Come back: Colby, Jerome, Zack and Jack

[IM4X]

Adam Baum asked Jack, Colby and Jerome if they were coming back, after the Sweet Sixteen loss. He said all of them said they had not decided yet and that they needed to talk it over with their family before they made a decision. I know there are other options out there, but I just want a thread to let those four veterans with eligibility left to know we are grateful for all they they have done and we want them back for more. Another crack at the Final Four.

Along with the incoming freshman class and a few transfers, they can do it.

[OTRMUSKIE]

Well Cintas brings in over 300 MM net profit per quarter. Over 1bn a year in net profit. I say they could afford to pay these guys 400, 300, 200 ea. throw a Cintas patch on their jersey(which is coming soon, I’m sure) and we will be fantastic. Can you Theo your name in the portal and back out?

[Final4]

Well Cintas brings in over 300 MM net profit per quarter. Over 1bn a year in net profit. I say they could afford to pay these guys 400, 300, 200 ea. throw a Cintas patch on their jersey(which is coming soon, I’m sure) and we will be fantastic. Can you Theo your name in the portal and back out?

Bob Kohlhepp is no longer at Cintas and Scott Farmer and Todd Schneider may be more inclined to send money up Rt.27 to Oxford.

[Xville]

They gave the political answer. Only one coming back is Jerome.

[drudy23]

Bob Kohlhepp is no longer at Cintas and Scott Farmer and Todd Schneider may be more inclined to send money up Rt.27 to Oxford.

For real?

So these three were in the Steele camp? Why?

Could we be looking at naming rights coming up soon?

P&G Center has a nice ring to it. I know past CEO Lafley used to be a season ticket holder, I used to see him all the time.

[Final4]

For real?

So these three were in the Steele camp? Why?

Could we be looking at naming rights coming up soon?

P&G Center has a nice ring to it. I know past CEO Lafley used to be a season ticket holder, I used to see him all the time.

No Kohlhepp is a Xavier guy but the other two are Miami graduates.

[drudy23]

No Kohlhepp is a Xavier guy but the other two are Miami graduates.

Ah, that's much less intriguing.

Does Cintas have a certain year deal for naming? Or is it that forever?

[Masterofreality]

And KyKy has entered the Portal

[Masterofreality]

For real?

So these three were in the Steele camp? Why?

Could we be looking at naming rights coming up soon?

P&G Center has a nice ring to it. I know past CEO Lafley used to be a season ticket holder, I used to see him all the time.

I’d love to call Cintas “The Ice House”!!
C’mon Sedlers!

[atljar]

Cesare Edwards in the portal
Elijah Tucker in the portal
KyKy Tandy too
Dieonte miles too

[xu82]

Cesare Edwards in the portal
Elijah Tucker in the portal
KyKy Tandy too
Dieonte miles too

EVERYONE in the Portal Pool!!!

It’s amazing how things have changed over the years. Who remember when freshmen couldn’t play? I barely remember that. Fast forward a few decades and it’s the Wild Wild West, building almost a new team every season. It’s a new game for these coaches. I can understand why Jay Wright decided to chill and do some TV work.

[Xavier]

They gave the political answer. Only one coming back is Jerome.

I actually think it’s more likely hunter moves on than Jack or Freemantle come back.

[Xville]

I actually think it’s more likely hunter moves on than Jack or Freemantle come back.

Interesting. Why? Jerome was finally coached properly and my assumption is that he appreciated that. I’d be absolutely shocked if he left.

[muskiefan82]

Anyone think Elijah Tucker goes to Georgia State?

[Xavier]

Interesting. Why? Jerome was finally coached properly and my assumption is that he appreciated that. I’d be absolutely shocked if he left.

Just a gut feel. Assuming all the guys he was friends with and went through the downs with are leaving. He did mention spending offseason shooting 3s to work on his game but the “keeping head up high, we brought Xavier back” felt more like a him and All the guys moving on (Jack/free/Kunkel) did their job/accomplished their goal and brought X back. Again just gut feel and with all turnover I wouldn’t be surprised.

End of day I’d still expect him back but just won’t be surprised if he moved on either.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Anyone think Elijah Tucker goes to Georgia State?

I wonder the same about all the guys transferring.

[xu82]

I wonder the same about all the guys transferring.

I could go to college Xavier Alumni games!

[UCGRAD4X]

I actually think it’s more likely hunter moves on than Jack or Freemantle come back.

Maybe he thinks his "value" is a great now as it might get and he's looking for a deal. Hope not. If he comes back, at least starting out, "he be the man!"

[Olsingledigit]

Maybe he thinks his "value" is a great now as it might get and he's looking for a deal. Hope not. If he comes back, at least starting out, "he be the man!"

I guess we are in the “rent a player” phase of college basketball.

