The college basketball season will be shaped by many factors, and one of them is annually the collection of decisions made by players to either go to the NBA Draft or return to school. Many players declare for the draft but don’t sign with an agent, which enables them to remain uncommitted and then make a final decision by the NBA Draft declaration deadline. That deadline is soon approaching, so it’s time for players to get off the fence and make choices which will shape their futures. Here are some of the prominent players who should stay in the draft instead of going back to school next season:
Caleb Swanigan, Purdue Boilermakers
The most obvious stay-in-the-draft decision among those players who have not finalized their plans (signed with an agent) is Swanigan’s. He’s a very developed physical specimen. He will not suffer in low-post battles in terms of his strength and upper-body muscle. Only a select few players in the NBA would be able to naturally overpower him. Where he might suffer is in the development of technique, specifically footwork. Many veteran post players would be able to take advantage in his first few years, but they would do so with guile and not brute strength. Swanigan would be able to compete for loose balls and rebounds in his first season. He would be a competent defender just because he would be hard to overwhelm.
Then consider Swanigan’s offensive repertoire: He can play with his back to the basket and use an array of post moves and hook shots, but he can also face up to the basket and hit 17-foot jump shots with great consistency. In a few years, he could become a legitimate stretch center, pulling opposing big men away from the basket and creating space for teammates to drive and cut. He has an extensive set of tools which should make him a very solid pro. He’s ready.
D.J. Wilson, Michigan Wolverines
The other players on this list are not as ready as Swanigan, but they have good arguments to make to NBA teams. Wilson is not as strong as Swanigan, but he is leaner and faster. He runs the floor very well and can shoot long shots with accuracy. His long wingspan will make him a good defender in time, but he does need to develop some more muscle to withstand a pounding – that’s the biggest reason he might need another year of school. However, on balance, the full collection of Wilson’s skills is NBA-caliber. He can learn for a few years and then take off. NBA teams should like his ceiling.
Semi Ojeleye, SMU Mustangs
Before considering anything else about Ojeleye, one must realize that he is almost 23 years old. NBA teams like to draft younger players, partly because they know they can take a few years to develop, and partly because it means they’ll have longer careers if the player succeeds. A player who is almost 23 has more tread on the tires, so teams might feel they have less upside from the player. This is why Ojeleye needs to stay in the draft. If he’s almost 24 next year, teams might shy away from him even more. He needs to get paid and start his pro career now.
Eric Mika, BYU Cougars
The details which pertain to Ojeleye are also in place for Mika, who is already 23. How much higher can he rise as a draft prospect in one season? Maybe he can make a big jump, but what if he cannot? Then he would be in an even bigger mess. The safe play is to get that professional paycheck and not risk losing a year of NBA viability. He probably won’t go until the second round, but that’s better than not getting drafted.
The other factor here is that BYU just isn’t that good these days. If he was a good player on a good team, and was getting some national attention, then maybe that factors here. BYU is a middling school these days, so Mika should declare for the draft.
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