Thought we could keep a thread for all the Big East players who are planning on declaring early for the NBA. They have until May 8th to withdraw and return to school.

1. Ashton Gibbs declaring but not hiring an agent.
http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburg...tt-declare

2. Augustus Gilchrist declaring but not hiring an agent.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=19272 (scroll to bottom)

Walker is obviously going to declare from UConn. But other than that the Big East is filled with second round prospects at best. Guys like Gates, Joseph, Johnson-Odom could all declare for the draft but they should be back.

Kevin Jones is going to see where he'll fall in the NBA draft. But his mother sounded like she put a high priority on education, so I think he'll be back for his senior year - unless he's a guaranteed lottery pick, which I seriously doubt...

No one is leaving Cuse early...Not even Fab Melo ;-)

gus gilchrist pf from usf is declaring but not hiring an agent, i wouldn't be surprised if he tries to parlay these nba workouts for a contract overseas

A player can put his name out once, to feel out the NBA's interest. But if he doesn't hire an agent, he can pull out. The 2nd time a player does that is for keeps, agent or not...

(03-29-2011 04:11 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  A player can put his name out once, to feel out the NBA's interest. But if he doesn't hire an agent, he can pull out. The 2nd time a player does that is for keeps, agent or not...

Updated with Gilchrist.

And with the date moved way up the past two years, guys who enter without an agent will not be able to get the same sort of advice that they would have in years past..because the actual scouting camps are later than the May 8th withdrawal date.

Why would anyone want to leave early when there isn't going to be an NBA season next year?

I expect Gibbs to be at Pitt next winter. He's just testing the water to see where he could get drafted.

KJ is doing the same thing, ani. I figure he'll be back again next year to improve his stock, and get his degree...

For players who are not graduating and who are not going to be lottery picks it is probably wise to go back to school for another year as there is a good chance there will be an NBA lockout next year. The NBA wants to lower the player's percentage of revenue plus put in some sort of franchise tag on a player or two so you do not have a repeat of the Miami Heat and NY Knicks getting all the free agents. The NBA players of course want none of this and want to extend the existing contract.