[OTRMUSKIE]

If you start losing players that start and star at a major college and it’s all over money, college hoops is done. I mean there is zero reason for Hunter to leave , zero. Unless it’s money on which case pull their scholarship and tell them they can
Pay their own way. I thought this NIL was about having money to spend since it
Wasn’t too long athletes couldn’t work at all. Of course it will make Cinderella even better when They beat a team with a 10mm payroll.

[paulxu]

I guess we are in the “rent a player” phase of college basketball.

I read where "Bronnie's" NIL will be 7.2 million.
We need some big donor to step up.

[muskiefan82]

I read where "Bronnie's" NIL will be 7.2 million.
We need some big donor to step up.

Step up to pay him to NOT come here and keep Lebron far away from X

[D-West & PO-Z]

I read where "Bronnie's" NIL will be 7.2 million.
We need some big donor to step up.

Is, not will be. Bronny already has those deals with Nike and others due to his dad. Bronny might actually be the one big time recruit who won't give a shit what school has the most NIL deals set up. He is already making millions.

[BigMoeMusketeer]

Is, not will be. Bronny already has those deals with Nike and others due to his dad. Bronny might actually be the one big time recruit who won't give a shit what school has the most NIL deals set up. He is already making millions.

When your dad is a Billionaire, are you really choosing a college because of the money / NIL deal? I can't imagine. NIKE would pay him, one way or the other, if he went to Fordham, I think we can keep Bronny in the "outlier" category.

Honestly, as a side-bar, I can't even imagine the circus that will follow Bronny and his college teammates if he goes that route; no thanks.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Yeah I agree, no thanks as well. I mean it brings your school/team a lot of notoriety, but he gets 5 star one and done treatment but he isn't actually one and done talent. He might go one and done but he wouldn't have been a McD AA if his last name wasn't James.

Every game he plays will be discussed on First Take or whatever other show is on. Coach didn't play him down the stretch? Why? He didn't play enough mins, or whatever.

Bronny could be a great kid, I have no idea, but probably not worth the headache from the media circus that will follow.

[MHettel]

I'm thinking that Lebron knows that his kid will need to play college for one year at least until he can go to the NBA. If I'm Lebron, I'm advising him to go to the best possible COACH there is at this level. NOT a guy like Cal that just throws a ball out there and lets them run. He'll want to play for a coach that can get players ready for the NBA, and has an emphasis and specific understanding of the PG position.

Cant think of any of those guys....

yeah, I'd take Bronny in a MINUTE. Why would leading off Sportcenter every night POSSIBLY be a bad thing? Bronny will attract talent like a magnet. Game changer.

[drudy23]

Bronny will likely make a roster because of his dad, but imo, he's not a lock NBA player at all. His game doesn't jump off the page at you.

My guess is that Bronny's path to the NBA will be through when LeBron becomes the majority owner of a team in the next 2-5 years.

[paulxu]

We're a Nike Team.
Come on down Bronnie !

[D-West & PO-Z]

Bronny will likely make a roster because of his dad, but imo, he's not a lock NBA player at all. His game doesn't jump off the page at you.

My guess is that Bronny's path to the NBA will be through when LeBron becomes the majority owner of a team in the next 2-5 years.

LeBron wants to play with his son. Bronny's path to the NBA is for a team who wants LeBron to come play for them, to draft Bronny.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I'm thinking that Lebron knows that his kid will need to play college for one year at least until he can go to the NBA. If I'm Lebron, I'm advising him to go to the best possible COACH there is at this level. NOT a guy like Cal that just throws a ball out there and lets them run. He'll want to play for a coach that can get players ready for the NBA, and has an emphasis and specific understanding of the PG position.

Cant think of any of those guys....

yeah, I'd take Bronny in a MINUTE. Why would leading off Sportcenter every night POSSIBLY be a bad thing? Bronny will attract talent like a magnet. Game changer.

If the coach doesnt care, I guess it could be big notoriety for the school.

However, there is a reason Bronny doesnt have an offer from a single blue blood school, despite being an McDonalds AA.

And if he is leaving after 1 year, who else is he going to attract to come? The rest of the class is pretty much signed, and new recruits won't get to play with him.

[bobbiemcgee]

Did well in the All Star Game. 5 for 8 from 3.

[drudy23]

LeBron wants to play with his son. Bronny's path to the NBA is for a team who wants LeBron to come play for them, to draft Bronny.

Who wants to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick for a 40 year old Lebron to play for one year?

No one is going to do that. Those picks are too valuable.

Lebron may "make" them sign him as a FA as part of the deal, but if I'm a GM, there's no way I'm giving up draft picks for a 4o year old just so he can play catch with his son.

[MHettel]

Who wants to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick for a 40 year old Lebron to play for one year?

No one is going to do that. Those picks are too valuable.

