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Announcements are also expected before too much longer that freshmen DeMar DeRozan (USC) and Jrue Holiday (UCLA/Campbell Hall of North Hollywood) will also makes themselves available for the draft.

It wouldn't be surprising to see both players hire agents soon after their respective announcements and stay in the draft for good, instead of just "testing the waters" while retaining the ability to pull out and return to college next season.

NBA-types also anticipate that USC juniors Taj Gibson and Daniel Hackett will, at the very least, test the waters.

There is also some speculation that the 6-5 Hackett could play professionally in Italy (where he was born).

7 months ago Bruinsnation_tiny Nestor 5 comments 0 recs  | 

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2 quick points

1) Frank Burlison is one of the most respected basketball reporters/columnists in Southern California. I think he always offers well informed and reasoned information.

2) I think if JH is going to hire agents I hope he does it sooner rather than later so that Coach Howland and UCLA basketball can move on with their plans. I will try to expand more on that point later.

by Nestor on Apr 7, 2009 5:01 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Not a Surprise

Frank Burlison knows more about basketball in SoCal than just about anyone so I would say it’s pretty much a lock he’s dead on with this one. But it’s not like he’s going out on a limb. I think any rational fan this year knew that JH was one-and-done before he even stepped on campus, no matter how well or poorly he played.
I agree with N that I hope he makes his decision so everyone can just move on and concentrate on the players who want to be part of the team next year.

richramus

by richramus on Apr 7, 2009 9:41 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope that JH

has the class to hire an agent early if he knows for sure he is going to leave. If we lose him we lose him, and Frank Burlison is as respected as they come. This also brings up the point, based on UNC winning the championship game last night, on how important it is for these big programs to keep their players if they truly want to make a run at the championship. UNC never wins the title if UCLA keeps Love, Westbrook, or LRMAM….or if Kansas keeps Rush and Chalmers……or if Memphis keeps Rose and Douglas-Roberts. My point is not to “put down” the accomplishments of UNC, but to simply point out that if a program like UNC, or UCLA, or Kansas is lucky enough to keep their studs into their senior or junior years, they have a great shot at being a National Champion if the other great programs can’t keep theirs. Having a Hansbrough, or a Green for four years and having them compete against teams with alot less experience and talent, makes for a recipe for success. No sour grapes, just the facts. I have alot of respect for Hansbrough, Green, and Lawson, but having so much experience was a huge advantage. However, kudo’s to them for staying and setting a great example. Those guys had alot of pride in UNC and it showed in their desire and play. However, I truly believe that a team of Westbrook at the point, Collison at the shooting guard, LRAMM at the small forward, AA at the power forward spot, and KL at center…..with Shipp and the rest coming off the bench………………would have destroyed UNC. Not reality, but a nice dream nonetheless.:)

by muircoach on Apr 7, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I hope he stays

and not so much for my benefit as a fan, but for his as a player.

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Apr 7, 2009 9:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I agree with Mexi

Holiday is a great player – great enough to start on a top team as a freshman. But I thought he had to be not just great but really GREAT to figure he had a shot at the extremely large dollars (not that there are any small dollars in the NBA). He didn’t seem to me to be of the caliber of Love (who is) or Westbrook (ditto) or quite a few other guys who I saw in the tournament. But having said that,if I were he I would take the incrementally smaller dollars (which would be enough to financially fix me and my family forever) and take my shot. It’s tough for me to bear in mind, but all these guys are great players and always have been great players since they were three, and have always been able to accept any physical challenge. I certainly don’t blame anyone for opting for financial security, even if it is not with a guaranteed lottery pick contract.

by Fox 71 on Apr 7, 2009 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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