James expected to test draft without agent | Bevo Beat

Damion will have until June 15 to withdraw and maintain his eligibility.

almost 3 years ago Peter Bean 15 comments 0 recs |

Comments

This was entirely expected,

but it will be interesting to see how his workouts go and if they raise or lower his stock. It also makes the process a lot longer, as James might not make a decision until the middle of June as to whether he will stay a Longhorn or ply his skills in the NBA. I still expect him to come back in an effort to raise his stock as a senior.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Apr 15, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed

I feel 100% certain that Barnes advised him to do this, and it makes sense. I thought Dex would do it as well, but he made a good point in that he knows he’s not ready for the NBA, and he could do more harm than good to next year’s draft chances by working out right now. I’m not sure the same is true for Damion. I don’t see him becoming a much different player over the course of next season. Of course I expect him to improve certain areas of his game, but overall, I think we know what kind of player he is. It’s good for him to just get some insight and hopefully come back and improve wherever he can. Dexter, however, has a lot more to prove, and he should be in a much better position to do so next season (i.e. a lot more PT).

by bassale47 on Apr 15, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Kind of off-topic

but apparently it’s possible that top recruit John Wall could declare for this year’s NBA draft. Would be good news for us, as we don’t want him making another team that much better.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25945

Mike, FL: Is John Wall the No. 1 pick in 2010 Draft. He was awesome at the Hoop Summit game.

SportsNation Chad Ford: He was awesome and he’ll compete with Ed Davis and a few other freshmen for that. However, there is some buzz that Wall believes he might be eligible for THIS year’s draft. I’ve been doing some digging and will be filing a story later today. The short rub is this: Wall is a 5th year senior and depending on how you read the collective bargaining agreement, 5th year seniors are eligible for the draft as long as the turn 19 in the calander year (Wall does). The league is taking a wait and see approach. If he declares, they’ll research and make a ruling. If he does declare and is ruled eligible (two big ifs) he’s a Top 5 pick in this draft. Maybe Top 3.

As for James, no shock at all. He absolutely needs to test the waters.

by goingforthecorner on Apr 15, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions

Does John Wall want to take that risk?

This reeks of the Mike Williams situation. It goes, IIRC, that Maurice Clarett successfully won a court ruling making him eligible to enter the NFL draft. After the ruling, Mike Williams did likewise, only to see said ruling successfully appealed in a higher court. Williams then had to sit out a year, since he was ineligible to play at the NCAA level. While Williams did get paid, his career has been nothing short of a massive disappointment; it’s possible a 3rd year at USC could’ve changed that.

More recently, Brandon Jennings chose to play overseas rather than attend Arizona. While academics may have played a role, Jennings now languishes overseas instead of teaming up with possible first rounders Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger to make a semi-imposing lineup. Jennings now risks falling out of the lottery entirely, which is where most had him pegged after a one-and-done year at Zona.

While it makes sense for Wall to gain an extra year of salary, the barriers to entry don’t seem to justify the risk, should he fail to win his case.

by jc25 on Apr 15, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Brandon Jennings is projected as the number 6 pick in the draft by draftexpress.com

So i’m not quite sure he’s languishing.

by Texas Wahoo on Apr 15, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

You make a good point, but on the wrong basis

Potential of a 19 year old rookie and production are two different things

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Apr 15, 2009 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

Chad Ford currently has him at 13 with this write-up:

Jennings is automatically eligible for the NBA Draft thanks to a collective bargaining rule that states that players who sign a professional contract to play basketball automatically become eligible for the draft. Jennings has had a tough go of it this year. After failing to qualify academically at Arizona, he jumped to Italy where he averaged about 6 ppg and 2.2 apg in 18 mpg. Those numbers won’t blow anyone away, but given the uniqueness of his position scouts are giving him a lot of slack. He’s still a super athletic point guard with great size for his position. If he can prove to scouts in workouts that he can shoot the basketball (he shot just 19 percent from three in Europe) he’ll be a Top 10 pick.

Alternatively, had he had a strong year at Arizona, I believe he’d still be debated as being the top PG chosen along with Ricky Rubio. But you’re right, he can still parlay his current position into a high draft choice. Again, so did Mike Williams.

by jc25 on Apr 15, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

More importantly

This is what Chad Ford had to say about Avery Bradley:

Bradley may be a bit undersized as a combo guard, but he was terrific both in the McDonald’s All-American game and at the Nike Hoop Summit. Against the World Team, he finished with 21 points on 14 shots and showed off a lethal combination of quickness and athleticism, and a defensive intensity that most players his age don’t have.

While he clearly needs to work on his 3-point shooting, he could be a big-time prospect at Texas next season. Right now scouts have him pegged as a mid-first-rounder in 2010, but given his talent he could rise.

That is, how you say, great for Bradley, not so great for the Horns’ 2010 squad.

by jc25 on Apr 15, 2009 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Odd Statement

undersized as a combo guard

Given he can do this and this, I’m not too worried about his size.

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Apr 15, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Wall and Jennings are two entirely different stories...

But with Jennings, I think even negating the fact that he couldn’t keep eligible, he might actually be breathing a sigh of relief that he got out of Arizona when he did. Other than their run in the tourney, Arizona was pretty bad and if his play declined in line with the team he might actually be sitting in a worse situation. At least the whole Europe thing was unique and gives him a credible excuse.

I would think Wall wouldn’t make the move unless he got word from the NBA that they would grant him eligibility. Even then, unlike football players, Wall has a lot more opportunity if the gamble didn’t pay off. I think if Wall doesn’t try the draft, especially in what looks to be a weak year, it will signal that the NBA told him they didn’t think he would get approved.

by Rickyspub on Apr 15, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

you would think

It would a black or white issue. He would have to get NBA approval in order to be draft eligible. Not declare, then have the NBA check on it.

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Apr 15, 2009 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Official at UT Sports

James to declare for NBA Draft

Texas’ junior swingman led the team in rebounding and double-doubles last year.

April 15, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas junior swingman Damion James will declare himself eligible for the 2009 NBA Draft but does not plan to hire an agent, he announced today. James ranks third in UT history in career rebounds (968), fourth in career double-doubles (37), seventh in career blocks (123) and 18th in career scoring (1,306 points) following his first three seasons in Austin.

“Ever since I started playing the game of basketball, I’ve dreamed of playing in the NBA,” James said. “Now I have the chance to live out that dream. I really appreciate the full support of my family and the entire Texas coaching staff through this process. Once I finish up this semester strong academically, I’ll have the opportunity to do workouts for different teams and see where I stand.”

James earned a spot on the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team and the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) All-District 8 Second Team as a junior. He led the team in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and double-doubles (16) and ranked second in scoring (15.4 ppg). James also earned a spot on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team for the second straight season.

“Damion and I sat down and talked this decision through, and it’s the right thing to do,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said. “I really appreciate Damion’s loyalty to our program and the way he has handled this situation. He can get a feel for the system and receive the correct information directly from the NBA on where he stands.”

In 108 career games (106 starts), James has averaged 12.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per contest. His 9.0 career rebounds per game average ranks fourth in school history.

The 2009 NBA Draft is scheduled for Thursday, June 25 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

by IUTex on Apr 15, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

You understand there is a link at the top of this page that says the same thing, correct?

Maybe, I missing something.

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Apr 15, 2009 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

IUTex is just releasing the official press release from Texas..

I really don’t see what the problem is with this being posted. I know I was interested to read it. Maybe there’s something more going on that I’m not aware….sorry if that’s the case.

by silky51 on Apr 15, 2009 4:46 PM CDT reply actions