Is Derozan going in the draft?

He would be top 5 if he continued to improve jis jumper, ball handling, IQ, etc. I still think he woudln’t go higher then 3 though with Wall, Favors, Henry, Cousins, Monroe and any other good player that stays.

He really turned it on late and had his best performances in the Pac-10 tourney and the NCAA tourney. He showed me a lot and he didn’t shy away from the pressure like a few other top prospects did (James Harden unfortunately). While I still think coming back would benefit his game I totally understand a decision to go pro now.

His potential right now is his big sell, and after that strong run refreshing that hype, his stock is top 10 again, probably closer to 5 than to 10. With a few big time prospects coming alot and a few big names staying, what does he really have to gain by staying? Him especially, any sort of serious injury could really be a setback for him. He has none as of now, and is looking at guranteed millions. No chance, he is gone.

Your right his stock could go up even higher next season, but I believe he should enter the draft without hiring a agent or signing any endorsement deals, get drafted, and return to USC for his sophomore year. Why should he do this? Because by getting drafting, most likely in the top 10, of this years weak draft class, he can still play at USC to improve his game, before he gets to the NBA and let’s say if his production drops, he still knows he got drafted and his rights his own by whatever team, and he still gets top 10 money. Larry Bird first started such a move, way back, that’s how the Celtics ending up with Kevin McHale the following draft because Bird wasn’t around to help them the year they drafted him, they lost a lot of games and ended up in the lottery again.

I thought that the league got rid of that rule in one of the union agreements. But then again, didn’t this happen with Randoplh Morris, a few years again with Kentucky.

Not a bad idea Don, but players can’t do that anymore: “Shortly afterwards, the NBA draft eligibility rules were changed to prevent teams from drafting players before they were ready to sign. The rule is called the Bird Collegiate Rule”. Randolph Morris on the other hand entered the draft after his freshman year but went undrafted which is why he was technically an undrafted free agent when he signed with the Knicks later on.

Another year is great but like everybody has noticed, he had a very strong finsh towards the end of the season…..scoring 18points or so his last game against MST. VEry strong performace. Except the last two shots he took towards the end of the game pissed me off! Darn…..but next year, USC is going to be alot better with the addition of Sidney and Hill. PLus, some of the returning players. Don made a very good point in how Derozan should not take the agent, etc. Great idea…..if you could actually do it. rgiller was right on the money about the “Bird Collegiate Rule.” Wish college players could do that though (not sign an agent, etc.) but, the NBA has them locked in. Your either in, or out mentality. So all in a nut shell, good idea for demar to enter the 2009 NBA draft.

I REALLY WISH HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS COULD ENTER THE DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, thhat should be a new forum lol!

It is impossible to get drafted by a NBA team and return back to school. Once you keep your name listed as draft eligible after a certain date, there is no looking back.

Alot of players have good tournaments and declare off of strictly off of those performances. Remember Tyrus Thomas,Randolph Morris,Renaldo Balkman (NIT) etc? The only player who really did this and is a elite player in the league is Devin Harris. Derozen (just like the flops I mentioned) have alot,probably too much work to do on there basketball skills before the NBA’s teams consider them quality players in the league. You wont see time in the league if you cant dribble,pass,OR shoot! Thats exactly what Derozen is right now,real athletic but not a true player

I think the situation is a little different for Derozen. He had a lot more hype because he was a top 5 freshman in the country coming out of high school, he was getting comparsions to Vince Carter because of his athleticism.