DJ Wilson Not Participating In 5v5 At Combine Comment Count

Brian

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[Marc-Gregor Campredon]

This could be interpreted as a bad sign for Michigan's shot at getting DJ Wilson back:

Someone who thought he needed to change something to land in the first round would likely be playing. Brendan Quinn points out that Wilson might have a minor injury or other malady and he might be protecting his draft stock by not offering scouts less than the full DJ, but it is MGo-consensus that this is not a great sign.

Quinn also has an article on the increasingly late decisions that top-end players are making that is relevant to your interests:

This means that until recently, roughly one-third of the top 2017 recruits in the country were still available for the 2017-18 season. ... The trend is unmistakable. Top prep basketball players are using their leverage to wait out coaching changes and roster attrition before choosing their schools in the 11th hour. Given the power structure of college athletics, it's difficult to blame them. By waiting as long as possible, these players assure themselves an alliance of convenience before matriculating.

The current state of the NBA draft is a major driver of this trend. Since the drop dead date has moved so far back it has correspondingly moved back decisions.

A potential silver lining here: Mo Bamba is one of the players still waiting, as you no doubt know. Now that Texas's Jarrett Allen has signed with an agent, Michigan is the only one of Bamba's four finalists still waiting on a decision from a big. (Duke PG Frank Jackson and Texas PG Andrew Jones are still on the fence; all other UK/Duke/Texas early entrants are in for good.) If Michigan wasn't a potential landing spot he could pull the trigger. Hopefully a Wilson entry would make Michigan attractive enough to get Bamba. That's the ticket.

UPDATE: Consider the source, but:

Team-based reporters are often more optimistic in these situations than national types, and the timing here is suggestive.

UPDATE II: This on the other hand is specific and from non-affiliated writer.

Comments

WindyCityBlue

May 11th, 2017 at 12:59 PM ^

First off, I think if draft projections illustrate that he should go, then he should go.  And I would wish him well.

With that said, it just doesn't make sense.  I watched just about every Michigan basketball game last year.  He just doesn't come off as an NBA player (at least not now).  I mean, he didn't even get any Big Ten honors.  This is not a knock on his abilities, just that it still seems unusual.

Champeen

May 11th, 2017 at 1:16 PM ^

you are absolutely correct.  He is not an NBA player right now.  I am also having a hard time seeing him becoming an NBA player.  He plays way too soft.  He has a lot to correct and improve upon.  I see Mo Wagner a definite NBA player.  I don't see the same in Wilson.

I personally just do not get this.  HAS to be injury.  

Ziff72

May 11th, 2017 at 1:00 PM ^

To think he's proven enough that his stock is secure seems crazy, but a lot of stuff doesnt make sense.    Only a kid guaranteed to go in Lottery should avoid this unless they are afraid of being exposed.

Anyone confident in their ability would want to show it and improve their stock.

 

 

bronxblue

May 11th, 2017 at 1:01 PM ^

Wish him luck if he goes, but I could definitely still see him returning.  I assume he's hearing late first round, and if that's the case he might as well go.  But if not, I could see him viewing this as only a downside because he could play himself out of the first and it's highly unlikely he'd be able to play himself into the lottery.

Also, and this goes without saying, screw Izzo and his ability to trick people into going against their best fiscal interests.  

JMo

May 11th, 2017 at 1:05 PM ^

Moritz on Team #1, DWJr on Team #4, Tim Hardaway Jr's dad coaching Team #3... I don't know who to root for, but clearly we can all agree... screw Team #2.

skurnie

May 11th, 2017 at 1:07 PM ^

He's gone...but I don't know why being a fringe first rounder (likely second) is better than taking out an insurance policy, coming back and going in the lottery next year. 

Either way, good luck and get that money, DJ.

skurnie

May 11th, 2017 at 3:03 PM ^

I still wouldn't be surprised to see him leave and wouldn't blame him for it either. I guess if you can make money and ride the bench for a year and improve (like Hardaway, GRIII and others), I get why you wouldn't go the Jake Butt route. 

bronxblue

May 11th, 2017 at 1:10 PM ^

And of course, it then comes out he was injured and that's why he's not competing.  Glad to see we all didn't rush to any rash conclusions...

Blue since 82

May 11th, 2017 at 1:21 PM ^

Serious question as I am not a great basketball scout or anything but who is the preferred player for UM next year?  Would the team be better with Bamba or DJ?  I know Bamba has the heigh/top recruit/all that jazz, but DJ knows the system more and has the history with the team.

