Who on the current roster has the best chance of playing in the NBA at some point?

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MadtownGopher

MadtownGopher

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I don't think we have any legit NBA talent at the moment, but if I had to pick our best hope...

This may surprise some people, but I think I'd have to go with Mathieu. He is not only our most important player, but our most reliable. Other than Wally's ability to high jump, I'd say Mathieu's athleticism (speed, quickness, vertical) is the only elite talent or skill on our entire roster. I could see him finding a niche in the NBA as a Earl Boykins/Isaiah Thomas (non-HOF)/Nate Robinson type energy man off the bench. He would have to really work on his shot and defense against bigger guards though. And it would almost assuredly be after a successful D-League or International stint.

Other than Mathieu I'd probably go with a grouping of Dre/Mo/EE, but all three would have to improve significantly (like a Kelly Olynyk transformation) over the next year.
 

I'd say Mo, He is just getting used to his new body, and the NBA loves size, if he improve on his game going into next season I can see a team taken a flier on him in the 2nd round. I personally don't see lil Dre getting much love in the nba draft, he'd likely have to work just as hard or even harder as the way he made it to the gophers. probably have to impress in summer league, Dleague, or over seas to get a chance in the nba. The size thing will kill him with the gm's.
 


As you say, maybe Mathieu. He's awfully short though. I really don't see anyone else.

I'll just say I never understood some of the other predictions.
 

Legitimately, nobody. We have several good COLLEGE players, but nobody who really has a shot to make it in the NBA.
 


GuyFawkes said:
I'd say Mo, He is just getting used to his new body, and the NBA loves size, if he improve on his game going into next season I can see a team taken a flier on him in the 2nd round. I personally don't see lil Dre getting much love in the nba draft, he'd likely have to work just as hard or even harder as the way he made it to the gophers. probably have to impress in summer league, Dleague, or over seas to get a chance in the nba. The size thing will kill him with the gm's.
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I agree with it being a tough route for Mathieu. I just think everyone else's chances are even worse. If Earl Boykins (5'5), Isaiah Thomas (5'9), and Nate Robinson (5'9) can make it, it gives me hope that maybe Mathieu can put in the time and effort to get himself to the next level.

I think Buggs would be a decent answer as well. The light needs to go on at some point though.
 

Call me crazy, but McNeil reminds me a little bit of Wesley Matthews jr. in his body movements. Obviously the production is not comparable.

The point I'm trying to make is that of the upper classmen, each has too large of a flaw. I agree that maybe the new Mo could get a shot.




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bugs could be an actual decent player or very good player at the next level but we said the same thing about Rodney for 4 years so...
 

EE. Not many 7-1 players. I haven't heard it this year yet, but usually once a year or so the announcers mention NBA scouts are here to see him play.
 

Mathieu. He's one of the fastest PGs in the country, uncanny scoring ability, great intensity. If he can hit the NBA distance 3, why not?
 




I don't see any future NBA players on this team. Eliason is the most likely to get a look if he gets stronger this offseason.
 

Block M said:
Mathieu. He's one of the fastest PGs in the country, uncanny scoring ability, great intensity. If he can hit the NBA distance 3, why not?
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Quickness can certainly make up for his lack of size......but I'm concerned that his driving ability won't be as effective in the NBA. If he could develop a better jump shot, I could see him playing in the NBA. He also needs to limit his turnovers. There won't be many teams willing to let him run their offense with the amount of lost dribbles that he has.
 

I think Lil Dre is a legit long shot. The other one I might throw out there is Malik Smith. He has good size, rebounding ability and, most importantly, NBA range. I don't know if he's any more of a defensive liability than Voshon Lenard, and Vo had a long NBA career.

No matter who it is, they would have a lot of improvement and development ahead of them.
 



If Joey's fadeaway would have gone in, I would have voted for him.
 


Dre Hollins may get a look someday as a back-up PG. Little Dre and Elliot might as well. There's no 1st round NBA draft picks on this team though.
 


-Mathieu is only realistic chance to play in NBA. Most likely in a reserve role. Needs to improve jumpshot.
-Dre Hollins- Looks extremely unathletic in Pitino's offense. Is it the ankle. I don't think it is. He's a pick and roll player. Will move into the business world after college.
-Austin Hollins- Will gets some looks because of his name but best chance to play professionally will be overseas. God he frustrates me. Needs to realize he's a slasher and not a jump shooter.
-Eliason- Not athletic enough to handle NBA bigs. Europe maybe but I seem to remember an article stating his degree was important to his dad.
-Walker- Not athletic enough. Probably will play overseas somewhere.
-Smith- Role player at best. Would be better off playing overseas where he could become a star in wide open game.
-Oto/King/Mav Not a chance. Get your degree and network yourself. Mav seems the most likely to me to get into coaching.
-Buggs/McNeil too small a sample size to know what type of college players they are going to be.
 

Gopher Warrior said:
What has gotten into the water?!
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For Christ's sales, this isn't who WILL play in the NBA, this is who's MOST LIKELY. If you don't have any intention to engage in the conversation, just stay away. In fact, just stay away. Could anyone be more annoying than you if they tried? And yes, that includes BigGopherFan.
 

FWIW, Pitino himself said before the season started that although he's raw, Buggs "probably has the most pro potential on the team."
 

Bad Gopher said:
For Christ's sales, this isn't who WILL play in the NBA, this is who's MOST LIKELY. If you don't have any intention to engage in the conversation, just stay away. In fact, just stay away. Could anyone be more annoying than you if they tried? And yes, that includes BigGopherFan.
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GW's ego is so big, I don't think he would fit through the doorway.

I still think Andre has a shot. He still has a full season left and he has shown he can be a big time scorer. Maybe after another year in Pitino's system, he'll really take off and have a 20 point/game season.
 


I don't really see anyone on this team playing in the NBA, but I'm going to go with Buggs and McNeil as the guys with the best odds. I really like McNeils defense and ball handling. If he really improves his jumper (while also continuing to develop in other areas) he could have a chance. Buggs just needs to get comfortable playing the game. I've seen very few players, if any, with a bigger range between their ceiling and floor (if that makes any sense).
 

I think lil Dre, Dre, Austin, Mo and EE will get looks, invited to the NBA summer League, but I can't see any of them making it. I'm not sure if the light will go on for Buggs, but if it does look out. I like MCNeil plays with in himself, it'll be interesting to see how he handles more responsibility as he turns into an upperclassmen
 

howieramone said:
He was listed at 7-1 his entire redshirt freshman year. Not sure when they started to list him at 6-11. I haven't seen a taller player in the B1G.
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are you sure? i don't recall him ever being listed as 7-1, and he was listed as 6-11 as a recruit
 

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