Myron: Mbakwe said he will probably enter NBA draft without hiring an agent

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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From the article:

Mbakwe said he will probably enter this summer's NBA draft without hiring an agent, a typical move for players who want to test the waters of the pros without a full commitment. He said he is open to playing in Europe if it's "the right opportunity."

"[Entering the draft] helps people make a lot of decisions because you're actually hearing from the head man, you're not hearing from the runners and the agents," he said. "You're hearing from the people who are actually making the decisions, evaluating your game and seeing where you are as player and if it's best for you to come back or stay or if you're better off just coming out this year. That's definitely the best way to really figure out where you're at."

Mbakwe said there is another factor to consider: what's best for Makhi, his 3-year-old son. Mbakwe said the ability to provide for him will influence whether he stays in college or opts for a pro career after this season.

"He's obviously taking it into consideration," said Jennifer Belsito, Mbakwe's fiancée. "I also know he wants to stay here and develop a little bit more."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/117705093.html

Go Gophers!!
 

BleedGopher said:
From the article:...Mbakwe said there is another factor to consider: what's best for Makhi, his 3-year-old son. Mbakwe said the ability to provide for him will influence whether he stays in college or opts for a pro career after this season.

"He's obviously taking it into consideration," said Jennifer Belsito, Mbakwe's fiancée. "I also know he wants to stay here and develop a little bit more."
http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/117705093.html
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Jennifer has been properly instructed on what to say in order to keep the locals from getting too worked up.;)

As always, it's all about the benjamins, which is to be expected.

If his draft status is likely to remain unchanged 12 months from now, which is a strong possibility, then Trevor is bye bye this spring
 

dinkything said:
Jennifer has been properly instructed on what to say in order to keep the locals from getting too worked up.;)

As always, it's all about the benjamins, which is to be expected.

If his draft status is likely to remain unchanged 12 months from now, which is a strong possibility, then Trevor is bye bye this spring
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A possible NBA lockout is an issue. It's somewhat up to Mbakwe if his draft stock says the same over the next year. He can't change his height. He's a great rebounder, but he's got plenty of room to improve on offensive end and, to a less extent, the defensive end of the court as well. I think it's crazy that people are looking at Mbakwe as if he's a finished product. The guy has only played one year against high level college competition.
 

MotherNight said:
A possible NBA lockout is an issue. It's somewhat up to Mbakwe if his draft stock says the same over the next year. He can't change his height. He's a great rebounder, but he's got plenty of room to improve on offensive end and, to a less extent, the defensive end of the court as well. I think it's crazy that people are looking at Mbakwe as if he's a finished product. The guy has only played one year against high level college competition.
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Agreed. Trevor's old, but he's not done developing. If he could add one or two moves down low to his arsenal, and a jump shot, he'd be a first rounder. As it is, he's not. I'd think he'd be best served to stick around.
 

He needs to develop his left hand, I think. Often it seems he can only go up and through guys because he's so reliant on his right hand. He's been working on his jumper, you can see the improvement in that. But in order to improve his ability to score in the paint, I think he's gonna have to develop that left hand.
 


Having a son the same age myself, that has to weigh heavily. Go to europe, be away from your child and make some good money or refine your skills another season in college and shoot for the NBA, then you can move your family to where you go and make serious cash. Europe will be there after next season if the NBA isn't interested.

Maybe he get's drafted this year, who knows, I'd test the waters too. Other factor is what level he could play at in Europe, seems they make anywere from 60k to 400k. Huge difference.
 

Am I interpreting this right, that he might go out, even knowing that he would probably not make an NBA roster? In other words, would rather play next year in Europe rather than play his senior season here? Even if he's merely considering it as an option, that's a bad sign from where I sit. It shows an eagerness to get out of here. It's the continuation of a trend. How do these other programs keep all-conference players in the fold?
 

Does anyone know where TM is with his education? Is he graduating this spring or does he have work left to do on his degree?

I find it interesting that this article mentions nothing about that. If TM flames out in professional basketball, I would advise him to have a (free) degree to fall back on. Pro ball is no sure thing for him, NBA, Europe or otherwise. I hope he is considering this.
 

GopherJake said:
Does anyone know where TM is with his education? Is he graduating this spring or does he have work left to do on his degree?

