Vander to the NBA draft

[Bricky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4jGSvxCRp4

[NavinRJohnson]

I was referencing the fact that they looked at what Florida's chances would be for the next year and decided to come back.  I said that in response to The Lens saying "What does a Top 10 team have to do with anything?  He's not a fan.  He's making a life choice.  I would never expect a kid to evaluate his decision based on the team's possibilities."

I understand what you were saying completely. What does it have to do with anything? So MU can be good next year, and the UF players made the decision they made, why should that have any impact on Vander Blue's decision on what to do with his life? It's completely irrelevant.

[PaintTouchesSays]

Blue forgoes senior year, enters NBA draft
      

Written by: Mark Strotman
            

Marquette junior Vander Blue  will forgo his senior year and declare for the 2013 NBA draft. He plans to hire an agent and will not have the possibility of returning to school. Blue expressed his gratitude towards the university in … Continue reading →


            

http://painttouches.com/2013/04/16/blue-forgoes-senior-year-enters-nba-draft/
      

[chapman]

Agree. If Wilson left it'd be a much bigger blow

Yep.  I think he can do even more to improve his stock with one more year than Blue could have.  But I would get it a little more since he's graduating.

[NavinRJohnson]

I get it. But seriously, stop acting like he's a pauper.

I'm acting like he's tired of playing on college and wants to take the next step in hiis career. But yet again, "stop acting like he's a pauper," Really? My guess would be that you have a well paying job, retirement account, college funds started, etc...maybe not, but extremely easy for you to say that.

[Dreadman24]

Haha you guys seem so shocked and upset. I told all of you MONTHS ago that he was entering the draft. That's the only reason JJJ signed!! And for all you Vander Blue haters he will get drafted and have a career in the NBA! It's all about potential and Vander has tons of it at only 20 YEARS OLD. That's what he has going for him and it mean a lot to NBA scouts. Good move Vander!

[MUCam]

Why is everyone so sure that if he comes back next year, where he is limited in the amount of time he can put in to improve himself, he automatically betters his position?

I know it can happen that way. But, do we have statistics that back up what appears to be a pretty big assumption?

His stock is high now. It might be higher now than it will be in a year. If that is the case, maybe now is the time to go.

Eitherway, the decision won't be "right" or "wrong" until later. Until then, I wish him the best, thank him for the hard work, and hope he makes the NBA. If he doesn't, I hope he makes some money somewhere.

[Newsdreams]

I think it is a mistake. He is quoted as saying that he consulted family on it, but it would seem he didn't mention anything about Buzz or NBA advice. Also, if someone else leaves could it be a sign of trouble with regards to the program?

[mileskishnish72]

In what is only an opinion, I think this is a bad move. But Van, work your butt off and I won't care if you make me look bad. Thanks for the memories, and best of luck!

[ChicosBailBonds]

Good luck Vander.  You grew up a lot in the last year, especially from a maturity stand point.  Hope it works out and you made the correct decision.  Can't fault anyone for pursuing their dreams, I just hope the timing is right to make sure those dreams are within reach this year rather than next.

[frozena pizza]

What does a Top 10 team have to do with anything?  He's not a fan.  He's making a life choice.  I would never expect a kid to evaluate his decision based on the team's possibilities.  That's selfish on our part.  Vander's busted his tail for 3 years, what does he owe us?  Good Luck Vander...prove 'em wrong.

Disagree.  You have to weigh the opportunities available by coming back versus going pro and the projected success of the team next year would have to be a factor in any college player's decision.  I can say objectively that any kid that declares for the draft without a pretty high certainty that he will be drafted in the frist round is taking a big risk.  There's nothing selfish about that.  

Of course, it is Vander's decision and and he owns this choice regardless of how it works out.  Hope he does well and if so that is good for the program over the long term.  We will move on and be fine, but this is a big blow to a team that would have been top 10 next year.

[TheDOC816]

I understand what you were saying completely. What does it have to do with anything? So MU can be good next year, and the UF players made the decision they made, why should that have any impact on Vander Blue's decision on what to do with his life? It's completely irrelevant.

It shouldn't and wouldn't affect Vander's decision.  It's relevant to the conversation because he used the general statement saying he wouldn't expect a kid to make a decision based on his team's potential and the Florida example is a direct counter to that statement.  

