Malik will never go to college.....

[jdbulldog]

He will play his "freshman" season in Europe for 1-2 million bucks....just my opinion.

 

[msstate7]

We're not getting him so I think this is the best path for him or kansas. Haha

I wish kentucky and lsu would save him a spot till everyone else is signed before this happens though

 

[mstateglfr]

I could see another Chinese team taking a chance and signing him for $700-1.2, but would be shocked if he played in Europe. Euro ball is, as a whole, too advanced and physical for an 18yo. More importantly, coaches aren't there to develop HS kids, at least not at the top level of each country and Euroleague play. Perhaps he would go to Europe and play in a 2nd tier developmental league/in the ULEB Eurocup level games, but that would come with significantly less money.
Hell, even Chinese teams at the top level aren't there to develop 18yo straight outta high school players.

Coaches in international basketball at the top levels are coaching for the immediate. If they don't perform now, they and often times US players on the team and let go. Emmanuel Mudiay in China this past season is a great example- he gets hurt and doesn't play for 2+ months. And the team was going to bring in someone to take his minutes even before his injury, and even though he was playing well all thing considered. Mudiay was making mistakes that come from learning on the job and the team doesn't have time for that.

If he doesn't go to college, he needs to toss his name in the DLeague draft, make $20K plus per diem and housing, and work hard.
He will be playing in front of NBA scouts and coaches against significantly better competition than college, and there will be plenty of tape for teams to know his abilities. Assuming he is legit, on draft day he will be more prepared than others to make an impact in the NBA.

 

[Hammer Down]

Here is a video where Malik mentions us specifically by name, out of all the contenders. And no mention of Europe:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:12431146

 

[hatfieldms]

When does he have to decide by?

....

 

[Miss.Stake]

I strongly feel that it's down between us and LSU and LSU has a great pitch to Malik. They're fairly close proximity (which is important to Malik and the family from what I've heard) and LSU has the #1 player in the country Ben Simmons signed and the number 16 player in the country Antonio Blakeney committed. If Malik goes to LSU, LSU would have 3 of the top 18 players in the country. They could do some serious 1 and done damage.

 

[Seinfeld]

LSU has a great pitch to Malik. They're fairly close proximity (which is important to Malik and the family from what I've heard) and LSU has the #1 player in the country Ben Simmons signed and the number 16 player in the country Antonio Blakeney committed. If Malik goes to LSU, LSU would have 3 of the top 18 players in the country. They could do some serious 1 and done damage.

All that and the fact that LSU actually wins games

 

[Hammer Down]

Yes, but by that logic Kentucky should have the best pitch. But, at the end of the day, Newman would have to be one heck of a loyal idealist to come to MSU. It could work out though.

 

[121Josey]

You don't know what in the hell you're talking about. The Euro leagues have put out some good talent in the past 10 years.

 

[philduckworth]

He will play his "freshman" season in Europe for 1-2 million bucks....just my opinion.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but yours happens to be wrong.

 

[philduckworth]

All that and the fact that LSU actually wins games

LSU is losing Mickey for sure to the NBA. And they might lose Martin too. Hopefully Malik realizes that Johnny Jones can't coach. Malik and Sword would make for a pretty awesome backcourt, good enough to make the NCAAT.

 

[fishwater99]

He will play at least one year in college.

 

[Seinfeld]

I don't have a leg to stand on in terms of critiquing Johnny Jones' coaching ability, but after having now watched Rick Ray for 3 years, I can't imagine Jones being that much farther down the totem pole.

 

[Miss.Stake]

I'm so disappointed with how the season has played out. At the very least, I wanted us to finish strong so we could say "hey look we're improving, we're trending up, you're our missing piece". Now it just looks like he can hop on a very below average train or go somewhere else and win.

 

[512taylor]

I understand we aren't great, but didn't we beat them?

 

[KurtRambis4]

Don't get your

I strongly feel that it's down between us

hopes up.

 

[Miss.Stake]

Ray and our team significantly lowered my hopes after another losing season. I was optimistic in October.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

Yes, but by that logic Kentucky should have the best pitch. But, at the end of the day, Newman would have to be one heck of a loyal idealist to come to MSU. It could work out though.

I think his interest in UK hinges on several factors. One - do the Harrisons go pro, which is a given even though they are projected as 2nd rounders. Next, is Newman determined to play PG? If so, he will go somewhere else. Finally, if he is content to play the 2, it depends on what Booker does.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

The next signing period runs from April 15 to May 20

 

[mstateglfr]

You don't know what in the hell you're talking about. The Euro leagues have put out some good talent in the past 10 years.

Come again? What does your post have to do with what I typed?

I fully agree that the Euro leagues have put out some good talent over the last decade. I would even say they have put out a lot of good talent and some great talent.
I also never said or suggested otherwise.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

We're not getting him so I think this is the best path for him or kansas. HahaI wish kentucky and lsu would save him a spot till everyone else is signed before this happens though

There has been a lot of chatter over the last couple of days that he has scratched UK and LSU is the front runner.