Report: Burke And Hardaway To Go Pro After This Season [UPDATED WITH MULTIPLE DENIALS]
Melanie Maxwell/AnnArbor.com
Darren Heitner, a sports business writer for Forbes as well as a sports and entertainment attorney, reports via Twitter that both Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. are headed to the NBA after this season:
Source: Trey Burke will leave MICH early. Will interview 5 agents: Jeff Schwartz, Arn Tellem, Henry Thomas, Bill Duffy, Alonzo Shavers.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) April 4, 2013
Source: Tim Hardaway Jr. will leave MICH early & very strong chance he signs w/Henry Thomas of CAA.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) April 4, 2013
Burke's reported departure, of course, comes as no surprise. Hardaway was considered a 50/50 shot—even though he's been projected as either a late first-round or second-round pick, the upside (from an NBA perspective) of him returning for a senior season seemed marginal at best.
Of course, we learned last year that one report (or several, even) does not guarantee a player's departure. In this case, though, Heitner appears to be going on a lot more than an empty dorm room—he's tweeting a considerable amount of specific information about potential agent choices.
UPDATE: Burke's mother issues a denial of the report, saying that her son has yet to make a decision:
Just spoke with Trey Burke's mother, Ronda, who says "He has not made any decision" about going pro.
— Eric Adelson (@eric_adelson) April 4, 2013
UPDATE II: The plot thickens:
@zhelfand spoke to my (trusted) source. Call from Hardaway Jr.'s father does not sway his position.
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) April 4, 2013
UPDATE III: As reader SFBlue points out, Heitner has a bit of a checkered history when it comes to his journalistic credibility. Considering it's pretty clear he didn't do his due diligence in reporting this story—a call should've been placed to the Burke and Hardaway families, at the very least—perhaps it's best we pretend this never happened.
I was hoping that one of the agents would be World Wide Wes. I just want more WWW stories from Jalen.
This is the sweetest time for M bball in 20 years. Just enjoy it. Who knows if this report is true? And even if it is, so what? Going pro is a judgment call for each guy, let him make it. I would trade the starting five going pro for a title. Let's get that title and worry about the rest afterwards.
I'll believe Hardaway is 100% leaving when I see him playing ball in the NBA summer league.
I'm just focusing on the photo. What a great, genuine, heartfelt hug captured in that photo. I love that photo.
love it so much I had to say it twice...
I'm pretty sure that most people here expected both to go. Burke will probably be getting at least a 30-year head start over what most grads, even from a great school like Michgan, will make with their various degrees. Hardaway isn't furthering his case, and faces the inexplicable but real "senior stigma" in the draft if he stays one more year.
I'm just happy we had both to cheer for the last couple of years. I'm also glad GRIII and Mitch apparently plan on staying.
RT @eric_adelson: Just spoke with Trey Burke's mother, Ronda, who says "He has not made any decision" about going pro.
We all agree that Trey leaving is a big blow and we have known it for a long time. I am not sure how badly we will be impacted by Hardway's departure. Zac is a terrefic player and at some level a better shooting guard than Hardway. His departure may not hurt that much.
Received call from Tim Hardaway Jr.'s father. Says son has not yet decided on leaving early. Also denies intent to sign w/agent Henry Thomas
Maybe Andrew Wiggins will get word that the best coach at the best program in the nation are getting players to the NBA early, have a bright, winning future ahead and will have some open scholarships. Also, we support our Canadian players with passion.
More like speculation. Everyone knows that Trey is gone after this season. However, there isn't anyone out there that knows anything about Timmy leaving including himself and his family.
Received call from Tim Hardaway Jr.'s father. Says son has not yet decided on leaving early. Also denies intent to sign w/agent Henry Thomas
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) April 4, 2013
6:23PM....where is this guy, England?
This is just poor in every sense. Just like Ben Howland announcing for Shabazz Muhammed.
Let the kids have their moment, it's there decision. What "boost" do you get for being the first to "break" this story?
This isn't like the Penn St. story, this isn't BCS going to a playoff, this is just a couple of guys deciding to go pro. There's no story. Just wait until they make a decision and write the best article on whichever choice they make...there is no advantage to being first in this case.
