Omax declares

[BM1090]

OMax was indeed invited to the NBA combine.

[avid1010]

OMax was indeed invited to the NBA combine.

I'm sure I missed it somewhere in this thread...when does he have to make a choice by?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I'm sure I missed it somewhere in this thread...when does he have to make a choice by?

May 31, 2023

[We R Final Four]

He gowne.

The days of “if you are not expecting to be picked in the first round, then go back to school” are over.
Long. Athletic. Great and willing defender.
I fully expect a few teams to attempt and get OMax on the cheap(late 2nd round, FA signing, two way, etc.)

[HutchwasClutch]

OMax was indeed invited to the NBA combine.

Haven’t seen this confirmed anywhere.  Where did you see this?  Or wishful thinking?

[El Guerrero 2]

He gowne.

The days of “if you are not expecting to be picked in the first round, then go back to school” are over.
Long. Athletic. Great and willing defender.
I fully expect a few teams to attempt and get OMax on the cheap(late 2nd round, FA signing, two way, etc.)

Why is this the case? With NIL aren’t there more incentives for fringe draft picks to stay in school?

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Haven’t seen this confirmed anywhere.  Where did you see this?  Or wishful thinking?

If he wasn't on the invite list for the G-League combine, he is going to be on the list for the draft combine. But IMO last year there were 70+ invitees, so I am not sure that says much.

[BM1090]

Haven’t seen this confirmed anywhere.  Where did you see this?  Or wishful thinking?

https://twitter.com/BenSteeleMJS/status/1655986622293331968

[MU82]

A little more:

https://www.anonymouseagle.com/2023/5/9/23717182/marquette-golden-eagles-mens-basketball-olivier-maxence-prosper-nba-draft-combine-invitation

Selfishly, I hope he stays, but my vibe is he's going.

I also think our team will be really good next season either way.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

He gowne.

The days of “if you are not expecting to be picked in the first round, then go back to school” are over.
Long. Athletic. Great and willing defender.
I fully expect a few teams to attempt and get OMax on the cheap(late 2nd round, FA signing, two way, etc.)

I was curious about your assertion so I looked at the numbers from last year's NBA Combine.

65 college early entrants were invited to the NBA Combine last season. Of those 65:

25 (38.5%) went in the first round
15 (23.1%) went in the second round (most near the beginning)
18 (27.7%) went undrafted (5 of them only had their COVID year left so may have just not wanted to do school anymore)
7 (10.8%) returned to college

It's only one year of data but the odds definitely favor an NBA draft combine invitee to not return to college. However it is still possible. If OMax is getting high second round buzz or better, he likely goes. If he's not, the odds become a lot better though still not favored. We will see what happens.

[4everwarriors]

He gowne.

The days of “if you are not expecting to be picked in the first round, then go back to school” are over.
Long. Athletic. Great and willing defender.
I fully expect a few teams to attempt and get OMax on the cheap(late 2nd round, FA signing, two way, etc.)

Try knot ta bee such a debbie downer, aina?

[Tha Hound]

I was curious about your assertion so I looked at the numbers from last year's NBA Combine.

65 college early entrants were invited to the NBA Combine last season. Of those 65:

25 (38.5%) went in the first round
15 (23.1%) went in the second round (most near the beginning)
18 (27.7%) went undrafted (5 of them only had their COVID year left so may have just not wanted to do school anymore)
7 (10.8%) returned to college

It's only one year of data but the odds definitely favor an NBA draft combine invitee to not return to college. However it is still possible. If OMax is getting high second round buzz or better, he likely goes. If he's not, the odds become a lot better though still not favored. We will see what happens.

Just one time I’d like one of these guys to come back for another year. Literally just once.

[Vander Blue Man Group]

If OMax goes does anyone think Wrightsil comes back? 

[4everwarriors]

Nah, hey?

[94Warrior]

If OMax goes does anyone think Wrightsil comes back?

Every day that goes by without Wrightsil finding a landing spot elsewhere makes the possibility more likely. 

Conversely, Ellis & Itegere found landing spots  a few weeks ago.

Zach entered the portal 3/28, with nothing announced since - not even a rumor.

[We R Final Four]

Why is this the case? With NIL aren’t there more incentives for fringe draft picks to stay in school?

Because its a lifelong dream to play in the NBA.
Yes, definitely more $ to sty than ever before……but fringe players want to play in the league.

[We R Final Four]

I was curious about your assertion so I looked at the numbers from last year's NBA Combine.

65 college early entrants were invited to the NBA Combine last season. Of those 65:

25 (38.5%) went in the first round
15 (23.1%) went in the second round (most near the beginning)
18 (27.7%) went undrafted (5 of them only had their COVID year left so may have just not wanted to do school anymore)
7 (10.8%) returned to college

It's only one year of data but the odds definitely favor an NBA draft combine invitee to not return to college. However it is still possible. If OMax is getting high second round buzz or better, he likely goes. If he's not, the odds become a lot better though still not favored. We will see what happens.

I believe these team’s handlers may be telling mid to late 2nd rounder prospects that they are in fact high second rounders…..only not to be chosen. Then these same teams get a player they like without using a 2nd round pick…..then sign them to a FA deal or two way deal. Team gets a mid 2nd rounder with using their mid 2nd round pick.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

I believe these team’s handlers may be telling mid to late 2nd rounder prospects that they are in fact high second rounders…..only not to be chosen. Then these same teams get a player they like without using a 2nd round pick…..then sign them to a FA deal or two way deal. Team gets a mid 2nd rounder with using their mid 2nd round pick.

Teams chronically doing that are going to get a bad reputation pretty quick.

[We R Final Four]

You would hope.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Ben Steele with an O-max update:
Marquette's Olivier-Maxence Prosper is ’all-in’ on preparing for NBA draft, but waiting on decision

[Jockey]

I believe these team’s handlers may be telling mid to late 2nd rounder prospects that they are in fact high second rounders…..only not to be chosen. Then these same teams get a player they like without using a 2nd round pick…..then sign them to a FA deal or two way deal. Team gets a mid 2nd rounder with using their mid 2nd round pick.

2nd round picks are a dime a dozen. Lots would rather be undrafted and be able to sign with any team they like. As far as contract requirements, there are none between a 2nd rounder and a FA.

[Tyler COLEk]

Ben Steele with an O-max update:
Marquette's Olivier-Maxence Prosper is ’all-in’ on preparing for NBA draft, but waiting on decision

Steele’s got the goods as usual. OMax’s singular, “all-in” focus on the draft process jibes with his original statement. Seems like he genuinely hasn’t come to a decision and will wait for all the information he has coming to him before 5/31.

[StillAWarrior]

I believe these team’s handlers may be telling mid to late 2nd rounder prospects that they are in fact high second rounders…..only not to be chosen. Then these same teams get a player they like without using a 2nd round pick…..then sign them to a FA deal or two way deal. Team gets a mid 2nd rounder with using their mid 2nd round pick.

Do you have any evidence to support that belief?

[avid1010]

I felt Vander and Justin had likely played as well as they could at MU and didn't fault them for leaving.  I think O-Max has better ball ahead of him at MU...improve a bit from 3 and get a little better going to the rim and he could go 1st round.  That said...he seems like a smart kid that is likely listening to the right people.

[Jay Bee]

As far as contract requirements, there are none between a 2nd rounder and a FA.

New cap exception for second rounders may influence differences here