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?

reanimator

April 6th, 2014 at 7:57 PM ^

I cannot wait until he declares so the people disguising their desire to watch him play college basketball with stuff like degrees, getting better and NCAA championships can stfu. It's not like you can't finish a degree or get better while in the NBA and a title isn't assurred. He does the unthinkable and stays? Great. If not, he had a stellar two years at Michigan. Michigan won't be hurting for talent if GR3 and McGary come back. 

repole

April 6th, 2014 at 8:50 PM ^

I tend to agree that the degree and "getting better is easier in college" things are overstated, but the latter does have some truth to it. The thing about being an NBA player is that you play a lot of games. And game days are dedicated to one thing and one thing only, being ready to play. You don't spend game days trying to improve, you're not lifting weights on a game day, you're simply trying to keep yourself loose and ready to go. You spend more days traveling, and spend far fewer practicing as a team than a college team does (NBA teams can go weeks between full practices).

Getting playing time makes up for a lot of that, as there's nothing more valuable in a young player's development than playing, but if you're stuck ot the bench it can be tough to actually have a ton of time to dedicate to getting better during the season.

Now I don't think that's a good enough reason to pass up making millions of dollars, but just want to point out that there is some truth to the whole college developmental thing.

Raoul

April 6th, 2014 at 7:49 PM ^

I wouldn't read too much into the fact that Stauskas hasn't declared yet. He and Robinson and McGary are probably going to wait to get their NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee evaluation before making their decisions (and they'd be smart to do so). The deadline for applying for an evaluation is April 9, with the evaluations issued no later than April 14 (see this DraftExpress rundown).

MGoBlueFan90

April 6th, 2014 at 8:11 PM ^

Would I like Nik to stay? Of course, but he's earned the right to go to the NBA with his performance. Like Trey Burke, I was fine because of how well he played and his good representation of UM Basketball.

Good luck to Nik no matter what his decision is.

Nolongerusingaccount

April 6th, 2014 at 8:12 PM ^

I thought Mitch McGary should have left last year since his value was probably not going to get any higher, and I feel the same way about Stauskas.  Regardless, I hope the kid makes the best decision for him.  Separately, I think McGary and Robinson should probably stay another year now.  I really hope the both of them have incredible years next year and that they boost their stocks to lottery levels.  

harmon40

April 6th, 2014 at 9:54 PM ^

that no one can be faulted for taking the $, as most of us certainly would.



That said, I will always miss the days when only once-in-a-generation players thought of leaving early (yes I do realize this is selfish on my part)

Deltroit3030

April 7th, 2014 at 1:18 AM ^

He's gone. I am convinced. And bummed. But not in the least angry with him.

It's just hard losing some of your favorite players so early on. It's crazy how we've had some amazing teams these last couple years (and going back 3-4 years, some really, really good teams). The crazy part is that these teams are led by freshman and sophomores. Imagine a world where we read our starting line up for the game as Senior McGary, Senior Stauskus, Senior Glenn Robinson III, Junior Derrick Walton, Senior Caris LeVert.. and a ton of young talent off the bench (or maybe somehow a younger guy slips in). There's some major colleges that do get these guys to stick around and field a team like this... I can't knock it because Michigan has been getting results.. but I would love to not see our starting 5 before game read as "Sophomore, Sophomore, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior/Senior". 

Anyway.. rambling now but you get my point. Wouldn't just be title contenders with these kind of line ups.. they'd be favorites. 

Wolverine91

April 7th, 2014 at 1:31 AM ^

I think he's gone and I don't blame him! Thanks for the memories Nik, u the man. As far as Glenn and Mitch, I hope they come back bc they should :)