Arizona Loses 5 Star Recruit

[Cheesehead]

I fully expect more and more players doing this to avoid college and work around the NBA rules:


Five-star recruit Terrance Ferguson will not enroll at Arizona and will instead head overseas to play professionally.

"Terrance Ferguson informed me earlier this week that he has decided to pursue professional opportunities instead of attending the University of Arizona this fall," Wildcats coach Sean Miller said Thursday in a release. "I hope this next chapter of his basketball career goes well, and his goal of one day becoming an NBA player is realized."

Ferguson had long been rumored to be considering a move overseas, following in the footsteps of Emmanuel Mudiay, who played for one season in China before entering the NBA draft. Ferguson attended Dallas' Advanced Prep International, formerly known as Prime Prep -- where Mudiay also went to high school.

There hasn't been an official announcement on where Ferguson will play, but reports over the past few weeks have him pegged for Australia.

Expect Ferguson to be in the lottery mix for the 2017 NBA draft. A long, athletic wing with deep range on his outside jumper, Ferguson also impresses with his ability to defend multiple positions.

The 6-foot-7 Ferguson was ranked No. 11 in the ESPN 100 and named a McDonald's All American. He was the highlight of Miller's No. 3-ranked recruiting class -- a group that also included five-star point guard Kobi Simmons, five-star small forward Rawle Alkins and five-star Finnish power forward Lauri Markkanen. Without Ferguson, Miller still has more than enough wings for his rotation, with Alkins joining Allonzo Trier and Ray Smith.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

He has had academic issues his entire recruitment. This wasn't a surprise at all. The bigger surprises to me have been whether Maker is really just 18 and the same for Azuibike, the big going to KU. That kid absolutely looks 25.

[GoMuskies]

Awww...that's just too bad.

[Cheesehead]

As a Bucks fan, I agree on Maker. I am also doubting his age.

[Xville]

I'm surprised that more of these kids aren't doing the exact same thing....I mean if you are a top 10 guy, why bother going to college for a year? I mean what's the point really? Why go to class when instead you can go play overseas, live in a cool new country for a year, make some decent coin, and then get drafted?

If I had been blessed with that kind of talent, and height, it'd be pretty damn hard to pass on going overseas for a year.

[bigdiggins]

I'm surprised that more of these kids aren't doing the exact same thing....I mean if you are a top 10 guy, why bother going to college for a year? I mean what's the point really? Why go to class when instead you can go play overseas, live in a cool new country for a year, make some decent coin, and then get drafted?

If I had been blessed with that kind of talent, and height, it'd be pretty damn hard to pass on going overseas for a year.

This was going to be the trend when Brandon Jennings did it. Didn't happen then, don't see why now would be any different if the young men can qualify.

[ArizonaXUGrad]

The real issue is that the player 'can' gain a lot from playing at college. It helps their brand immensely if it's done properly.

On Ferguson, he went to Neon Deon's Prime Prep. It just got a name change that's all.

[MADXSTER]

I really don't think that it will become a trend since most kids don't go more than 5 hours away from home when going to college. At the same time I think that most of us with more experience wouldn't give it a second thought.

[Xville]

The real issue is that the player 'can' gain a lot from playing at college. It helps their brand immensely if it's done properly.

On Ferguson, he went to Neon Deon's Prime Prep. It just got a name change that's all.

Hmmm I'd have to disagree for a top 10 kid. The only thing that can happen is that his brand could go down if he gets exposed by the college game. Take someone like Cheick Diallo for instance who was a top 10 kid, then got exposed and got drafted in the second round or Skal or any other name out there. I think its actually a safer bet money-wise and draft pick wise to go overseas because they will still have the "potential" label in case thy don't dominate overseas.

However, I don't see this becoming a trend...I just don't see why it hasn't...maybe it has more to do with behind the scenes promises with AAU coaches, sneaker companies etc. Everyone has their hand in the cookie jar and they want to get paid.

[GoMuskies]

And now they're in danger of losing the College World Series. Bad day.

[kane79]

Why isn't this a bigger trend? My first thought would be its a professional league, its business, traveling on your off days, practices, hotel rooms or your apartment each night, not a vacation sight seeing everyday. In college you have practices and classes, but your still with a bunch of kids your own age at night playing video games, goofing of and whatever else kids do in the dorms nowadays. Yes you make a little money, but its still a job at that point and who wants to grow up any sooner than necessary and start working? Is this all the case? who knows but thats how i see it at first thought.




Hmmm I'd have to disagree for a top 10 kid. The only thing that can happen is that his brand could go down if he gets exposed by the college game. Take someone like Cheick Diallo for instance who was a top 10 kid, then got exposed and got drafted in the second round or Skal or any other name out there. I think its actually a safer bet money-wise and draft pick wise to go overseas because they will still have the "potential" label in case thy don't dominate overseas.