Lebron may "make" them sign him as a FA as part of the deal, but if I'm a GM, there's no way I'm giving up draft picks for a 4o year old just so he can play catch with his son.

I'd like to see the Lakers receive just a single first round pick for Lebron, and then have the Lakers use that pick to draft Bronny before Lebrons new team could. That would be epic.

[noteggs]

Yeah I agree, no thanks as well. I mean it brings your school/team a lot of notoriety, but he gets 5 star one and done treatment but he isn't actually one and done talent. He might go one and done but he wouldn't have been a McD AA if his last name wasn't James.

Every game he plays will be discussed on First Take or whatever other show is on. Coach didn't play him down the stretch? Why? He didn't play enough mins, or whatever.

Bronny could be a great kid, I have no idea, but probably not worth the headache from the media circus that will follow.

Completely agree on McDonalds stuff after watching game last night. Also most recruiting sites doesn’t have him in a spot where he deserves to be there in first place.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Who wants to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick for a 40 year old Lebron to play for one year?

No one is going to do that. Those picks are too valuable.

Lebron may "make" them sign him as a FA as part of the deal, but if I'm a GM, there's no way I'm giving up draft picks for a 4o year old just so he can play catch with his son.

Do you follow thew NBA? The draft picks are generally pretty worthless outside of the lottery. 2nd round picks are certainly not worth anything. Where you see NFL teams hold onto their 1st round picks with a death grip (see Jets not wanting to trade even 1 for Rodgers and no one trading any for Lamar) NBA teams pass them out like candy.

And despite the age there are plenty of teams who'd want LeBron at that point. He'd sell tickets and probably still be pretty talented.

[drudy23]

I hope every team deliberately doesn't draft him because I'm sure LeBron will start demanding things at some point. And then it will be so much fun to watch him whine.

I don't think it will be much of an issue as I don't think Bronny will be good enough to even be in the conversation, unless he grows about 3-4 more inches.

[smileyy]

Do you follow thew NBA? The draft picks are generally pretty worthless outside of the lottery.

And even less valuable outside the top 2-3. This year is a two-player draft at the top. The rest is a crapshoot.

[GoMuskies]

Utah has approximately a million first round draft picks over the next several years. I want them to draft Bronny so we can watch Lebron's head explode.

[xu9697]

100% support Colby leaving, but dang will I miss his game.

[IM4X]

100% support Colby leaving, but dang will I miss his game.

Bummer about Colby. I wish he’d stay. but I wish him well all the same.

[xudash]

Thank you, Colby Jones. You are a class act. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

[XUBob]

Best of luck to Colby. I know you can declare and test the waters but his thank you message is clear/ he’s gone.

[Xville]

Wish him all the best and hope he gets that guaranteed contract. I don’t see it, but I’m not an nba scout.

[xu9697]

Wish him all the best and hope he gets that guaranteed contract. I don’t see it, but I’m not an nba scout.

I would think he gets a 2 way salary, which I believe can get up to $500,000 per year. If not, he'll make bank in Europe.

[MHettel]

Colby will be a first round pick. Very versatile, can defend multiple positions, good size & strength, mature and solid character. He's a rotation player in year 1, and possibly a starting wing down the road. Thats what you are looking for at the back end of teh first round.

[X-band '01]

Potential late first-rounder; he should land with a contender if that's the case.

Best of luck Colby!

[Masterofreality]

Good for Colby.
I hope he gets the bag he wants.
What a thrill to see him play since his game winning three vs Providence in 2020.
Make us proud CJ!

[Xville]

Colby will be a first round pick. Very versatile, can defend multiple positions, good size & strength, mature and solid character. He's a rotation player in year 1, and possibly a starting wing down the road. Thats what you are looking for at the back end of teh first round.

Starting wing? At 6’6 which really means he is 6’5 when he’s measured by the nba? Have you watched the nba in the last ten years?

I hope Colby makes it, seems like a great kid but I don’t see the athleticism that is needed at that height in the nba to ever be a starter but he could certainly be a bench player. ANaji was an athletic freak in college and he looks like just a regular dude in the nba

Heck though, if he ends up drafted in the first round and is smart with money, he’s set for life anyways.

Good luck to him and hope he kills it

[xavierj]

Starting wing? At 6’6 which really means he is 6’5 when he’s measured by the nba? Have you watched the nba in the last ten years?

I hope Colby makes it, seems like a great kid but I don’t see the athleticism that is needed at that height in the nba to ever be a starter but he could certainly be a bench player. ANaji was an athletic freak in college and he looks like just a regular dude in the nba

Heck though, if he ends up drafted in the first round and is smart with money, he’s set for life anyways.

