Friday, May 27th, 2011 at 2:36 pm  |  9 responses

School Is Cool, Fool

Selby, Mack, and Joseph should’ve returned to school.

by Jeff Fox / @HoopsManifesto

In the last action-packed episode of Draft 365, we identified some NCAA players who should have entered their names into this year’s NBA Draft.  Now for the flipside – here are some of the players who were a little too hasty in departing school and entering this year’s draft.  While there are scores of underclassman who have entered the draft this year and won’t even get selected, these are the three players who stood out to us as guys who should have kept going to class.   And remember, second round picks in the NBA aren’t given guaranteed contracts or are locks to even get a roster spot, so some of these guys could find themselves playing in some far away land with an unpronounceable name this time next year.

School Is Cool, Fool

(Players who entered the Draft but shouldn’t have)

Josh Selby – Kansas

Heading into this season, Josh Selby was considered to be a potential top-10 pick in this year’s draft.  Now, after a subpar freshman season with Kansas, the 6-3 combo guard will be lucky to sneak into the bottom of the first round.  Selby’s stock dropped dramatically due to his inconsistent play on the court and questions about his attitude and maturity.  Another year in college, to mature his game (can he improve his point guard skills so he isn’t solely an undersized shooting guard?), his mind and his body would be the best medicine for his ailing draft prospects.

Shelvin Mack – Butler

Apparently Butler junior Shelvin Mack has gotten bored of playing in the NCAA. Two Final Fours and he wants to go pro.  However, Mack would be better suited to return for his senior year with the Bulldogs as he’s looking like nothing more than a second-round pick at this point.  Another season in college to improve his point guard skills (like Selby he’s a 6-3 shooting guard) and become the focal point of the team  with Matt Howard graduating would certainly help his draft stock.

Cory Joseph – Texas

In a shocking move, Longhorns’ freshman point guard Cory Joseph bolted from college after only one season and entered this year’s draft.  Joseph is being projected as going as low as the very last pick of the whole draft this year, so leaving college with three years of eligibility left is a real head scratcher.  While he is a mature player on the floor, another year in Austin would have helped him get stronger physically and definitely move him up the draft boards.

Read more of Jeff Fox at The Hoops Manifesto and The MMA Manifesto.

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  • Groves

    i think a lot of these players stayed in because of who dropped out, and with a weaker draft this year than next year they thought their best shot would be now. so i can’t knock em

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    Jeff, you’re on point with this one.
    Selby and Joseph especially should have returned.
    But do you think the impending arrival of Myck Kabongo influenced Joseph’s decision?

  • http://www.hoopsmanifesto.com Jeff Fox

    I was surprised when Kabongo signed with Texas because I assumed Joseph would be there 3-4 years. Whether his presence sent Joseph into the draft, I don’t know.

  • http://www.courtvisionmag.com caseyouainthurd

    Well Shelby probably would have went pro out of HS if he could. He really wants to make the jump. He seemed very disinterested at Kansas. Corey Joseph, Myck Kabongo, and Tristan Thompson have played together for a long time on the AAU circuit wit the Grassroots Canada squad. So i don’t think Joseph left because of Kabongo. They know how to share a backcourt. I don’t know why Corey is leaving Austin. Mack is just not a NBA player the way I look at it. This year or next his draft stock would be the same.

  • http://www.courtvisionmag.com caseyouainthurd

    Selby*

  • Darrell Robinson

    Joseph I agree should have stayed at Texas. His skills would have sharpened immensely. Selby I think should have stayed because I think he needs the mentoring. Also he did not display a lot at Kansas. However, best of luck to both players and I hope they are successful in the NBA. Maybe Joseph can get drafted to the Spurs. Could be Tony Parker’s apprentice.

  • http://redoftoothandclaw.ca/ niQ

    Although I agree Josh Selby should’ve stayed 1 more year, I’ve been hearing that scouts are loving Selby at the workouts. He could actually be a sleeper in this draft.

  • http://www.need4sheed.com Tarzan Cooper

    niq, thats because hes extremely talented. he was suspended at the beginning of the season, was injured almost the rest of the way, and was trying to fit in on a pretty loaded team. i figured he would stay another year where he could be the main guy. i guess he thinks its worth the money now for his family. his game kinda reminds me of gilbert. he can score from anywhere, pass well, and try hard on d.

  • http://www.stonesthrow.com Michael NZ

    Nice piece Jeff. I totally agree on Selby and Joseph, however I disagree on Mack – I think he’s made the right call.

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