Augustin: "I'm definitely coming back"
by goingforthecorner
on Feb 23, 2008 7:48 PM CST
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/conte...
D.J. Augustin, Texas’ talented sophomore point guard, said after the Longhorns’ win over Oklahoma on Saturday that he will return to school for his junior season.
"I’m definitely coming back," Augustin said. "I’m not even looking at stuff like that. I’m not looking at any awards or the NBA."
Even though OU coach Jeff Capel mentioned that Augustin should start receiving mention for national Player of the Year, the Longhorn said he doesn’t care about that. All he wants to do is become an academic All-American. He carried a 4.0 grade-point average in the fall as an education major.
"In my mind, the only award I care about is the Academic All-American," Augustin said. "I like all my classes."
Sorry DJ, but I still don't believe anything you just said, seeing that Durant, Charles, etc. said similar things. I believe DJ's parents are in a healthy financial situation, and perhaps they are encouraging DJ to stay in school, but I'm still not going to count on him coming back.
Obviously, this would be huge if he did come back. I think his decision will also have an affect on James' decision of going pro. I don't think if you're Damion that you go pro if you know you can definitely win a championship the next season with Augustin coming back.
God... next year if those two come back. Possibly having Brown and Dogus backing up DJ, with Abrams and Atchley in their senior seasons, an improved Mason, Pittman, Hill, etc... wow. We could be the next Florida and win back to back championships!
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DJ
While Charles and Durant both seemed to make purely basketball an football decisions (ie how much would it help to stay in school vs where do I stand right now in terms of draft position), DJ genuinely seems focused on getting an education. I think he stays
by HornsNation on Feb 23, 2008 7:58 PM CST 0 recs
Very encouraging
It's great to hear him say these things. He seems to be a good example of being a true student-athlete (student first). He sets a fine example for everyone else on the team.
However, I think he will change his tune once the season is over and all the draft gurus and agents and possible endorsers start whispering in his ear. Especially if he finishes the season the way he's played the last week, he will surely be a lottery or top 10 pick.
If he does come back, though, look out for Texas....
by BigTexBD on Feb 23, 2008 8:10 PM CST 0 recs
Everyone says this
It doesn't really change things. So many people say that and then leave. My hunch is that he leaves, but he might stay...
by mmorales11 on Feb 23, 2008 8:39 PM CST 0 recs
Bringing up TJ Ford again...
TJ said the same thing during his sophomore year and bolted.
However, I think it's more likely DJ stays. I wouldn't start making Florida comparisons just yet, as we have a long way to go to win a national championship and if we did win it the two DJ's would be more inclined to bolt for the NBA.
by longhorn00 on Feb 23, 2008 10:37 PM CST 0 recs
Well
TJ meant it until an injury scared him into going into the draft. I would love DJ to come back, but whether that's the best choice for him personally is something only he can determine. I certainly wouldn't fault him for taking off.
by Meekrob on
Feb 24, 2008 1:12 AM CST
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Good point
That was scary, and TJ made a good choice. DJ's a good student and is going to graduate no matter what, and Barnes is the kind of coach that will give players advice based on what's best for them instead of what's best for the team.
If we go far in the tourney and DJ is a sure-shot lottery pick I think Barnes will advise him to go pro and pick up his degree later. This doesn't mean he'll definitely do it, as there are several reasons for remaining a collegiate player for a year:
(1) as you already mentioned, he has not had any threat of a career ending injury
(2) He's short, and will have a much harder time scoring in the paint in the NBA, thus has to improve in other areas. He's no Steve Nash yet (my point is he still has room for improvement).
(3) Texas is a great place for him. Living at UT as a popular superstar is attractive to people. He has a girlfriend to worry about as well.
(4) He's the type of guy that likes to win championships, and he hasn't won one since his junior year of highschool
Once again, I think the odds are that he goes pro, but he may not. The fact that he's presently not planning on it is encouraging for us though.
by longhorn00 on
Feb 24, 2008 1:56 AM CST
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Tyreke Evans..
let's not forget that we still have a decent shot at landing him.
by mvplonghorns on Feb 24, 2008 12:16 AM CST 0 recs
Scholarships
For a minute, let's take DJ at his word and assume that he does return for his junior year. I would have to assume, then, that Damion James also returns. If that is the case, then we can't sign any other high school seniors unless someone transfers.
Our only scholarship senior this year is JD Lewis. J'Covan Brown, Port Arthur Memorial, has already verbally committed to the 'Horns and will sign in the spring.
There is a 13 scholarship max in basketball. Next year would be:
AJ, DJ, Mason, Smith, Brown, Balbay
James, Achley, Chapman, Pittman, Wangmene, Johnson, and Hill.
We are heavily recruiting Wesley Witherspoon and Tyreke Evans. So, unless someone is transferring or someone is declaring for the NBA draft, something doesn't add up.
by awiggo on Feb 24, 2008 11:51 AM CST 0 recs
That's a nice problem to have
Regardless, I think there may be a sit-down at some point with Harrison Smith about his "options."
by billyzane on
Feb 24, 2008 12:33 PM CST
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VY too
I believe the great VY promised he was coming back too. Isn't it sad; athletes have become like politicians. No one believes anything they say anymore.
by OBdoc on Feb 24, 2008 2:15 PM CST 0 recs
Coaches are worse
The players are ~20 year olds who have millions of dollars placed on a table in front of them. I think most of them really intend to return until they're actually put in the position where they'd essentially be turning that money down. I can't begrudge (most of) them for that.
On the other hand, you have grown men already making millions who out and out lie about leaving. See: Nick Saban, Rich Rodriguez, etc. That's far worse, in my mind.
by Meekrob on
Feb 24, 2008 5:30 PM CST
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No
As far as I remember, Vince did not promise like that. He did mention early on that he will probably come back, but he will make the decision after the end of season. He would have come back if not because of the monster night.
by Cyrus on
Feb 24, 2008 9:33 PM CST
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Classy
One classy player who really knows how to dish the rock. I hope he stays...
by usmchorns on Feb 24, 2008 10:09 PM CST 0 recs
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