I find it interesting that this article mentions nothing about that. If TM flames out in professional basketball, I would advise him to have a (free) degree to fall back on. Pro ball is no sure thing for him, NBA, Europe or otherwise. I hope he is considering this.
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I'm pretty sure he is finished or will be finished with his degree this year. Can't remember where I read that.
 



Bad Gopher said:
Am I interpreting this right, that he might go out, even knowing that he would probably not make an NBA roster? In other words, would rather play next year in Europe rather than play his senior season here? Even if he's merely considering it as an option, that's a bad sign from where I sit. It shows an eagerness to get out of here. It's the continuation of a trend. How do these other programs keep all-conference players in the fold?
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I don't think he's "eager" to leave, just to leave. He's gotta consider he kid. Most all-conference players aren't 23 and have a kid. He's weighing that option cause it's hard to sit there and tell a guy to ignore potential money, regardless of where he could make it, when he has a family to think about.

Regarding his education, I'm pretty sure he's finishing his undergrad degree this spring, I feel like I read that somewhere too.
 


Bad Gopher said:
Am I interpreting this right, that he might go out, even knowing that he would probably not make an NBA roster? In other words, would rather play next year in Europe rather than play his senior season here? Even if he's merely considering it as an option, that's a bad sign from where I sit. It shows an eagerness to get out of here. It's the continuation of a trend. How do these other programs keep all-conference players in the fold?
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You're looking waaay too much into that statement. He clearly said he was considering the situation with his son. Money is a nice thing to have when you're trying to raise a family. Also keep in mind he hasn't even left yet. For all we know he's going to be back next year.
 

Not saying he is or isn't coming back but underclassman "test the waters" of the nba without hiring an agent all the time without even the intent of leaving - who knows what the case is here.
 



Tubby WANTS his players to test waters. When he was at Kentucky, he implored his players to go to the camps and see what the scouts tell them. He wants them to hear from other people what the players need to work on to improve their draft stock. It doesn't mean that the player intends on staying in the draft. I expect Trevor will declare, then decide to come back just like JuJuan Johnson and Talor Battle did last year.
 

No surprise at all that he is testing the waters. He has nothing to lose and everything to gain by attending. He can go, hear what his strengths are, what he needs to work on, and where he can expect to go in the draft all the while seeing how he matches up with the best college players in the country. Any JR who has a chance to get drafted should do it...
 

I would be very surprised if Trevor found a job in the NBA this year or next. But, playing overseas is a very real possibility. Once he decides the NBA is not an option, I would assume he will consider his other options. In other words, I hope he comes back, but I'm not betting on it.
 

GophersOnTheRise said:
You're looking waaay too much into that statement. He clearly said he was considering the situation with his son. Money is a nice thing to have when you're trying to raise a family. Also keep in mind he hasn't even left yet. For all we know he's going to be back next year.
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Understandable that he would test the NBA waters. It's just that this is the first I've heard him refer to Europe. Thanks for the reassurance, but I have a bad vibe about this. You have to understand - I have a dollar riding on this with Holy Man.
 

figi said:
I would be very surprised if Trevor found a job in the NBA this year or next. But, playing overseas is a very real possibility. Once he decides the NBA is not an option, I would assume he will consider his other options. In other words, I hope he comes back, but I'm not betting on it.
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It seems to be harder to go from College to Europe and then get bumped to the NBA. If he want's a shot at the big time, he's better off playing another year in Mn working on his game. If he's happy with his Europe stock/paycheck option go get it.
 

ERGreenberg Ethan Greenberg
by SouhanStrib
@
@SouhanStrib like the sarcasm. Can't watch the game, but how did Mbakwe's NBA audition go today?

Myron rip?
 

Going from Europe to the NBA doesn't happen unless Europe is in the place of college.
 

He's making the right choice, I don't see an issue. Nothing wrong with going in and hearing from scouts what he needs to improve on.
 

figi said:
I would be very surprised if Trevor found a job in the NBA this year or next. But, playing overseas is a very real possibility. Once he decides the NBA is not an option, I would assume he will consider his other options. In other words, I hope he comes back, but I'm not betting on it.
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Europe. He is not ready for the NBA. I am guessing he wants to start earning some money and will place that ahead of a degree.
 

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