MBB as many as 6 NBA players

Submitted by Alumnus93 on

This is quite remarkable...  18 months ago, many M fans were calling for Beilein's head... before you scoff at that statement, go look back. It is true. 

Now, the remarkable part is that 18 months later, we're ranked #1, and Beilein may have as many as SIX  NBA players on the roster.

Burke

Robinson  

Hardaway

McGary

Stauskas  .....    don't scoff at this one... he is a true freshman that is showing some elite skills... if he has an above-average trajectory in his overall game the remaining three years, then he should/will make it.

Horford    .....   he is still not fully matured...still looks like a kid... the metamorphosis may come this offseason....    it is in his genes with his father and brother in the NBA, so Im putting this at 50/50     

Beilein is showing astounding talent evaluation, especially now with the uptick in the program, which bodes incredibly well for incomers like Zak Irvin and Derrick Walton.

Hoooooo---wweeeeeeee........ is the future bright for mens' basketball.

 

 

jmdblue

January 29th, 2013 at 12:43 PM ^

within one or two recruiting classes all the M players will become NBA All-stars.

Legitimately....Burke looks like an NBA starter, maybe a lot more.  Stauskas looks like he has a role to play.  Hardaway and Robinson look like they'll be drafted and will get their opportunity, but there just aren't many jobs in that league so who knows.  Too early to tell anything about McGary.  Horford has a long way to go.

remdog

January 29th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^

I generally agree but would differ in a few respects.  First of all, Stauskas is already looking like an NBA caliber player.  He doesn't need an "above-average trajectory" from here.  He's 6'6", one of the best 5 or so pure shooters in the NCAA and he's very good off the dribble as well.  He has all the tools already.  He's not a sure thing but I wouldn't bet against him.  As for Horford, he no longer looks "like a kid."  He's already matured into an NBA type body.  I think he has a high ceiling as well since he's showing very good athleticism and good finishes around the basket to add to his above average rebounding and blocking skills.  If he gets more minutes, I think he will continue to shine.  I wouldn't be surprised if he's a late round NBA pick or makes a team undrafted.  I would also add Levert as a possibility.  He's physically grown quite a bit in the past year.  His combination of height, ballhandling and athleticism gives him a high ceiling as well.  Under Beilein's tutelage, I think he may ultimately have a shot after at least 3 years.  It will be interesting to see these players develop further.

A2MIKE

January 29th, 2013 at 11:23 AM ^

but that would have been 24 months ago that people started questioning Beilein, and remember that team started big ten play as follows:

Blowout Loss at home v Purdue

Win at home v Penn State

Loss @ Wisconsin

Loss at home v Kansas

Loss at home v Ohio State

Loss @ Indiana

Loss @ Northwestern

Loss at home v Minnesota

 

Purdue and Minnesota were top 20 teams.  Ohio and Kansas were top 5 teams.  And then they lost 3 road games with a young team in the big ten.  I really don't remember anyone calling for his head.  Some people were questioning his philosophies, which at that point is probably justified.  I do remember a lot of people saying stay the course and what not that our schedule to start was brutal, and it was.

Darth Wolverine

January 29th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ^

I actually don't think the future is as bright as people think...that is if our star players leave early, which I think they will. I think it's a foregone conclusion that Burke, Hardaway, and Robinson will all declare for the draft. I hate it, but it will more than likely happen. This is why we need to win it all this year.

Soulfire21

January 29th, 2013 at 12:01 PM ^

What impresses me is Beilein's scouting ability - to take talent that goes largely unnoticed, extend that Michigan offer, and watch as recruiting ranking services go ga ga over the kid.  Then turn them into POY candidates when they do get on the court.

I WAS THERE

January 29th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^

Guys like Daniel Horton, LaVelle Blanchard, Josh Asseiln, Bernard Robinson Jr., Courtney Sims, Brent Petway, Manny Harris etc...all had NBA "potential" but can't sniff a NBA roster...

UMaD

January 29th, 2013 at 12:23 PM ^

1. GR3 - size and athleticism, skill rounding into form. K.Leonard with more bounce.  NBA skill: defense.

2. Burke - a slower but tougher Mike Conley.  NBA skill: ball handling/leadership

3. THJ  - all around game, needs to develop elite D.  A.Afflalo but skinnier.  NBA skill: ???

4. Horford - needs to add strength and a consistent J - very doable. Al.  NBA skill: rebounding

5. McGary - short arms, not especially athletic.  Hansborough without the offensive repetoire.  NBA skill:  hustle?

6. LaVert - long way off but potential is there.  Poor man's Jamal Crawford, but smarter.  NBA skill: creating own shot

7. Stauskas - can he defend anyone?  Closer to Diebler than Korver.  NBA skill: duh.

8.  McLimans - stretch 4s are very popular.  NBA skill:  Just kidding.

9.  Bartelstein - #s1-7 are gonna need an agent.  NBA skill: connections

Braylon 5 Hour…

January 29th, 2013 at 1:43 PM ^

I love the enthusiasm surrounding the team right now; it's crazy how quickly things have changed.  We have really come a long way in terms of getting talent in here, but I really think it's way too early to evaluate any of our freshmen as players.  I don't think we've really got a good sense of how much GR3 can develop offensively in terms of becoming a guy who can create his own shot and be a go to guy.  At this point he's rated within the top 20-25 prospects (conservatively) on a lot of the mock drafts and top prospects lists.  We just haven't seen a very large sample size of any of these guys.  Hardaway at this point is projected as a late 2nd round pick, which doesn't even result in a guaranteed contract.  My focus at this point is just hoping these guys all develop and stay at Michigan as many years as possible.  We can cheer them on in their opportunities for the NBA when that time comes (and Trey will likely be first up).