Seriously sounds like Thabeet is coming back to Uconn

[BRIGGS]

His mother wants him to stay to finish up[he is pretty close to finishing his degree in 3 years and strategically with all of these 5s in the draft---his best bet is coming back to improve on the offensive end and get into the top 5. The draft next year doesnt look nearly as impressive as this year imho.

[nyk2423]

he better be going back.Next years draft class for centers is very weak

[Canomad]

it would be wise for him to get his degree in 3 years and come back and improve his offense as well as other facets of his game. also if he comes back and improves his bust potential goes down alot!

[bill curley II]

he better be going back.Next years draft class for centers is very weak

I wouldn't say its that much different. You'll probably get guys like Koufas and Oglivy coming out next year, BJ Mullins at OSU coming in and could be one and out. It certainly a different type of C's next year, with more offensively skilled guys versus this year you have raw, athletic guys like McGee and Jordan.

[34Celtic]

SOURCE????????????

[MalReyn]

he better be going back.Next years draft class for centers is very weak

Right now it looks much weaker. But inevitably a few C's in this year's draft will back out, and a few new prospects may emerge during that time.

A prospect as raw as Thabeet needs to make significant strides every year to maintain his draft status. If he makes less progress than scourts hope, his stock could take a plunge. Since UConn is bringing back largely the same roster, I don't expect his numbers to really rise significantly.

[gswhoops]

I agree that Thabeet should go back to school...this year is unusually strong for Cs.

B. Lopez
Jordan
McGee
Speights
Hibbert
R. Lopez
Thompson
Ajinca

All guys that can play C that are projected 1st rounders.

[Goldbum]

Ajinca is not even close to being a center. He id WAY to skinny.

[A.J.]

He should declare right now and don't hire an agent to see where he might fall. If he comes back next year he will be a top 10 pick.

[gswhoops]

Ajinca is not even close to being a center. He id WAY to skinny.

I looked it up and Draft Express has him at 7' 1" and 210...is that even healthy?

I'm 6' 2" and 190-ish, and I'm pretty normal size (on the big end of normal though)...7' 1" and 210 seems impossible.

[gswhoops]

He should declare right now and don't hire an agent to see where he might fall. If he comes back next year he will be a top 10 pick.

If he goes in the 1st round though (which he certainly will if he stays in) he can't put his name in the draft for another 3 years IIRC, can someone confirm this for me?

[Canomad]

-= original quote snipped =-




I looked it up and Draft Express has him at 7' 1" and 210...is that even healthy?

I'm 6' 2" and 190-ish, and I'm pretty normal size (on the big end of normal though)...7' 1" and 210 seems impossible.

corey brewer is listed at 185 pounds and he is 6'8 or 6'9, that cant be healthy.

[NO-KG-AI]

Ajinca reminds me a lot of Tyson Chandler, needs weight desperately though.

Thabeet should test the waters, he does need the money.

I'd gauge my value, see if I can get a team to guarantee me in the first round, then enter.

He needs seasoning, but he has grown a lot since he first came on the scene, his game is getting a lot better, what I like most is how much his FT% shot up, which shows he is working hard, and it makes him valuable, because you can have him in the game down the stretch, and he won't just be hacked at.

I like Thabeet, I would take him over a lot of guys that are projected higher than him.

[Fenix]

Ajinca reminds me a lot of Tyson Chandler, needs weight desperately though.

Thabeet should test the waters, he does need the money.

I'd gauge my value, see if I can get a team to guarantee me in the first round, then enter.

He needs seasoning, but he has grown a lot since he first came on the scene, his game is getting a lot better, what I like most is how much his FT% shot up, which shows he is working hard, and it makes him valuable, because you can have him in the game down the stretch, and he won't just be hacked at.

I like Thabeet, I would take him over a lot of guys that are projected higher than him.

I understand what you're trying to say, but I'd say staying in school for another year is the best thing he can do, at least long-term. He's one of those players who desperately need seasoning and have their ceiling determined by the kind of of role they play in college. I think the difference between him leaving school this year or next year could be the difference between him being an average offensive player and an above average one. He improved his offense and overall feel for the game tremendously this year and I believe he could do the same thing next season. Imagine his stock if he had a 15/10/5 statline next year with more consistency and improved weaknesses (hands, man defense, rebounding, strength,...), which are all realistically correctable.

[UGA Hayes]

I'm surprised he is not at least testing the waters. In the Uconn games I saw this year there was almost zero effor to involve Thabeet in the offense. Is there a true point coming in for Uconn. Has Adrien graduated. I would only take this risk if I was dead sure I was going to get touches and honestly even then I would still go pro.

[34Celtic]

I'm surprised he is not at least testing the waters. In the Uconn games I saw this year there was almost zero effor to involve Thabeet in the offense. Is there a true point coming in for Uconn. Has Adrien graduated. I would only take this risk if I was dead sure I was going to get touches and honestly even then I would still go pro.

Thabeet has no offensive game, AJ Price was one of the best point guards in the Big East, Adrien is back.

On anoter note it sounds like the original poster couldn't find a source.

[UGA Hayes]

Eh I wan't too impressed with AJ's PG instincts. Being a good college PG isn't saying much. Besides the argument is whether college is the best place for him to develop, and regardless of whether he deserves touches or not there is no point of staying in college if he might not get them (maybe he will get them who knows)

[Canomad]

Eh I wan't too impressed with AJ's PG instincts. Being a good college PG isn't saying much. Besides the argument is whether college is the best place for him to develop, and regardless of whether he deserves touches or not there is no point of staying in college if he might not get them (maybe he will get them who knows)

i think college is the best place for him to develop. does any team really need another d-league project center??? how often do those work out. i say stay and get you game right graduate in 3 years and declare. i know money is an issue but its only 1 year, he will get the money anyways.

[BRIGGS]

uh-oh press confernce today on Hasheem--previously they said no press--that may not be good.

[JonathanG]

ummm, what press conference? No one at UConn has heard about that. Why are you spreading disinformation?