Good luck to him and hope he kills it

You don’t declare and say you are not coming back unless you get overwhelming feedback you are getting paid in the NBA. In addition, Sean I am sure met with him and Sean knows what he is getting into as well. If he was told he might get paid, he would have kept the door open. He is going to get paid.

[MHettel]

Starting wing? At 6’6 which really means he is 6’5 when he’s measured by the nba? Have you watched the nba in the last ten years?

I hope Colby makes it, seems like a great kid but I don’t see the athleticism that is needed at that height in the nba to ever be a starter but he could certainly be a bench player. ANaji was an athletic freak in college and he looks like just a regular dude in the nba

Heck though, if he ends up drafted in the first round and is smart with money, he’s set for life anyways.

Good luck to him and hope he kills it

Yes, I watch a lot of NBA. And I won’t take exception to your tone, and I’ll clarify.

Belive it or not, defense is played in the NBA. And there is a premium on defensive versatility. Colby can guard 1-3 in the NBA. 2/3s are generally considered “wings”. Colby can’t shoot like a 2, and doesn’t have the size of a 3, but he’s got a little of each and there is a spot for him. Every team has a Colby Jones.

[Xville]

Yes, I watch a lot of NBA. And I won’t take exception to your tone, and I’ll clarify.

Belive it or not, defense is played in the NBA. And there is a premium on defensive versatility. Colby can guard 1-3 in the NBA. 2/3s are generally considered “wings”. Colby can’t shoot like a 2, and doesn’t have the size of a 3, but he’s got a little of each and there is a spot for him. Every team has a Colby Jones.

Fair enough. Like I said, I don’t see it and think he’s an average defender at the collegiate level so I don’t know how that’s going to translate at the next level.

I make it sound like I think he sucks, and that’s not it at all. I think he’s a great college player and a great person, I just am not seeing what scouts are seeing. You’re right in that he’s versatile and can do a little bit of everything, and maybe that’s enough for him at the next level.

Hopefully he ends up with an org that knows wtf they are doing.

[Xavier]

There was a stretch where he and boum were playing great. It was in that stretch I thought I could finally see why he’s an NBA prospect/1st rounder. Miller challenged him all year to be more aggressive. When he was he showed what he could be- just felt like he never wanted to take over. He’s a classic guy (out of a few great games) where you’d never think he took over but look at the stats after and see everything he did.

[XUBison]

Fair enough. Like I said, I don’t see it and think he’s an average defender at the collegiate level so I don’t know how that’s going to translate at the next level.

I make it sound like I think he sucks, and that’s not it at all. I think he’s a great college player and a great person, I just am not seeing what scouts are seeing. You’re right in that he’s versatile and can do a little bit of everything, and maybe that’s enough for him at the next level.

Hopefully he ends up with an org that knows wtf they are doing.

I sort of agree. He’s not super explosive. Maybe he’s actually as tall and long as he plays. Naji’s physical prowess seemed more prototypical NBA.

[JTG]

I sort of agree. He’s not super explosive. Maybe he’s actually as tall and long as he plays. Naji’s physical prowess seemed more prototypical NBA.

I think Colby is definitely more basketball smart than Naji, which might make up for physical differences.

[Masterofreality]

I think Colby is definitely more basketball smart than Naji, which might make up for physical differences.

So, you’re saying he’s a “Coach on the Floor”, a “Glue Guy”, a “Guy who makes his Teammates Better”, a “High Basketball IQ Guy”?? ;-)

[UCGRAD4X]

So, you’re saying he’s a “Coach on the Floor”, a “Glue Guy”, a “Guy who makes his Teammates Better”, a “High Basketball IQ Guy”?? ;-)

But is he a "Swiss Army Knife". Critical.

[XUBison]

I think Colby is definitely more basketball smart than Naji, which might make up for physical differences.

Oh, I agree, but I don’t usually think the NBA cares. I mean, if all things equal, of course they will take the smarter player, but I usually think The NBA wants to coach up the better athlete. That’s why I wonder if maybe we’re not giving Colby enough credit for his size and athletic ability.

Maybe this just begs the real question, why the hell wasn’t Naji a first round draft pick? Damn youSteele!

[XUBison]

But is he a "Swiss Army Knife". Critical.

Ummm, yes. You must not watch the games. Everyone says so. :)

[drudy23]

Yes, I watch a lot of NBA. And I won’t take exception to your tone, and I’ll clarify.

Belive it or not, defense is played in the NBA. And there is a premium on defensive versatility. Colby can guard 1-3 in the NBA. 2/3s are generally considered “wings”. Colby can’t shoot like a 2, and doesn’t have the size of a 3, but he’s got a little of each and there is a spot for him. Every team has a Colby Jones.

I don't disagree with your assessment on a couple of roster players focused on defense. But is Colby that guy? We were pretty awful from a defensive standpoint at pretty much every position.

[IM4X]

Edit:

Moved this post to another thread.