Naji Marshall has declared for the NBA Draft

[Muskie]

According to Twitter. It says he is keeping his options open. But I believe this means he can't come back? Didn't he declare last year to get assessed? I thought you could only declare once and withdraw.

***Apparently this rule is an NBA rule.

[drudy23]

This isn't surprising - there was a 2% chance he was coming back.

[GoMuskies]

Good luck to Naji. At a minimum he should make a very nice living overseas.

[shucker]

Before 2016, the NCAA only allowed a player to enter the draft once without losing eligibility, but current NCAA rules now allow players to declare for and withdraw from multiple drafts while retaining college eligibility. The CBA allows a player to withdraw twice

[XUMIOH12]

Before 2016, the NCAA only allowed a player to enter the draft once without losing eligibility, but current NCAA rules now allow players to declare for and withdraw from multiple drafts while retaining college eligibility. The CBA allows a player to withdraw twice

right.

[xuphan]

right.

How many transfers do we need now?

[xavierj]

Naji won’t be back at Xavier regardless. If I had to guess I think it’s 50/50 that he plays pro vs college. He will either end up in the G League or Louisville or Maryland in my opinion. Scruggs will be back and I can see Xavier add a big guard who can score, rebound and defend as well as at least one PF. So two or three transfers to go with the rest of the guys who will be back.

[Xavier]

I am good with it. He could certainly carry us a lot next year but maybe at the detriment of future development. Another season of giving ball to Marshal and hoping he does something would be tough....and he really didn't show much ability to be strong off the ball. Again, he is a guy that could single handily beat a lot of teams, don't get me wrong. I think in the long run its better to develop the younger guys.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Naji won’t be back at Xavier regardless. If I had to guess I think it’s 50/50 that he plays pro vs college. He will either end up in the G League or Louisville or Maryland in my opinion. Scruggs will be back and I can see Xavier add a big guard who can score, rebound and defend as well as at least one PF. So two or three transfers to go with the rest of the guys who will be back.

The current rules still have to have him sit out a year if he transfers. Why in the world would he do that?

I think Naji stays in the draft but if he does withdraw he would only do so to come back to X.

Unless the rule changes this spring and he wants to transfer.

[principal]

The current rules still have to have him sit out a year if he transfers. Why in the world would he do that?

I think Naji stays in the draft but if he does withdraw he would only do so to come back to X.

Unless the rule changes this spring and he wants to transfer.

As a grad transfer he would not have to sit out a year.

[xavierj]

As a grad transfer he would not have to sit out a year.

I don't think he will be able to graduate in three years, but I do think they waive the rule by August.

[GoMuskies]

As a grad transfer he would not have to sit out a year.

Has he graduated?

[Masterofreality]

Not surprising.

Good luck to him.

[D-West & PO-Z]

As a grad transfer he would not have to sit out a year.

Naji graduated a year early?

[stammina0721]

Good luck to Naji. However his living will be overseas if he doesn't come back. There is just no way he can play in the league at his size without the ability to handle the rock at all. He won't be able to take it to the rack cause he will get ripped constantly. His shot isn't good enough to be a set shooter.

That leaves one role, defensive stalwart. This is his best way of making it in the league, but with his other deficiencies his defensive prowess doesn't make up the difference IMO.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Good luck to Naji. However his living will be overseas if he doesn't come back. There is just no way he can play in the league at his size without the ability to handle the rock at all. He won't be able to take it to the rack cause he will get ripped constantly. His shot isn't good enough to be a set shooter.

That leaves one role, defensive stalwart. This is his best way of making it in the league, but with his other deficiencies his defensive prowess doesn't make up the difference IMO.

None of which will really significantly improve if he comes back to X really. Maybe can show improved shooting? But honestly dont blame these guys for turning 22 and getting out to make money whether in the US or overseas.

[AviatorX]

I would not be surprised at all if Naji caught on a bit in the NBA, maybe not immediately, and I don't think he'll ever be anything close to a primary option, but I bet he will play in more than 100 NBA games.

[drudy23]

I would not be surprised at all if Naji caught on a bit in the NBA, maybe not immediately, and I don't think he'll ever be anything close to a primary option, but I bet he will play in more than 100 NBA games.

I'll take $20 on that.

[smileyy]

Naji, if he makes it to the NBA, will do it through the G-league. I trust them to develop his pro skills more than I do Xavier (no knock on Xavier). And yeah, he'd need to develop his shot to be a 3-and-D wing.

[Muskie in dayton]

As a grad transfer he would not have to sit out a year.

He just finished his junior year. He wouldn’t be a grad transfer, unless he graduated early.

[smileyy]

James Posey made a lot of money doing that.