However, I don't see this becoming a trend...I just don't see why it hasn't...maybe it has more to do with behind the scenes promises with AAU coaches, sneaker companies etc. Everyone has their hand in the cookie jar and they want to get paid.

[GoMuskies]

I'm with you. I think a one year unpaid internship at Kentucky "hanging around" college girls with no actual academic pressure and playing in front of enthusiastic crowds while waiting for your multi-million contract beats the hell out of playing in a half-ass pro league with nice (but inconsequential compared to what's coming) money and kind of a shitty working environment for an 18 year old. I'd choose the college route any day.

[Juice]

Mudiay and Jennings only went over seas because there was a question if they would be eligible to play in college. I don't think it's more of a thing now because it's a huge decision to move away from your family to a strange country, let alone a new state, for an entire year without knowing the language and without knowing anyone else.

[xu82]

If a kid hates school that much or needs the money that badly, it's an option. Otherwise, I see the appeal of picking your school where you can be BMOC for a year. You should be able to pay for your own world travels soon enough.

[Muskie]

I'm surprised that more of these kids aren't doing the exact same thing....I mean if you are a top 10 guy, why bother going to college for a year? I mean what's the point really? Why go to class when instead you can go play overseas, live in a cool new country for a year, make some decent coin, and then get drafted?

If I had been blessed with that kind of talent, and height, it'd be pretty damn hard to pass on going overseas for a year.

That assumes of course that it actually pans out and you don't hurt your draft stock by playing poorly or getting injured.

[xu82]

That assumes of course that it actually pans out and you don't hurt your draft stock by playing poorly or getting injured.

Of course this is true, but it could happen regardless of where you play. The difference may be how grueling the schedule is and the opportunity for injury. College has a pretty limited schedule.

[Xville]

That assumes of course that it actually pans out and you don't hurt your draft stock by playing poorly or getting injured.

This is my point though...if it doesn't work first year of college, you are exposed...look at skal..top 5 pick last year, gets exposed and barely gets in first round. If you go overseas and don't play well...agents and those around the player can choose any type of number of excuses; homesick, bad coaching, didn't know language etc....can definitely still use the well there is potential there.

[GoMuskies]

Skal was abysmally, tragically, historically awful for someone with his hype. He was drafted in the first round. I don't think the college risk is too high.

[bobbiemcgee]

Mudiay and Jennings only went over seas because there was a question if they would be eligible to play in college. I don't think it's more of a thing now because it's a huge decision to move away from your family to a strange country, let alone a new state, for an entire year without knowing the language and without knowing anyone else.

I dunno. Mudiay got 1.2 million from China, a fat shoe contract in 2014 from Under Armour and 8.1 million from the Nuggets. Poor baby.

[xu82]

I dunno. He got 1.2 million from China, a fat shoe contract in 2014 from Under Armour and 8.1 million from the Nuggets. Poor baby.

I'm a little shorter, and a little older, but I'll make myself available for that deal for a year. I'll even bring my own masks.

[Juice]

I dunno. Mudiay got 1.2 million from China, a fat shoe contract in 2014 from Under Armour and 8.1 million from the Nuggets. Poor baby.

I wasn't saying that anyone should feel sorry for him because he and his family made the poor decision to attend Prime Prep and therefore jeopardize his grade and eligibility in college. All I'm saying is that it's a pretty big deal for an 18 year old to go to a foreign country with little or no family support, and with no other Americans/English speaking people to be around.

[MuskieCinci]

I don't really see this ever becoming the trend either, at least not in the near future. I don't think these kids are going over to play in the very best European leagues for a year. Why the hell would a good team in one of the best Euro leagues sign an 18 year old who is probably going to just be OK at best and help develop them just for them to leave in a year? Playing in a crappy league where these guys can actually be stars isn't going to help their development nearly as much as picking a top US team in a top tier league, with far FAR better coaching, accommodations, and facilities than 95% of other professional leagues.

If this somehow does become a trend I wouldn't be surprised if the NBA made another rule change that somehow clamps down on it so they can continue to use the American college system as a free minor league for easier evaluations.

[DoubleD86]

I don't think either will become a trend, but if one does I think it will be the Prep School route that Thon Maker took. Graduate from High School, go to a cush prep school where you are pretty much guaranteed to still dominate and not hurt your stock, enter the draft one year removed from your HS grad year. It is an almost no risk choice (barring injury) where you still get to be a kid and be in America.

The only advantage college has is if you go and dominate, your advertising brand is stronger from Day 1.

Disclaimer: This is only for the top 5 or so guys who would be considered lottery picks if they could go straight from HS. Everyone else there is obviously much more upside in going to college.