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

When he goes undrafted, will the "green room" forever be referred to as the "Blue room?"

[Hards Alumni]

Anyone who says he should have stayed doesn't realize how weak this years draft is, and that Vander's stock is as high as it will probably get without a MONSTER senior year.

Good luck to him.

[ChicosBailBonds]

These guys aren't at MU (or anywhere else) to go to school, they're there to play basketball. That's what they care about. He sees his chance to take a step forward and he's taking it.

Broad statement, most of them actually are there to go to school because most of them know this is the end of the line for basketball.

[brewcity77]

I think it is a mistake. He is quoted as saying that he consulted family on it, but it would seem he didn't mention anything about Buzz or NBA advice. Also, if someone else leaves could it be a sign of trouble with regards to the program?

So because it wasn't in the quote you think he didn't talk to Buzz? Marquette put feelers in to the NBA a week ago. I have no doubt that Blue consulted with Buzz and they took into account what the NBA committee was saying. I don't believe he leaves without feeling confident he'll be drafted.

[Marqevans]

You're making a big mistake Victor Pulak.... a big mistake.

I echo people who said they are more worried about what it means for Vander's career than our team next year.  I really hope this doesn't backfire on him.  If he makes a team and sticks, it's good for both him and MU in the long run.

I agree putting another player in the NBA would be great for recruiting for MU.    Though I have to wonder if having a shot at the final four might not have benn better.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Been busy with other stuff the last 12 hours so I completely missed this. Wow. I think Vander will end up being a late-first to early-second round NBA pick. He'll make a team and stick. I know many are still down on his chances because of his first two years but those people aren't realizing that when your needle is trending this high up further improvement is to be expected, and that is what some NBA GM will bank on.

Many thought Vander wouldn't get a lot of time early, but his defense got him on the court. People said he couldn't finish at the rim, but he became one of the best in the conference at it this year. People still say he can't shoot, but he's very accurate inside the arc and has improved his 3P% every year.

Best of luck to Vander, I do feel we just went from a title contender and top-5 team to somewhere in the 12-15 range. Really gut-punched by this, but I can't begrudge him because I'm sure he's just trying to make the best decision for himself. That he chose to declare tells me Marquette got positive feedback from NBA scouts and GMs in regards to Vander's stock. You still my boy, Blue.

My thoughts exactly.  We'll still be a very good team, but we went from a Final Four caliber team to a fringe contender.  I hope Duane and Jajuan are ready to carry some of the scoring load.  And I really hope Vander gets drafted so that I won't forever wonder what could have been.

[jesmu84]

https://twitter.com/SethDavisHoops/status/324159959405305858

"Rough break 4 Marquette as Vander Blue will enter draft and sign w agent. Borderline prospect but prob wouldn't boost stock if he came back."

At least one analyst doesn't believe another year would help any. I wonder if this was the info he was getting from sources. Makes sense to go, if so.

[TheDOC816]

My thoughts exactly.  We'll still be a very good team, but we went from a Final Four caliber team to a fringe contender.  I hope Duane and Jajuan are ready to carry some of the scoring load.  And I really hope Vander gets drafted so that I won't forever wonder what could have been.

I think regardless if he gets drafted, we'll all wonder what could have been

[NavinRJohnson]

Broad statement, most of them actually are there to go to school because most of them know this is the end of the line for basketball.

That's sort of correct. When I say 'these guys' I am referring to he Vander Blues of the world, as opposed to the Jake Thomases.

[Hards Alumni]

https://twitter.com/SethDavisHoops/status/324159959405305858

"Rough break 4 Marquette as Vander Blue will enter draft and sign w agent. Borderline prospect but prob wouldn't boost stock if he came back."

At least one analyst doesn't believe another year would help any. I wonder if this was the info he was getting from sources. Makes sense to go, if so.

Hey this is exactly what I said.

[BCHoopster]

Theres 2  to 3 kids very excited right now, Mayo, Wilson and Johnson, playing time is available, and Burton and Taylor have to be excited with Anderson leaving.  MU will be fine next
year.

[Aughnanure]

I agree putting another player in the NBA would be great for recruiting for MU.    Though I have to wonder if having a shot at the final four might not have benn better.

Come on. You can't sit there and bank your decision on a final four. Too many things our of your control.

[setyoursightsnorth]

Please, Jamil. Don't declare.