Stauskas to the NBA per ESPN, refuted by Nik

Submitted by Moleskyn on

This comes as no surprise, but ESPN is reporting it now:

Michigan sophomore Nik Stauskas is headed to the NBA, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Thursday.

The source said the 6-foot-6, 205-pound shooting guard intends to make a public announcement soon.

Stauskas refutes:

Just wanted to reiterate that any reports about my future intenions are FALSE! I have NOT made ANY decisions on my future yet!

— Nik Stauskas (@NStauskas11) April 10, 2014

ypsituckyboy

April 10th, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^

He's an adult, and an adult whose self-confidence probably isn't going to be harmed by not getting the attention. I think the best reason for not breaking the news is so that he can tell his teammates first. Other than that, i've got no problem with the media breaking the story. That's their job.

JHendo

April 10th, 2014 at 10:09 AM ^

Somewhere along the line, many media outlets stop caring about reporting the news on actual facts, but instead turned towards the goal of being "first" to report anything of note, regardless of whether or not it's been confirmed or if there are actual facts behind said news.  If the news is being reported in such a way or time that the person who the subject of the story has to come out and flat out refute it, then yes, I have a problem with it (this more goes for non-scandal related situations, of course). I read ESPN regularly, but as someone else said not too long ago on here, ESPN has turned into the TMZ of sports.

JHendo

April 10th, 2014 at 10:33 AM ^

True, it may be an overplayed stance, but it doesn't mean it's not a stance that has some merit to it.  As someone who does not live in the spotlight like Nik, I can't truly compare my life experiences to him, but I'll certainly try here.  I'm on facebook a lot, I've made a lot of posts, and people have made a bunch of posts about me.  But if I had gotten a new job or a big promotion and was waiting for the right time to tell everyone who's not worthy of knowing face to face about it, I'd be pissed off as all hell if some co-worker or family member decided to say something online in regards to it before me.

Yes, I know, apples to oranges comparison, but there is such a thing as common decency and Nik is a human just like me who probably has the same feelings about wanting to spill his own beans. It's all a moot point anyways, because with the way ESPN and the like have become, you probably don't get to keep your job there by being a reporter that honors common decency.

wile_e8

April 10th, 2014 at 10:27 AM ^

Especially when anyone could predict what is going to happen 90% of the time. I could have made a post about Stauskas going to the NBA a week ago and claimed to know first and it would probably end up being correct, but that doesn't actually mean I knew anything. Then you remind people of the times you were right and ignore the few surprises.

This reminds me of the reports about Rodriguez getting fired a few days before he was actually fired. Way to go out on a limb there guys.

MGoRob

April 10th, 2014 at 10:20 AM ^

Perhaps.  But this isn't a highschooler picking a college.  He's not a "kid" if he's choosing an NBA career.  He'll be a professional.  And since the NBA is all about rating, $$$, and media then I see no reason why anyone would need to keep the information back.

Ghost of BCook…

April 10th, 2014 at 10:21 AM ^

It's pretty common sense.  If you don't want news to break earlier than you're prepared for, make sure you can trust anyone you tell said news to.  If this is true (it likely is, despite Stauskas' denials), someone close to Nik had to tell somebody.  Don't blame the reporter, blame the leaks in one's inner circle. 

lbpeley

April 10th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^

about not telling anyone of your plans, this is not necessarily that type of situation. It's every bit as likely (and probably more likely) that some douche "journalist" is going off the probability that Nik will announce to leave and is getting his First to Report hat in the ring. That's my bitch with this type of thing. I have no problem with ESPN or whoever breaking this type of story before Nik if Nik is leaving. It's the probability that this assbag just knew he'd get clicks from tens of thousands of UM fans and it's the only reason he posted it.

Ghost of BCook…

April 10th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^

So you're accusing Jeff Goodman of making the news up and not having a source, when he is indicating that the information is from a source?  That would be expected from Bleacher Report perhaps, but Goodman has too much of a good reputation to do that.  Unlikely scenario in my opinion. 

madmaxweb

April 10th, 2014 at 9:46 AM ^

Sucks for selfish reasons but this was the right decision for him. Hopefully he gets on a team that has a good driving PG that way he can kick it out and let Stauskas be the spot up guy. Also, just another 1st rounder Belien can point too in recruiting.

An Angelo's Addict

April 10th, 2014 at 9:46 AM ^

Well it would have been amazing to have him come back for another season but it's hard to see how his stock could have risen much more. I sure will miss seeing those Canadian Michigan flags at the basketball games

Leaders And Best

April 10th, 2014 at 10:00 AM ^

Jeff Goodman is the same guy who reported that Trey Burke was gone to the NBA Draft. Only he wasn't. Here was his report after Trey's freshman year:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/18297608/trey-burke-expected-to-leave-michigan-for-nba

Does Goodman have sources? Probably some, but probably not that close to the primary source. I am guessing he often makes these jumps to conclusions off of reported leanings and then hopes he's right. Which is not breaking news but educated guessing and terrible reporting.

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 10th, 2014 at 9:58 AM ^

Hiding behind 'it's his job' is ridiculous.  No one makes a reporter report anything.  They have to use their own judgement and choose as well.  We're not talking about the start of World War III here where people need to know NOW.

That said, I don't blame Goodman at all for making the call to report it.  Stauskas is a high level, soon to be professional, athlete.  Stories about him will be commonplace and comes with the territory.  And yes, Goodman has to make a living and in the news, that involves being the first one to report (unfortunately in many way, at least in my opinion).  I'm most disappointed in whoever leaked it to Goodman.  The only people who should know are in Stauskas' inner circle or his agent.  In both circumstances, they should be ashamed for leaking it for their own self importance.

Kinda Blue

April 10th, 2014 at 9:59 AM ^

Sure it's his job. But if the people in question are denying it, it makes you wonder whether he has an actual source or is contorting a safe assumption into an actual decision without getting anything from a legitimate source.

Michigan4Life

April 10th, 2014 at 11:04 AM ^

1. They wanted to make the announcement themselves

2. They did make a decision only to change their mind at the last minute.  It happens. Sources can be right yet be wrong if there's a last minute change of heart. I'm guessing that's what happened with Trey Burke. He was all set to go to NBA until the last minute. That doesn't mean that Goodman was wrong.

FreddieMercuryHayes

April 10th, 2014 at 9:49 AM ^

Sucks that people have to ruin someone's announcement to satisfy their need for self importance while coat-tail riding.  Either way, fully expected, and I hope he does great in the NBA.