I hadn't heard this ... but, likely he is testing for feedback. Don't blame him.
Lowe entering name into draft ...
- Thread starter Bluesbrother
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I seem to recall that Calipari used to say all the players should enter the Draft to get feedback, etc. If that is true, why wouldn't even more guys go through the process? I would guess you have to be chosen to even go through the workouts and talk to teams, but I don't actually know how that works. For instance, would a guy like Garrison benefit from going through the draft process even if he knew he wouldn't be selected?
This is BS.
You enter the portal, get a huge NIL deal (contract) then do this.
But for all those who like this new era of sports, this will continue to happen.
I don't buy into this "getting" feedback crap one bit. You think these players don't already know what they need to work on? If they don't then what are these coaches doing?
You enter the portal, get a huge NIL deal (contract) then do this.
But for all those who like this new era of sports, this will continue to happen.
I don't buy into this "getting" feedback crap one bit. You think these players don't already know what they need to work on? If they don't then what are these coaches doing?
Yeap. They're getting their NIL first so that they have something to fall back on if the NBA draft doesn't work out.
Remember when he tried to encourage the walk-ons to put their name in the draft? Lol. Sometimes Cal was from another planet.
Yeah - he did this several days ago. He's not listed on any draft projections, so this is about getting feedback and familiarity with the process.
I don’t have any issue with guys going through the process. Sometimes it’s more impactful to get the feedback straight from the source. I also trust the staff has a good read on guys going through the process. Crazy stuff can happen, but I’m not worried about our two guys doing it and expect them back.
Probably means he’s gone after next year since you’re only allowed to enter twice.
I almost guarantee UK paid him more than any NBA team is willing to.
This is the NIL era.
Players don’t have to go pro and make peanuts in the G-League anymore.
The only players that are leaving are first rounders with guaranteed contracts.
There might be a few that are just sick of going to class or whatever or get bad advice, but for the most part marginally talented players will make more money in college than in the NBA/G-League.
I like this era. Just a few short years ago, guys like Oweh and Lowe would be gone for sure with no incentive to stay.
This is the NIL era.
Players don’t have to go pro and make peanuts in the G-League anymore.
The only players that are leaving are first rounders with guaranteed contracts.
There might be a few that are just sick of going to class or whatever or get bad advice, but for the most part marginally talented players will make more money in college than in the NBA/G-League.
I like this era. Just a few short years ago, guys like Oweh and Lowe would be gone for sure with no incentive to stay.
This is why you need contracts. if you get an NIL deal and leave for the draft and get drafted you do not get the NIL !
If I was his age and got chance to go work out for pro teams and the combine for a month after Spring semester that would be a no brainer. Who amoing you wouldn't.
The experience of showcasing your game in front of pro guys for an honest analysis, has to be quite a thrill for these guys.
The feedback: You're a sucky three point shooter. Go back to school. Work on your horrific shot selection. Get paid. And don't come back to see us for two more years. Got it, slick?
This is where I am.
I am sure the people who still think it’s 1963 will find a way to be mad about it.
If he has communicated with Pope about his intention to do this all along, and that he’s only doing it for the feedback and experience, and he will be back regardless… then meh.
If he threw a curve ball out of the blue and blind sided Pope by doing the portal thing, getting his NIL deal, and saying he wasn’t going to the draft this year, only to now put his name in the draft and create an unknown about his status… then I think it’s fair to rather pissed about it, regardless of how old you are as a fan.
If he threw a curve ball out of the blue and blind sided Pope by doing the portal thing, getting his NIL deal, and saying he wasn’t going to the draft this year, only to now put his name in the draft and create an unknown about his status… then I think it’s fair to rather pissed about it, regardless of how old you are as a fan.
Some of y'all putting this dude down saying he has no shot going pro have no idea what kind of player he is apparently. He's a dynamic athlete that will be a star here. He has a better shot at getting drafted right now than oweh does .
He's actually not. He's been a pretty darn good 3 pt shooter his whole life besides last season. 35+%
Definitely underestimating Pope’s IQ if you think they are giving players NIL money and then letting them leave for the NBA.
"Besides last season."
155 attempts.
27%.
That's like saying someone is a great driver outside of the couple DUIs they got in a calendar year.
I love the young man's game, but he's not a good three point shooter right now. In time, he certainly could be. I don't understand why you think it's "putting him down" to state facts about his percentage.
Pulled up his HS stats and according to MaxPreps he was 54% from 3 on 90 attempts as a Junior.
Possible that last year was an outlier, with some combination of hero ball forces on a bad team and a hand injury (heard this but not sure if true?).
This is a nothing burger and it looks to me, given the timing of it, that Pope told him to go through the process and get evaluated by NBA guys and work hard on those things.
Same as Oweh they're going to get evaluated and both will be at UK in 25-26.
You are probably right but while he may be here but it seems his heart may not be. That is the difference in todays players.
There heart will be at UK just going to go get evaluated to see what they need to work on so they can get to the next level.
It's the best thing for us as long as Pope doesn't do what Cal did and do everything possible to deplete his team every year by moving players in and out like cattle.
Future recruits and portal guys will see the Pope gives them that stage, but it's at a level where it gives each guy the confidence that they can he in the same room with NBA folks.
Also, when an NBA guy tells you what you need to work on, it hits different and that player will focus on becoming a more well rounded player, which benefits UK.
He did have a broken finger most of last year, so he might not be as bad at 3pt shooting as we think.
(I'm not saying he's staying in the draft by any means)
As a Freshman, he was on a better team and shot less, especially from 3. He almost doubled his 3 point attempts as a Sophomore.
He took 151 more shots as a Sophomore than as a Freshman.
He shot 35% from 3, which is better than average for a shooter, as a Freshman.
One thing I noticed was that his overall field goal percentage didn’t really take a hit despite shooting bricks from 3 as a Sophomore. So he shot it a little better from 2 as a Sophomore (+3% on 85 more attempts).
So, couple him having to shoot more with having a broken finger, and that’s the best explanation I can find for why his 3 point numbers took such a hit.
I seriously doubt he will be asked to shoot 14 shots a game on this team.
0 chance he gets drafted, not even listed on the boards here are the comments.
Strengths
- Crafty Finisher: Excels at getting into the lane and finishing with both hands.
- Pick-and-Roll Playmaker: Comfortable operating as a lead guard in P&R situations.
- Active Hands on Defense: Disrupts passing lanes and provides good help defense.
- Composure & Poise: He handles pressure well and plays at his own pace.
Concerns
- Shooting Inconsistency: Needs to improve shot mechanics and overall consistency from deep.
- Lack of Elite Athleticism: He relies more on craft than explosiveness.
- Ball Security: Sometimes, he can be careless, leading to unnecessary turnovers.
- Off-Ball Impact: He needs to find ways to contribute when he’s not the primary ball handler.
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I would say the difference in the players is the difference in the system. To each his own, but I say don’t hate the player hate the game…
And he will be back. He knows what Pope vision is and feels he is the guy for #9. Hope he is right.