Possible Michigan basketball recruit Mitch McGary could skip college, head to NBA
Mitch McGary, 6-foot-10, 250-pound center/forward and one of the nations hottest college basketball recruits, could jump straight to the NBA, Peegs.com reports. That possibility is not something he is talking about, however.
McGary recently wrote on his blog for ESPN that he plans to visit the Michigan campus next month and has narrowed his college choices to Michigan, Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland and Florida. He could leap to the NBA, Peegs.com reports, because by the 2012 NBA draft he will be more than a year removed from high school graduation and 20 years old.
McGary, a Chesterton, Ind., native, will play his second season at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire this year.
"To my knowledge, Mitch has not even thought about or contemplated going from Brewster Academy directly to the NBA," Brewster coach Jason Smith said.
Comments
Megan Greene
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 12:18 a.m.
... and by the way, this is not a new story. Just google the kids name and there are other sources out there mentioning the jump to the pros. Most dismiss it. Most also think he's going to NC or Duke.
Megan Greene
Sun, Aug 21, 2011 : 12:16 a.m.
Gee Dave, North Carolina, Duke, Kentucky see to have no problem with one and doners. Why should we? As long as they're good kids and can help the team, that should be sufficient. Why limit their prospects or ours. Darius Morris a two and doner really helped us. Beilein has to adjust to this reality if he wishes to attract and coach talented players.
81wolverine
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 10:48 p.m.
No one here should panic about this story. This is just some website pointing out a fact based on the rules. There is ZERO evidence that McGary is even considering this as an option. All indications are that he will go to college. For how long? Who knows. But he has stated that he wants to get his degree, whether that means in 4 years or gradually after he plays in the NBA. Whether he is a "one and done" or a 4 year college player is totally unknown. He probably doesn't even know for sure yet. I think he is definitely worth going after regardless of how long he stays. (And my personal opinion is that he would probably stay at least two years) Why? 1. He is good enough to help us win a conference title with the other players we have. 2. Having him at Michigan would be prestigious for our basketball program and could attract other high profile recruits. 3. He appears to be a great kid who fits the Beilein system really well. 4. With him, we'd probably beat MSU twice again. I don't see any downsides here.
KeepingItReal
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
I don't begrudge any of these kids an opportunity to play in the NBA as soon as they can. If a potential NBA kid sustain a career ending injury while in college the college will dump him like a hot potato. They usually don't offer the kids an opportunity to work in the college program. As a matter of fact, kids who don't even play the sport are given more opportunity at the college administration level than kids who play the game. If this kids is good enough to transition to the NBA let him go. If Hardaway wan to go pro and the opportunity presents itself I would encourage him to go. It doesn't make any sense for these kids to be beholden to the college and coaches who makes a ton of money off them but who are beholden to the players.
Joe Kidd
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:08 p.m.
Seems to me that the teams that win championships win with seniors in their starting lineup. Except for the occasional situation where you can get a Fab Five type of thing, which is rare. So taking players who may go after one or two years can turn your program into constantly rebuilding. Would not be surprised to see Tim Hardaway bolt after this coming season if he has a good year. Frankly I never thought Darius Morris would leave before Hardaway. So is it wise to go with a five star player or concentrate on three star players thinking by the time they have 3 or 4 or 5 years in they will develop into the equivalent of a five star first year player, playing on an experienced team? Sort of like chess.
semperveritas
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
mark me down as one who believes that good players want to go to basketball programs with other good players and that WINNING spurs recruiting. so i'd welcome the young man for 1 /2 /3 /4 or 5 years----as long as he wishes to stay and produces both academically and athletically.
15crown00
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
And if this kid gets hurt early in his first season with a SEVERE injury.what does he do with the rest of his life?of all the kids that go this route how many even make in the NBA LET ALONE HAVE A 5-10 year career and are SOLID contributors to their team(s)?
tigers182
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
This is the dumbest argument. How many players never make it to the NBA because they get hurt in college? If he does, then he finds a job like everyone else. What if he makes the league at league minimum, then loses all the money in a ponzie scheme? What if he wants to become a doctor and trips and falls on a scalpel?
226chosen
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
attending a prep school should set off alarm bells on mcgary. Close scrutiny of his academics are indeed in order...The last thing michigan needs is another fab-five like situation.
David Vande Bunte
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
If he is seriously considering going straight to the NBA from High School, Michigan needs to stop the recruiting process immediately. The last thing we need is a one and doner. No matter where he goes to school, if he already thinks he might be good enough for the NBA, he has no intention of sticking around. I cannot stand rental players who come to college for a single year and then ditch their teammates for the NBA. If this is nothing but talk based on his age, and he isn't considering the jump at all, and its just the fanciful imagination of some sports writer/blogger, then obviously, he would be welcomed in Ann Arbor. I just want recruits that plan on sticking around.