[whopper]

I think it will be a great opportunity for Scruggs to be the man. If Odom is the primary point guard Paul can play off the ball, post, and defend. I swear he got at least one offensive foul a game due to the fact we was asked to handle ball too much and that hurt his effectiveness, ditto turnover trying to make a decision. If he was receiver and finisher he would be much more effective. I am hopeful that Carter will be more decisive knowing he just cant hand it back to Naj. Naj is a very good player, very talented but asked to do too much and he did not shy from it but it hurt his efficiency if not his numbers. Good luck to him and i really cant say a bad word about any departing player. I could see on their face their frustration and that includes Bryce Moore.

[IM4X]

I am good with it. He could certainly carry us a lot next year but maybe at the detriment of future development. Another season of giving ball to Marshal and hoping he does something would be tough....and he really didn't show much ability to be strong off the ball. Again, he is a guy that could single handily beat a lot of teams, don't get me wrong. I think in the long run its better to develop the younger guys.

I do not think it would necessarily be the same with Odom running the point (and Kyky) and other shooters and slashers on their way.

I would love to have him back as a senior, sticking to what he does best.

[smileyy]

I would love to have him back as a senior, sticking to what he does best.

I agree he'd be better off with a lower usage rate, but who the hell else was going to shoot the ball, who could get their own shot.

[Lloyd Braun]

Does Naji get drafted? I don’t think he does but he is the type of player that could get consideration from a team with a lot of 2nd rounders or g-league roster space.

[smileyy]

I'll buy a membership here if he gets drafted. And I'm saving money these days.

[Lloyd Braun]

I'll buy a membership here if he gets drafted. And I'm saving money these days.

Look at the last 10-15 guys drafted in the prior few drafts. There are a few Naji Marshalls in that group of guys. I guarantee 90%+ you have never heard of them... he’s a solid choice for G-league roster space. Nice measurables with high ceiling. Compared to a guy like Myles Powell.. low ceiling with poor measurables.

[smileyy]

He definitely has a spot in the G-League if he wants one.

[IM4X]

I agree he'd be better off with a lower usage rate, but who the hell else was going to shoot the ball, who could get their own shot.

Uh, you mean aside from Q and Moore? I kid.

Sort of.

I agree that Naji likely felt he had to do more this season, since there were not enough teammates stepping up. My point about sticking to what he does best is because he would have at least one more very good 3 point shooter next year (maybe more) which should open things up for him to drive a little more or hit a few more mid range jumpers. He would still be expected to take some 3s but not nearly as many should he come back from testing the NBA again.

People can say what they want, but X has a better chance of getting into the tournament and possibly having a deep run if he returns.

[XU 87]

Naji was arguably the team's best player, but despite all the good he did (and he did a lot of good), he also did a lot of bad (bad shots, bad turnovers etc.). His Kenpom rating was 100.6, which is actually a little below average (average is about 101). So based on his Kenpom number, how much of a loss is he to the team?

[xavierj]

Naji was arguably the team's best player, but despite all the good he did (and he did a lot of good), he also did a lot of bad (bad shots, bad turnovers etc.). His Kenpom rating was 100.6, which is actually a little below average (average is about 101). So based on his Kenpom number, how much of a loss is he to the team?

Naji was a great individual player. I liked watching him play because if you just watched him at times he made some great plays and was going a million miles per hour. With that said, he turned it on and off and was not engaged at all times and his play also hurt his team. There were a lot of times that he would start doing his thing and everyone just watched because they knew they were not getting the ball, Naji ball. All year if felt like something was missing and I think what was missing was a team playing as one. Playing for each other. I think there were a couple of guys that just played for themselves and not for the team. Naji scored a lot, he also shot 28% from 3 on five attempts a game, and turned the ball over a lot as well. If anything, I think next years team will be more of a team, will pass better and shoot better. Now I don't know what that means for wins and losses, but they will play different. My biggest concern is how the defense will be and where the rebounds will come from. They will have to rebound as a team. The good thing is I think the guards are all capable to rebound as well too. All tough, athletic type guys.

[stammina0721]

None of which will really significantly improve if he comes back to X really. Maybe can show improved shooting? But honestly dont blame these guys for turning 22 and getting out to make money whether in the US or overseas.

No it won't. I'm not making the comment hoping he comes back I'm just saying what I saw on the court. Let's be real the man is going to get paid good money to play a game. It's just not going to be at the highest level. Not saying he won't get there eventually but IMO it's not going to be next season

[sirthought]

Right now I think there is a chance that the NBA might not even have a draft this year. Sounds crazy, but I can't see them trying to have work outs, interviews, etc with everyone as usual. Summer ball is likely off. They might not even start the season at normal time.

Europe is in the same boat we are. In fact, lockdowns are even more strict, so I bet the smaller basketball leagues are in real financial trouble if they can't attract fans to games.

Marshall might not be playing hoops for a while.