[Paint Touches] Where are they now: Jerel McNeal

[PaintTouches]

Jerel McNeal will go into summer league and preseason with the Jazz this season still looking to log his first NBA minute after stints with two teams. We caught up with him for a few minutes to see what life has been like after Marquette and what he thinks of Buzz and the Big East.

http://t.co/FXpLdMiIb2 

[MauraDay]

thanks for the article. jerel has always been one of my favorite players.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Nice article....good to hear things directly from the players about coaches.

[frozena pizza]

Best of luck to Jerel.  I often think that if Vander had stuck around he could have had the type of senior season Jerel had.

[jsglow]

I hope Jerel has a chance to stick this year.  I'm sure he'd be thrilled to be Utah's 12th man earning a few minutes here and there.

[MU82]

Thanks for the link. I always like to hear what ex-Warriors are up to.

As for Vander, I agree that he could have had Jerel-like success as a senior. But I also am not sure one more year would have made him a better pro prospect. I mean, look at what Jerel has had to go through.

Best of luck to them both.

[esotericmindguy]

Thanks for the link. I always like to hear what ex-Warriors are up to.

As for Vander, I agree that he could have had Jerel-like success as a senior. But I also am not sure one more year would have made him a better pro prospect. I mean, look at what Jerel has had to go through.

Isn't that the perfect reason NOT to come back? From what it sounds like Blue wouldn't have received a degree after next year anyway....so why not leave.

Pretty crazy how the leading scorer from a top 20 program of all time can find a job in the league. The NBA is no joke.

[BCHoopster]

What do you guys think, Jerel makes on a 10 day contract, and 20 more days he got, or so.  Secondly, when MU kids practice up here during the summer, does MU give them some
free housing or do they just stay with friends?

[frozena pizza]

Isn't that the perfect reason NOT to come back? From what it sounds like Blue wouldn't have received a degree after next year anyway....so why not leave.

Pretty crazy how the leading scorer from a top 20 program of all time can find a job in the league. The NBA is no joke.

If your singular goal in life is play in the NBA, then maybe it doesn't really matter if you come back.  But McNeal will never have more notoriety or fame playing basketball than he did at Marquette and he can be proud of his accomplishments.  The same is true for Blue.  Even if he somehow makes an NBA roster, it's unlikely that he will have a significant role (yes I am aware of Wes Matthews but he is clearly an outlier).

It is crazy how hard it is to catch on, especially for smaller guys.  Still hard to believe Scottie Reynolds was first team AA, didn't get drafted and has had a career pretty similar to Jerel's - Europe, D-league, occasional summer league spot or short-term contract.

[Lennys Tap]

If your singular goal in life is play in the NBA, then maybe it doesn't really matter if you come back.  But McNeal will never have more notoriety or fame playing basketball than he did at Marquette and he can be proud of his accomplishments.  The same is true for Blue.  Even if he somehow makes an NBA roster, it's unlikely that he will have a significant role (yes I am aware of Wes Matthews but he is clearly an outlier).

It is crazy how hard it is to catch on, especially for smaller guys.  Still hard to believe Scottie Reynolds was first team AA, didn't get drafted and has had a career pretty similar to Jerel's - Europe, D-league, occasional summer league spot or short-term contract.

Good points. I don't think Van's professional basketball future changes one iota if he stays, but he will miss out on a degree and the chance to become a Marquette icon. Those things have more value (IMO) than an extra year in the dleague or Europe, but he's young and in a hurry. We all were once.

[Silkk the Shaka]

Isn't that the perfect reason NOT to come back? From what it sounds like Blue wouldn't have received a degree after next year anyway....so why not leave.

Pretty crazy how the leading scorer from a top 20 program of all time can find a job in the league. The NBA is no joke.

I agree with your overall point, but where did you hear that?

[Eldon]

I look forward to reading more of these 'where are they now' pieces.  I'd especially enjoy updates on some of the mid- late-90s guys, e.g., Chris Crawford, Hutch the Clutch, etc.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I look forward to reading more of these 'where are they now' pieces.  I'd especially enjoy updates on some of the mid- late-90s guys, e.g., Chris Crawford, Hutch the Clutch, etc.

Isn't Crawford still with the Hawks?

[TJ]

Good points. I don't think Van's professional basketball future changes one iota if he stays, but he will miss out on a degree and the chance to become a Marquette icon. Those things have more value (IMO) than an extra year in the dleague or Europe, but he's young and in a hurry. We all were once.

To you maybe, but obviously not to him.  You don't think he knew what he was giving up when he declared?  We can all say he made the wrong decision, but I highly doubt it was such an ill-informed decision.

And if, as you say, his pro future wouldn't change at all either way, why not start it now and get paid?  Youth is an asset in pro basketball.

[Lennys Tap]

To you maybe, but obviously not to him.  You don't think he knew what he was giving up when he declared?  We can all say he made the wrong decision, but I highly doubt it was such an ill-informed decision.

And if, as you say, his pro future wouldn't change at all either way, why not start it now and get paid?  Youth is an asset in pro basketball.

TJ - again it's only my opinion that what he's giving up is more valuable than what he's getting. I could be wrong (hope I am), but old people like me, Buzz, Van's Mom, etc., can usually put these kind of decisions in a bit more perspective than we could have at 21. That said, I sincerely hope we're wrong and Vander comes out of this without any regrets, but what I thought was important at 21 isn't exactly what I know is at 64.

[MU82]

 

Isn't Crawford still with the Hawks?

No, but he still might be getting paid by them!!!

[Badgerhater]

McNeal was an unfortunate victim of the NBA lockout.  He had just completed a dominate year in the D-league with the Rio Grande River Raptors and then the lock out happened the next year and delayed the season.  His potential NBA stock was at a an all-time high and he wasn't able to use it.