Nik Stauskas to decide on NBA Draft in the "next week or so"

Submitted by EastCoast Esq. on

This according to CollegeBasketballTalk on NBC Sports:

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/06/nik-stauskas-will-decide-to-declare-for-nba-draft-or-return-to-michigan-in-next-week-or-so/.

 

While I would love for him to come back and anchor another Final Four run, I suspect he leaves. His dad seems to want him to go, and as a mid-1st round pick, I would not blame him for cashing in. He isn't going to graduate, so there seems limited upside to staying for another year.

On the other hand, this is an exceptionally strong draft. If he stays, he may be a sure fire lottery pick instead of on the border. Is that another to bring him back? Who knows. He also said that you only get to go to college once, but I feel like that reasoning only has so much pull.

Thoughts?

Geaux_Blue

April 6th, 2014 at 4:18 PM ^

I feel like if he was going he'd have done the Skills competition. For someone who prided himself obviously with all the YouTube stuff, don't know why he'd pass that up to have one last proving ground.

Also slightly optimistic with how many of those guys talked about it being their favorite season bc of atmosphere, etc

Mr. Yost

April 6th, 2014 at 4:57 PM ^

I don't know anything about his gf...but what if he doesn't want to leave her until she graduates?

What if he REALLY wants what could be his best shot to win an NCAA title?

What if this is REALLY the best time of his life?

He should make the best decision for him...but it's not always about draft stock and money for everyone. Especially someone from Nik's background...if you've watched those youtube videos, his family is doing just fine. 

Florida had a bunch of guys return and they won a national championship. Noah was going to be the #1 overall pick and he came back. UNC had a bunch of guys return too...and they too won a national championship. IMO, if everyone comes back for one more year at Michigan. We've got to be one of your 2-3 teams most likely to win the whole thing next year.

wahooverine

April 6th, 2014 at 7:20 PM ^

The GF might be a factor - you gotta believe she wants him to stay.  I'd bet she is dreading him jetting off into the NBA lifestyle where Nik could have a girl like her in every city if he were so inclined.  Perhaps she will help convince him of the rationale to stay one more year (out of her own self interest).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

bronxblue

April 6th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^

Either way, he's had a great run with UM and he has done as much as anyone to get them back to the elite level they currently enjoy.  Wish him the best if he leaves, happy if he comes back.

Perkis-Size Me

April 6th, 2014 at 4:37 PM ^

I'd love for Stuaskas to stay, but he's as good as gone. And I wouldn't blame him for one second. His stock really can't get much higher. He's about as complete an offensive player as he's going to get, and while his defense can be slightly suspect, that's not really what he'd be getting drafted for anyway.

switch26

April 6th, 2014 at 4:41 PM ^

Seems like Nik's family is pretty well off, and a lot of these kids bounce to the NBA to make money they or their family has never had..  There are some good kids out there that don't care about millions of dollars..  and if he stays sure he prob may miss out on some money, but Nik seems like a smart kid and im sure he will know how to manage himself even if he only makes 5 million dollars his entire NBA career.. 

 

Also i never saw anyone comment on the article that was written not too long ago about how Nik, and Glenn wanted to come back next year because they wanted to play together with Mitch, then leave...  Not sure if anyone has a link to it or not.. i can't find it.

 

 

Tater

April 6th, 2014 at 5:52 PM ^

Whether or not Nik's family is "well off," it certainly seems as though they want him to go to the NBA.  If he is a lock for the middle of the first round, he should go.  I'm thankful that he stayed this year.  

Since John Beilien has a reputation for integrity, I would imagine that his advice to Nik would be something like this:: "We'd love to have you come back, but you would be taking a huge risk to do so."

Goodbye, thanks for the memories, and do the Maize and Blue proud.

switch26

April 6th, 2014 at 7:05 PM ^

His parent's want him to go because it is his dream..  His family isn't hurting for money which is another or main reason a lot of kids from poorer backgrounds jump to the NBA so they can support their family..  Not everyone needs to jump to the NBA for the "millions of dollars" like most people seem to think

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 6th, 2014 at 4:41 PM ^

Honestly, he should go.  There's really nothing left for him to accomplish or learn at the college level (well except maybe defense, but nobody cares about that in the NBA).  Just like Hardaway and Burke after his junior year, it's time.  On the other hand, for Robinson/McGary there are just as many resons to stay and develop as there are to leave and cash in.

Franz Schubert

April 6th, 2014 at 6:42 PM ^

How about winning a national championship? This board has gone overboard in its insistence that Nik cannot improve. I don't like to be too negative but although Nik played an overall good game against Kentucky, he really struggled if not disappeared in the 2nd half and that included his bread and butter shooting. The 2nd half against Tenn. was another diappearing act so I think there is plenty to improve on. Playing complete games and improving his defense are 2 very large reasons to come back.

The Harbaughnger

April 6th, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^

There's a kid training...tirelessly...working harder...staying up late in the barn shooting the lights out...running one more sprint...wearing the ball to the point the panels start to peel...studying tape after tape...shunning friends to get one more practice in. He knows who you are. He doesn't care about your records. He's coming. Are you ready?

Gucci Mane

April 6th, 2014 at 6:04 PM ^

I know nothing about the second 2 so gs you posted, but tha Rihanna so g is great and the video even greater. If I had to choose between 1 night with Rihanna or 1 nc for michigan I think I would go insane deciding.

LSAClassOf2000

April 6th, 2014 at 4:47 PM ^

For some rather intriguing snippets from the interview with Nik, go for the MLive article by Brendan Quinn - LINK

You can get the sense he is pretty torn about this really, and I don't think anyone would blame him really. He talks about what it might be like for everyone to return and the sort of run that might start, but also about the opportunities afforded players who go into the league. Either way, it has been a great, great run with Nik as part of this team - would love for him to stay, but if he does go, it is yet again a sign that we're back to producing NBA talent on a regular basis. That only helps Michigan down the road. 

AlwaysBlue

April 6th, 2014 at 4:58 PM ^

think this is even a hard decision for Nik. I don't think the dream of a national championship or another year in college even begin to compete with the NBA lifestyle (to use his word). And then there is the reality of how this last season set up for him when Mitch went down. His role changed dramatically. With Walton's anticipated growth alone I am not certain Nik sees the same opportunity if he returns. Add to that the possibility that Mitch returns and it becomes even harder to imagine.

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 6th, 2014 at 5:12 PM ^

I was wondering this too.  With growth from Walton, Levert, Irvin, and if McGary, Robinson return...well there's just probably not as much production left for Stauskas.  Or conversely, if less for the other players.  I mean it would be the best for the team, but he may not 'look' as good as he did this year even if he's a better player.  He had a chance to really carry the team this year. 

Conversely, I wonder if GRIII especially is looking to see what Stauskas does.  If Stauskas leaves, and McGary returns, then there's a hole for a 3 that GRIII can work to fill instead of being an undersized 4, especially with the 'prototypical' 4 Donnal coming off a RS.  If GRIII was stuck at the 4 again, he probably doesn't see nearly as much opportunity for growth there.