Vander to the NBA draft

[Windyplayer]

Today/tomorrow is just the deadline for early entrants to declare AND still be able to come back to college game (assuming no agent).  The actual early entrant deadline is 4/28 at 11:59pm.  Thus, I believe Van still has time to declare, but if he does after tomorrow, Van would be committed to the draft... no backing out.

Correct me if I'm wrong.  

Right.

[wardle2wade]

Personally, as of this moment... I'm not buying in any more with the logic of "it's easier to get drafted this year since next year's class is stacked."  Due to this logic, a lot of of guys have already declared early now who otherwise may not have... it's a supply/demand thing and there are only 60 picks... It swings the pedulum a bit.  If he declared this year, Van would have to now get drafted over those players too.  Also, I don't believe all of the "sure things" for next year's draft class will pan out.

Van can continue to market himself as something different (consistent and mature leader/scorer/defender)... he can differentiate himself vs less proven one-and-done talents.  It doesn't have to appeal to all NBA teams, just one.  God willing (without injuries), MU should be top 10-worthy most the year and Van can make himself even more of a household name.  All of this exists while Van would be a young age for a four-year player. 

Overall, I believe Van has a lot to gain by coming back, probably more than other players.

[Lighthouse 84]

The other board has someone stating an announcement of VB going pro comes tomorrow. Anyone here know anything more to confirm or deny?

[denverMU]

I would agree with that assessment. 

[nyg]

Burke, Porter, Len, Noel and Franklin just declared in last few days.  McLemore is next with some others.  All first rounders.

Vander will not be drafted in first round, will not have guarantee contract money and will be in NBDL.  

If he goes, he is the one who made the decision, whether right or wrong, but it is his right or wrong.  Best of luck, hopefully it works out and doesn't regret the decision for the rest of his life.  

[AirPunches]

He would tie up 30-35 min a game and it would have to be all about him next year. I feel that MU will be just as good if not better next year without Vander. It's just good to have more people that can play that spot rather than feel obligated to play someone the whole game who can't shoot from the outside and may not even care next year and would just be angry that he's stuck another year in college.

[denverMU]

Unfortunately Vander will make the wrong decision tomorrow and leave.  Good luck Vander

[KampusFoods]

This does open the door for more minutes out of the newcomers, who are super talented. And sometimes when talented kids aren't playing, they leave. Long term, this might be a good thing for the program. We might not get to the final four next year, but if JJJ, DuWilson, and Burton are three or four-year players, we'll be a serious national title contender in a few years.

[GoMarquette32]

Unfortunately Vander will make the wrong decision tomorrow and leave.  Good luck Vander

Do you have inside information?

[🏀]

Vander will not be announcing anything tomorrow.

[TallTitan34]

The guy saying this on the other board has 6 posts FWIW.

[reinko]

He would tie up 30-35 min a game and it would have to be all about him next year. I feel that MU will be just as good if not better next year without Vander. It's just good to have more people that can play that spot rather than feel obligated to play someone the whole game who can't shoot from the outside and may not even care next year and would just be angry that he's stuck another year in college.

You are the worst

[denverMU]

Do you have inside information?

That's what I hear.

[Silkk the Shaka]

He would tie up 30-35 min a game and it would have to be all about him next year. I feel that MU will be just as good if not better next year without Vander. It's just good to have more people that can play that spot rather than feel obligated to play someone the whole game who can't shoot from the outside and may not even care next year and would just be angry that he's stuck another year in college.

Disagree wholeheartedly with this.  He has improved his shot every year, and he's a natural competitor.  Plus, he'd be clawing tooth and nail for a first round contract.  He'd know that a deep tourney run would do wonders in that regard.  I feel like we'd get the kind of season you see from major sports stars in their contract year.  Also, remember Jerel McNeal went from 30.4% 3P shooting his junior year to 39.8% his senior year.  With the way Van perfected the 12-18 footer this past offseason, I have no doubt he'd get himself to the upper 30s from deep next season if not low 40s.  Combine that with his ability to take virtually anyone off the bounce and he'd be an absolutely lethal offensive weapon - the kind that takes teams on deep tournament runs with the supporting cast he'd have.  Really hope he stays, but if he doesn't, I really hope he gets drafted.

[AirPunches]

Disagree wholeheartedly with this.  He has improved his shot every year, and he's a natural competitor.  Plus, he'd be clawing tooth and nail for a first round contract.  He'd know that a deep tourney run would do wonders in that regard.  I feel like we'd get the kind of season you see from major sports stars in their contract year.  Also, remember Jerel McNeal went from 30.4% 3P shooting his junior year to 39.8% his senior year.  With the way Van perfected the 12-18 footer this past offseason, I have no doubt he'd get himself to the upper 30s from deep next season if not low 40s.  Combine that with his ability to take virtually anyone off the bounce and he'd be an absolutely lethal offensive weapon - the kind that takes teams on deep tournament runs with the supporting cast he'd have.  Really hope he stays, but if he doesn't, I really hope he gets drafted.

