Of all the college freshmen to enter the NBA draft over the last five years, none have made an All-Star team.
Published 20:48, June the 29th, 2009
Jumping early
2010 diaper dandies already talking NBA
Of all the college freshmen to enter the NBA draft over the last five years, none have made an All-Star team.
Soon-to-be college freshmen are already breaking the hearts of future fans long before stepping foot on campus.
Even though last week’s NBA draft only saw five one-and-done players taken in the first round — as compared to four in the top five in 2008 — next year’s lottery figures to be loaded with plenty of college freshmen. High schoolers are no longer allowed to make the immediate jump to the league, but the present-day loophole still isn’t keeping diaper dandies from taking such a huge risk.
“I do consider leaving early,” said University of Kentucky-bound DeMarcus Cousins, following April’s Jordan Classic. “If I’m blessed with the opportunity to be one and done, I’ll take it.”
Any doubt Cousins had was melted away by his new coach in Lexington, John Calipari.
“He told me the same thing,” Cousins said.
As a sign of bluegrass solidarity, fellow UK signee Daniel Orton doesn’t see himself on campus for more than a year, either.
“I’m definitely only there for a year if I’m good enough to leave early,” Orton said.
Calipari’s latest one-and-done, Tyreke Evans, was drafted No. 4 last week. Before that, Derrick Rose went No. 1 in 2008.
College isn’t for everyone, though. Brandon Jennings spent last season in Europe before getting drafted at No. 10. Jennings cautioned incoming freshmen to make sure they’re ready.
“It’s not that you can’t or won’t do well if you spent just a year in college,” Jennings said. “If you want to actually make an impact [in the NBA] and not waste your first couple of years, stay in school or go overseas. You’ll be better than the rest. Guaranteed.”