Typical douchebag throwing shit on a wall and seeing what sticks. $20 says that if hardaway stays, it will be because of a "Source: Hardaway has a last minute change of heart, will stay".
This guy is the biggest douche.
Dude looks like a weasel in his Twitter pic.
Take it for what it is worth but the people I know around the team (I'm a current student) are pretty confident Hardaway has not made a decision, and that as of the beginning of the tourny run planned on going back. His father wants him to finish and he likes being here. Obviously all hearsay but its hearsay from my friends and I like what it says. On the other hand burke is pretty much gone no doubt.
Twerp who wrote these tweets is a double-Florida grad whose "reporting" has been off-base before. Check it out
I am just pondering the timestamp on the tweet, after 6pm on 4/4/13? Is there a strong media presence over seas (east) that covers Michigan basketball and this information? Also, I know absolutely nothing about twitter and the time reported. I just find it odd. Educate me.
I'm honestly not sure what's going on with that—Heitner is supposedly based out of Florida, while Adelson lives in Florida and covers Michigan sports, per his Twitter bio.
perhaps it's best we pretend this never happened
Perhaps you never should have put this on the front page to begin with. It was fine to have this discussed on the board, but a single-sourced item like this had no business being on the front page.
Brian is out of pocket because he's in the midst of a move, I'm attempting to write a longform piece today, and other outlets were running with the story. I'd agree that, in light of what's been revealed about Heitner, his report didn't deserve the attention it received. But it also received a ton of attention, and at least this way a more complete version of the story is on the front page for those who have come across the original report and want to know more.
But yes, it turned out Heitner isn't front-page material, and I apologize for any unnecessary consternation posting this has caused.
Eh, It's understandable - it sounds credible enough at first glance and Trey-to-NBA is hardly a shock. It'd be like if Ace Williams reported that Kate Upton turned me down for a date. It's certainly newsworthy and relevant news even if the source's credibility doesn't hold up to focused scrutiny.
You linked to Wikipedia? BUT WIKIPEDIA IS ALWAYS WRONG!
/that guy
Darren Heitner is Ace Williaeerrrrr, he who shall not be named.
Darren Heitner killed 5 hookers?
...is going to sign with the Edmonton Oilers at the end of the season."
Apparently Ace needed to be reminded not to believe everything he reads on twitter?
He looks like a douche
or not to panic?!?!?! haha, either way im sure Burke will go pro and if THJ does I wish them both the best of luck and thank them for the greatness they provided while at Michigan!
sad but both deserving. Good for them but we will all miss these guys.
maybe you should take it down.
I wouldn't be surprised if they both left (they certainly have accomplished much of what you'd expect for draftable players), but the absurdity of Heitner posting this information now is more shocking. I mean, he'll act vindicated when Burke and/or Hardaway leave, which were possibilities most people contemplated months ago. It's like Joe Lunardi patting himself on the back for saying Duke would be a top-2 seed.
I can't tell... would you be surprised if both left?
I'm saying I wouldn't be surprised if they both left; I'm actually expecting Burke to leave, and I see little reason for Hardaway to stick around from a basketball perspective (obviously college and/or education reasons also exist). I'm fine with guys leaving provided they are content with what the future holds.
The somewhat-common double post!
The far rarer triple post!
delivers pizzas too. from my (trusted) source.
This front page post should be either removed or the title and leading content should be considerably altered so as to reflect the complete lack of credibility of the reporting party.
Seeing that this guy is very new law school graduate who is super-ambitious, he reminds me of some other lawyers. The type of people who are so pumped to get their name in the paper, they never step back to think about whether they are hurting their reputation long term and/or they just don't realize the real world is morecomplicated.
He seems like another new attorney in Miami:
mr. blankey?
This was hilarious and even though its Peoples Court you have made my day sir. Reputation was explained to me this way when I started practicing: it takes a lifetime to build it and a second to detroy it. Once it's gone it doesn't come back. you are what your reputation says you are. Good Luck.
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