I too hope he gets drafted and I agree with some of your points. It's important to have recognizable stars at the college level. It's good for pre-season exposure and he's obviously been apart of a lot of lot of tourney wins so his experience would be huge. I just think we have a lot of studs in the front court next year and IMO a top-3 nationally 1-2 punch at center next year. MU will look to go inside out next year and it's imperative that there is outside shooting to go along with that. For next years MU team I just think it's better to have a lot of options on the perimeter next year when they will have an inside out focus anyway.

I didn't check but I'm guessing that the number of shots Jerel McNeal took in his senior year went way up too. I think a similar trajectory would happen with Vander. Sure, he may shoot a better percentage than this year but those shots could be better served elsewhere in my opinion with the talent MU has returning and entering.

I have no problem with Blue returning and my lock screen on my phone is of him hitting the game winner against Davidson so I'm not a Vander hater like some here. I just don't see it as that big of a loss if he decides to go.

[denverMU]

It is a very big loss and unfortunately he is leaving.

[Stronghold]

It is a very big loss and unfortunately he is leaving.

You've stated/implied this in 4 posts on this page alone.  Did you get this from a source? If so, how reliable is that source?  Any additional info?

[MUfan12]

Too much smoke for there not to be fire on this...

MU will miss him most down the stretch of games. Was clutch at the line, and made some huge plays this season.

I just hope he really knows what he's doing here...

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

It is a very big loss and unfortunately he is leaving.

Stop repeatedly posting this until something is announced.

[Rockmic87]

We have beaten this thread to death. Vander is not declaring for the NBA. He is not even on anyone's mock drafts, where it would be even feasible to consider him entering. If he is listed on someone's mock draft, he is in the late second round.

Please stop beating the dead horse with this thread.

[AZWarrior]

This does open the door for more minutes out of the newcomers, who are super talented. And sometimes when talented kids aren't playing, they leave. Long term, this might be a good thing for the program. We might not get to the final four next year, but if JJJ, DuWilson, and Burton are three or four-year players, we'll be a serious national title contender in a few years.

I periodically thank the mods for the "Ignore button".  This is one of those times. 

Thanks mods, for all you do.  Especially for the "IB".

[wadesworld]

I too hope he gets drafted and I agree with some of your points. It's important to have recognizable stars at the college level. It's good for pre-season exposure and he's obviously been apart of a lot of lot of tourney wins so his experience would be huge. I just think we have a lot of studs in the front court next year and IMO a top-3 nationally 1-2 punch at center next year. MU will look to go inside out next year and it's imperative that there is outside shooting to go along with that. For next years MU team I just think it's better to have a lot of options on the perimeter next year when they will have an inside out focus anyway.

I didn't check but I'm guessing that the number of shots Jerel McNeal took in his senior year went way up too. I think a similar trajectory would happen with Vander. Sure, he may shoot a better percentage than this year but those shots could be better served elsewhere in my opinion with the talent MU has returning and entering.

I have no problem with Blue returning and my lock screen on my phone is of him hitting the game winner against Davidson so I'm not a Vander hater like some here. I just don't see it as that big of a loss if he decides to go.

Then I don't think you know a thing about basketball.

Honestly, just because a team has a good year doesn't mean they're better off without a star player that left the year before.  This year's team had more succes than last year's team, but would we have been worse if DJO and Jae were on this team?  NO WAY!

[denverMU]

We have beaten this thread to death. Vander is not declaring for the NBA. He is not even on anyone's mock drafts, where it would be even feasible to consider him entering. If he is listed on someone's mock draft, he is in the late second round.

Please stop beating the dead horse with this thread.

You are correct, we have beat this to death and Vander is not on anyone's mock drafts.  Unfortunately, sometimes young college athletes make poor choices.  This will become abundantly clear to us very soon.

[AirPunches]

Then I don't think you know a thing about basketball.

Honestly, just because a team has a good year doesn't mean they're better off without a star player that left the year before.  This year's team had more succes than last year's team, but would we have been worse if DJO and Jae were on this team?  NO WAY!

That's fair. I want Blue back but don't see it as that big of a loss BECAUSE of the guys we have to replace them. I could be wrong on that. Crowder and DJO were/will be harder to replace than Blue in my opinion. I think Blue's a really good college player. I also think that he has a shot at first team all-american if he comes back. Maybe I'm just really high on some of the guys we have coming in next year. Also, in college hoops I like to see the wheels keep turning. That's just how I see it though.

[MUfan12]

That's fair. I want Blue back but don't see it as that big of a loss BECAUSE of the guys we have to replace them. I could be wrong on that.

Never want to have to totally rely on two freshmen in the backcourt, but I see what you're saying. Those guys have the talent, but Van's experience is invaluable.

I know he's persona non grata around here, but Mayo could really benefit if Blue leaves. Todd's a guy who needs some burn to get going. I get why Buzz handled him the way he did this season, but he never really got into the flow. If he's the starter at the two, and knows those minutes are out there this summer, I can see him having a really nice season.