Is this a push?  Would we gladly say good-bye to DJ to get Bamba? Would we rather have DJ for one more year regardless?  Obviously we don't want to miss on both.

93Grad

May 11th, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^

Defensively Bamba is likely a big improvement, but offensively DJ seems far superior. I think I'd rather have DJ but Bamba is a unique enough talent that it makes you wonder whether there would be much of a drop
Off

Maizen

May 11th, 2017 at 1:58 PM ^

Bamba isn't coming here. Sam Webb has basically stated on his board Michigan is running 4th. Moreover, what in Beilein's history has shown you he can win recruitments like this? And don't say McGary, his best friend was committed, his AAU coach wanted him at Michigan, and his relationship with the Novak's played a signifcant role as well. Beilein has been here 10 years and has landed zero McDonalds All Americans. People need to let go of this pipe dream.

Blue since 82

May 11th, 2017 at 2:46 PM ^

I completely agree we don't get Bamba.  It was more just a thought based on "potential silver lining."  Running 4th is better than not running at all-but this late in the game 4th is still 4th. If there is even the slimest of chances I was just curious about popular opinion since, by my count, we would only have room for one.

KennyHiggins

May 11th, 2017 at 1:22 PM ^

DJ is coming back next season.  He'll be a huge contributor, be All-B1G, and spark UM to a deep run.  Then, he'll go to the NBA as a first rounder.  Too many nervous Nellies

AlwaysBlue

May 11th, 2017 at 1:31 PM ^

the injury explanation more than I believe DJ knows his weaknesses and would prefer to take his chances on the rest of what he's shown. If he can get first round money I think he's gone but I'm not sure how he can come out with that security.

Erik_in_Dayton

May 11th, 2017 at 1:39 PM ^

It's one thing for Trey or Stauskas to go after the seasons they had, but it's hard to watch a guy leave when he's only recently become a valuable player.  As good a season as Wilson had, he's also a guy who score two total points in Michigan's two regular season games against Wisconsin.  He still has much to learn. 

Anyway, I'm not arguing that Wilson shouldn't leave.  I'm just saying that it will be hard to see him go if he does.

One more thing: Mo Bamba is not going to pick Michigan.

Erik_in_Dayton

May 11th, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^

My reasoning is based on the fact that there is no smoke whatsoever suggesting that he's leaning toward Michigan  (at least as I've seen), general recruiting pessimism, and the fact that Coach Beilein was willing to take Jaaron Simmons.  I have to believe Simmons' arrival means that Coach Beilein doesn't think the chances with Bamba are good - though this admittedly assumes that neither Wilson nor Wagner have told Michigan they're leaving.

nerv

May 11th, 2017 at 1:38 PM ^

This thread, I do not like this thread. Like, hey, lets get depressed over super circumstantial and flimsy evidence that may or may not point to a bad thing.

But it worked.. now depressed.

Pepto Bismol

May 11th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^

You have to understand he's not going to play in the combine pick-up games.  

So every NBA scout and GM will magically forget about Oregon and the other 30+ games of evidence, evaluate him solely on his friggin' shuttle time or some shit, and he'll become a lottery pick.  

It's simple. 

 

 

True Blue Grit

May 11th, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^

some NBA team assured DJ 100% he will be their first round pick.  But, I'm just having a difficult time believing that would be the case.  He just didn't show nearly enough consistency playing at a high level this season for some team to take that kind of risk.  The injury report sounds much more plausible.  

alum96

May 11th, 2017 at 2:11 PM ^

If I were his camp I'd float he is slightly injured so it didn't look like he ducking competition. Timing is way too perfect, healthy for individual workouts... suddenly dinged for 5 v 5s. Sorry going to take that with a major grain of salt.

uncle leo

May 11th, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^

I think it's one thing to miss the 5 on 5.

But this workout may have been a team that was intrigued by his potential and now may not be able to even take a flyer on him in the late first.

ijohnb

May 11th, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^

me, this kind of seems like it could be construed as evidence that he is packing up and heading back to campus.  I'm sure players are counseled by teams in this process, and it is entirely possible that Wilson has been told that it would be a very big mistake to come out right now. 

Players who go pro when they are not ready tend to have a difficult time recovering from it.  They either become typecast or they spend so much time trying to compensate for major weaknesses that they stop developing their strengths.  I am no NBA GM, but there was not one time this year that I was watching DJ play and thought to myself he is ready to play in the NBA. I think he has the potential to develop into an NBA player but I don't think he is right now.