basically, if you are not drafted in the first round by the time you are a sophomore, you will never be drafted in the first round" yes, it's an exaggeration.

Why bring up two lottery picks as examples of why teams might pass on their late first rounders? Wiseman was a poor fit with a team built around Curry and overpaid for what he could bring at the moment, but the reason his salary was a problem is that he was drafted second. If he had been a late first there wouldn't have been a problem. Moody isn't overpaid in NBA terms at all. He's 20, will be a solid role player at least, and doesn't get a lot of minutes because he's a guard playing behind Thompson, Poole and DiVicenzo. But he is under team control for two more years and is relatively cheap, making much less than the taxpayer mid-level exception. Which is the reason those late first rounders won't go away - they are an opportunity to find inexpensive young talent and to fill out the end of the bench, especially on teams that are capped. They either add young draftees That is the market. Patrick Baldwin Jr. is a perfect example of that. Two-way players don't make the payroll cheaper, teams still have to have a minimum of 14 full contracts and the two-ways can't play in the playoffs. It's rare for a decent team to need them but this year's Warriors were strangely constructed.

The NBA and college definitely are different. And college is about to be even more different with the NBA lining up to start signing 18-year-olds again. Sadly, the biggest similarity between the two games is that money drives both.

bearister said:

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sluggo said:

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HoopDreams said:

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bearister said:

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"Nikola Jokic on Tuesday became the sixth player in NBA history to record 100 career triple-doubles.

Russell Westbrook (198)
Oscar Robertson (181)
Magic Johnson (138)
Jason Kidd (107)
LeBron James (106)
Jokic (100)

By the numbers: Jokic, 28, needed 582 games to reach 100 triple-doubles, trailing only Robertson (277 games).

Jokic has 24 triple-doubles this season (including 15 in his last 20 games) and the Nuggets have won all 24 of those contests.

He's currently averaging a triple-double while ranking 19th in points (24.6), third in rebounds (11.7) and fourth in assists (10.0)."
-Axios

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Did he play in college?

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Of course not. Like almost all Europeans in the NBA he signed a pro contract at 16 or 17 (he was 17). Wembanyama was 15.

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….but I'm sure like Dirk, Jokic almost went to Cal. Add that to the bs lore of a poor f@uck hoop program.

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Jokic visited Cal when he was toddler. His family had taken a trip to the Bay Area, and they took BART from SF over to Berkeley. At the top of the Campanile, Jokic supposedly cooed, "Goo goo, ga ga." and one of our Professors of Serbo-Croatian, who just so happened to be up there, translated it as, "Committed!" True story. In fact, if I'm making it up, may Cal win the Pac 12 Conference Tournament!