MagicMatic wrote:Skybox wrote:MagicMatic wrote:
And make large donations to the school and are huge in the community… yeah nothing to see here
I get that there are connections...maybe even an inside track to their players...but what are you suggesting? The basketball guys wanted someone else but we chose Jett because the Devos family are Michigan supporters, fans, alumni, whatever? To what end would Weltman handcuff himself? Franz was the steal of the draft - perhaps good info from Howard because he liked what we are building and understands the connection to financial support. I would say maybe an oversell on his son moved him up the draft, but he wasn't drafted as a "favor" to good old UM. That I can buy but the ORL Magic are not drafting lesser prospects for some abstract connection to the school...Maybe all of the UofM administrative offices buy their supplies at 50% markups from Amway.
Mo was signed here and his bro is on the team. Caleb was a value pick in the 2nd round - coming out of HS, he was highly rated.
I'd say there's a relationship. Friends in the college ranks are important for trusted intel...but I don't see some obligation beyond that. Not getting how making large donations TO the school would obligate an NBA team to do them favors in the draft.
I don't think its a direct connection per se.
However, I think when it comes down to picking between prospects its a deciding factor in who they are taking.
And I don't think its necessarily a Michigan University thing. I think it's ALL of MICHIGAN. Gary Harris is also on the team but Michigan State doesn't have a lot of big pro prospects lately.
Reaching now...AG to DEN because we targeted Gary Harris? He was an expiring salary match at the time- just turned out better than RJ and the frp by fluke.