Published: April 30, 2009
UConn forward Ater Majok will test the NBA waters as the spring suddenly morphs into summer.
The agile, athletically gifted 6-foot-10 forward was projected to form a formidable frontline package featuring projected top-three pick Hasheem Thabeet and muscle-bound workhorse Jeff Adrien this season.
But Majok never passed NCAA clearinghouse rules, and was therefore relegated to the role of benchwarming spectator.
So, before even scoring a point or registering a minute of burn in a UConn jersey, Major decided to jump the gun. He decided he was ready for the next level.
According to NCAA regulations, Majok cannot suit up until December of 2009.
His NBA stock remains to be placed on a scale.
Perhaps the 22-year-old freshman wants to get on a court that badly.
Or, the YouTube sensation jumped at the idea of being selected in a draft which – beyond the first 2-3 picks – is as open as the ocean.
Any kid with a smooth handle, a moist jumper, and the physically possible capability of making a three-point bucket seems to think they’re a surefire shot to hop aboard an NBA team this summer.
Don’t get it twisted, though. With Ricky Rubio declaring and other recent moves, it is starting to heat up and get intriguing.
Stephen Curry, the Davidson wunderkind and son of former NBA shootist Dell Curry, will forgoe his senior year at Davidson and take the long NBA green. Curry is projected as a first round pick, according to Hoops Addict.
With all these unproven cats suddenly jumping to the draft, coupled with Jeremy Tyler’s recent decision to forgo his senior year of high school for Euroball, who doesn’t want to jump to the professional ranks these days?
The economic free fall is being felt by just about everyone and if you can compete, why not compete now?
The aforementioned Majok isn’t the only one who made a questionable decision.
The Syracuse basketball nation took a strong blow today when news that Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Eric Devendorf would declare for the upcoming NBA draft was thrust to the forefront.
The three-headed monster “must submit their intentions in writing to the NBA office, which must receive their notices by 11:59 p.m. on April 26. NBA personnel will comb through the entries and announce within a few days a list that contains the names of the legitimate players who have submitted applications,” according to Tim Frank, the NBA’s vice president of basketball communications.
Flynn, more so than Harris and Devendorf, appeared NBA ready.
The pint-sized guard watched his NBA draft stock soar while he steered the big Orange ship into the Big East championship title game. He also helped the Orange to a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Orange suffered a knockout at the hands of projected No.1 pick Blake Griffin and Oklahoma during the sweet 16.
Flynn was an integral part of Syracuse’s unpredictable run to the Big East championship game. His ability to scrape opponents off the dribble, lose defenders in traffic and take the ball to the tin at a relentless pace his vaulted him into a different zip code.
Harris and Devendorf, however, appear to be on a different ship.
Harris, who came to Syracuse as a well known recruit out of Notre Dame Prep, averaged 12 points and eight boards. Harris, who has two sons, was feast or famine this season. He lit up UConn for 29 points in the aforementioned six overtime thriller at Madison Square Garden, but got his masters degree in blowing layups that night–a la Charles Smith in the 1994 Knicks/Bulls series.
Harris has two sons. Proudly shouldering the burden of father is perhaps a major factor in his decision. A tryout with an NBA team or a signing with a European time, however, is likely in the cards for Harris. As a muscle-bound 6-foot-4 forward, he would likely be a tweener in the NBA. In Europe, where slender shooters are the majority and versatile bigs are sorely lacking, Harris could make an impact.
Devendorf gave an efficient account of himself this season, springing back from injury as a better player. The kid mired in legal troubles early on was more of a problem on the basketball court, scorching the nets during the Big East tournament (with impressive range and accuracy) and getting free for fast break lay-ins.
Despite rumors that “Devo” was staying put (Eric’s father, Curt, recently told the Syracuse Post-Standard that his son “loves Syracuse and would return for his senior season”), the guard who averaged 15.7 points and three dimes will weigh his professional stock.
Devendorf is unlikely to get picked and might take the Brandon Jennings Euro trip. A workhorse in the classroom, the bright baller has already completed the amount of credits he needs to graduate. He has a baby daughter and will look to make life easier for his family by taking his game to the next level.
