Quite stinging to say the least. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2005/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2096777 What now, Randolph Morris? What now, Kelenna Azubuike? You guys could have been part of a 2006 national championship contender at the University of Kentucky – maybe even the preseason No. 1 team. Instead you wake up today as young men without a team, or a grasp on your dream. You whiffed in the NBA draft, making the worst career decisions since Michael Jordan decided he could hit a curve ball. Azubuike went from Kentucky hero to undrafted free agent. What now, Matt Walsh? What now, Anthony Roberson? You could have been part of a team equipped to battle Kentucky on even terms, the Florida Gators. Instead you wake up today with egos and expectations trampled after seeing 60 players picked by the NBA – none of them you. Your "advisers" who counseled you to turn pro and stay in the draft ... what are they telling you this morning – if they have the nerve to return your calls? What now, Olu Famutimi? What now, Kennedy Winston? You bailed on Arkansas and Alabama, respectively, where you could have been key players on potential Top 25 teams. Instead you wake up today with the words "undrafted free agent" following your names, and no guaranteed money headed to your bank accounts. Hope you guys didn't spend too much advance money from your agents, because it could be hard to pay them back on a D-League salary. Tuesday night, a looming lose-lose proposition came home to roost on the Southeastern Conference. And in the end, it was worse than even the most devout pessimists could have envisioned.
Forde gives it to these guys like they deserve. You could feel sorry for them but they made they are big boys and can make decisions for themselves.
Ford was very critical of brandon bass and said he might not get drafted at all...looks like the SEC's gonna be weak in basketball next year...
I have been a fan of letting the undrafted players go back to school, but then again, if we did this, EVERYONE would declare at the end of the year, because they would always have school to fall back on.. The real shocker to me is Winston. I really think he is a decent little player, and that if he plays his cards right in the summer league, he will land somewhere.
It is being reported that since Morris did not get drafted and did not hire an agent, he has 30 days to let UK know whether or not he wants toretain his eligibility. Key is "did he hire an agent?" Seems like Morris will be crawling back to Tubby begging for his scholarship. For Walsh and Roberson, they are up the creek, they did hire agent. K AZ story is a hard one. Father is in a lot of trouble with the feds. Lawer bills running in millions...AZ doing whats best for the family, which sucks...smart and great kid...helping out family due the old man screwing up.
why don't they just not sign with agents then they could return. Ray Allen did this and saved millions as discussed by quite a few people today.
i think the above linked article was right on about this. they dont want to go back to school. its not just that they want the nba. they are looking for people to tell them what they want to hear, and there is no shortage of them.
Yes he withdrew but his Father mouthed off that he was being played out of position at Auburn. That is true but Coach Lebo did what was best for the team with the limited talent he had to work with, not what was best for Douglas. he decided he wanted to transfer to Ole Piss where a former Auburn ass't that recruited him is. Lebo said he would not release him to another SEC school but agreed he should move on somewhere. I heard a rumor he my be going to FSU.
Update to my post above......it is confirmed that Douglas has signed with FSU and is already in school. He will have to sit out a year. The article in today's papaer notes that Douglas took the 2nd most shots in the SEC last year but his Father felt he should have a bigger role. :shock:
