Wagner, Wilson To Enter Draft, Not Hire Agents
[Marc-Gregor Campredon]
Redshirt sophomore forward DJ Wilson announced he will enter the NBA Draft without hiring an agent.
— D.J. Wilson (@Lanky_Smoove) April 10, 2017
Mere moments later, sophomore forward Moe Wagner did the same.
— Moe Wagner (@moritz_weasley) April 10, 2017
By not hiring agents, both players have left the window open for a return to Michigan. They can participate in the combine and work out for individual teams. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is May 24th. Wilson has been projected in the mid-to-late first round in some mocks; Wagner's projections have been mostly in the latter half draft. It's quite possible, as occurs quite often with the new rule, that one or both ends up returning.
Michigan currently has one open scholarship for the 2017-18 season; departures from Wagner and Wilson could bring that number to three. They are in continued pursuit of five-star C Mo Bamba, who'd be the ideal replacement but also has Duke, Kentucky, and Texas in hot pursuit. The coaches are also looking into grad transfer options; they're in contact with Wright State guard Mark Alstork, Howard guard James Daniel, and Pitt forward Cameron Johnson.
"You are correct"
How Meta of you.
Yes, hiring an agent is the issue.
From the post:
By not hiring agents, both players have left the window open for a return to Michigan. They can participate in the combine and work out for individual teams. The deadline to withdraw from the draft is May 24th.
This is a smart move. Go and see what evaluation that they can get and then come back.
I haz sad. Just had to put my 12 year old Weimer down on Satuday.
I'm sorry for your loss :(
My condolences, that's the worst... We just put down our 14 year old weimeriner back around Thanksgiving.
makes me feel like Moe's face above
This isn't as big of a deal as it used to be since they essentially changed the rules. This is a legit opportunity to go get some feedback from NBA personnel on what they need to work on, etc. I've seen zero mock drafts that have Wilson or Wagner in the first round. It's always a concern that some unscrupulous sorts could convince them to leave.
But, seriously, anybody that's even a fringe prospect should consider doing this and that's been the general consensus for a while now.
Kentucky's WHOLE TEAM did this last year. There are near ZERO downsides for the player and the university (assuming the player isn't told that they will get drafted early, leave early, and get screwed). If the player leaves when they shouldn't have, that's a bad decision that probably would have been made without team feedback.
Of course there is a downside to the university. Recruiting this late in the game to replace one or both of them is a definite disadvantage. If Bamba weren't to come--which he ain't--then we are playing with two slow unproven 5s and Robinson at the 4 without an obvious backup.
I know that this is a smart move on their part and does not mean it's a sure thing that DJ and Mo are gone, but still, this makes me feel bad.
This only would have been surprising had they not declared. Why not participate, get feedback then return for a year to work on the areas indentified as weaknesses?
I expect both back, that said you have to be prepared for attrition every year. You can only keep playing the "nobody saw this coming" card so many times before it gets old. The only difference between DJ and the 1-2 and dones is DJ held a roster spot for two years and did nothing. Then when he does develop he leaves and you're unprepared for the consequences of that. Hopefully both make the right decision and come back.
End this draft business now! For too long our young ones have been sent to fight in Vietnam. What did the Vietnamese ever do to us except for limpy lettuce on Bamh Mi? That's hardly actionable from a military viewpoint! And why are we drafting a German? Oh?! ... well nevermind... /Emily Litella
It's a smart move for each of them. A great opportunity for quality feedback with no real down-side. Selfishly, I hope they play for Michigan again next year, but wish them both great luck in pursuit of their dreams.
As many pointed out, declaring for the draft without an agent is not all that ominous. But all the talk about consulting with the family and thank you for everything sure is. That, plus Beilein stacking up grad transfer prospects like cordwood is deeply concerning.
Baby come back...
He doesn't really have to pursue anyone to replace Mo. As much as an experienced grad transfer sounds intriguing, we do have Davis and Teske waiting on the wings to take over for Mo. As for DJ, going after Mo Bamba is already a good option. They have similar skillsets and while DJ is much farther along his development, Bamba may have a higher ceiling when all is said and done. That being said, please please DJ and Mo come back.
https://media.giphy.com/media/5GoVLqeAOo6PK/giphy.gif
this is why i just can't stay that into college bball
I realize that not hiring agents is a good sign, and the future is unknowable etc., but does anyone who follows this more closely than me have any sense of what typically happens when players of Wagner and Wilson's profile get evaluated? Is it typically a 50/50 coin toss or does history suggest that the odds lean one way or another?
into actual draft. I'd say odds for each (DJ and Moe) going is about 25-35% chance. Doubt like hell both go. Seem to enjoy the college experience too much
DJ was a foregone conclusion that he'd explore his draft options, while Moe was a little more of a surprise but not totally off the radar either...
Kids have one shot to do this in their college career, so pretty much no surprise that they'd choose to test the waters this year.
There's like zero reason not to throw your hat into the ring
No, kids can do this every year that they have eligibility remaining. But yes, it should come as no surprise that Wagner and Wilson are going to take advantage of the rule.
I am guessing you are correct.
They both gave us a great year. I hope they come back but wish the best for each.
Apart from my selfish interests, why wouldn't both players declare? They are not bound by this decision, get the benefit of the combine, a team workout, and the knowledge that would come from the process.
I think both would benefit immensely from returning, because neither is a lottery pick (especially in a good draft class like this years), and late first rounders and second rounders in general often fade to oblivian by declaring early. But why would you not take the chance to gauge where you are if there is no real penalty for doing so?
My view changes 180 degrees if they were to hire an agent. The way things are, it shows me what I already knew - they are bright and talented players.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Personally I don't think those dudes are really that good and I'm surprised they're getting such high projections. But I want them to come back!
With the rules where they are right now, I think you're nuts if you DON'T do this if you're a guy scouts are talking about and there's any talk of you being drafted. There's basically zero downside for the player. You could get hurt working out for a team I guess, but you'd be working out and practicing regardless. Even if you have absolutely zero intention of staying the draft, you get feedback from pro scouts, you get experience in the process for later when you do plan on staying in the draft.
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