A report on the Wolverine.com says that Ohio University Point Guard Jaaron Simmons will visit Michigan next weekend as a possible Graduate Transfer recruit for the 2017-18 Season. He has also declared for the 2017 NBA Draft but will not hire an agent allowing him to maintain his college eligibility if he decides to return to Ohio U or transfer somewhere else like Michigan for his Senior Season. The Detroit Free also reports that Western Michigan Guard Thomas Wilder has also declared for the 2017 NBA Draft but like Simmons, will not hire an agent, giving him the option to return to WMU for his Senior Season.

Would really be devestated if Wilder left. What a shame that would be. I wonder if I could help some NBA team pay his salary?

Wilder is the better pro prospect. Simmons leaving OU would be a blow as their squad next year is looking pretty strong and balanced assuming he comes back.

Will UT ever have another legit NBA prospect? It's been since the early 1970's since any Toledo player had even a minor pro career in the league.

Mix played til '83, and Casey Shaw had an extremely minor career playing in 9 games in 1999.

Numbers make it hard to break into the NBA. Only about 450 players total, with over 100 of them foreign. Average career length is about 5 seasons, so that only makes turnover of about ~70 US players a year, on average. With, what, 300+ D1 BBall programs, and NBA players heavily weighted toward the one and dones schools, 1 player every decade or two would seem to be doing good for a mid-major. But then, UT should be due. Thought Boothe would make it. I suppose he still has a small chance, if he wants to keep trying.

(04-10-2017 06:21 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Mix played til '83, and Casey Shaw had an extremely minor career playing in 9 games in 1999.

Numbers make it hard to break into the NBA. Only about 450 players total, with over 100 of them foreign. Average career length is about 5 seasons, so that only makes turnover of about ~70 US players a year, on average. With, what, 300+ D1 BBall programs, and NBA players heavily weighted toward the one and dones schools, 1 player every decade or two would seem to be doing good for a mid-major. But then, UT should be due. Thought Boothe would make it. I suppose he still has a small chance, if he wants to keep trying.

I don't know if your numbers are correct, but I like your logic.

Not that I'm arguing the numbers either.

Toledo will never win a national championship, but getting to the big dance is at least a good goal (especially in a one team league).

To go with numbers, based on their RPI; they are recruiting the best 600-800 players available.

To compete, like some around the same size, you must have to have a draw (prestige of the school, conference, or whatever), or be crooked.

Forgot to add; which means they are getting the low end of that commodity. Let's call it what it is.

(04-10-2017 06:21 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Mix played til '83, and Casey Shaw had an extremely minor career playing in 9 games in 1999.

Numbers make it hard to break into the NBA. Only about 450 players total, with over 100 of them foreign. Average career length is about 5 seasons, so that only makes turnover of about ~70 US players a year, on average. With, what, 300+ D1 BBall programs, and NBA players heavily weighted toward the one and dones schools, 1 player every decade or two would seem to be doing good for a mid-major. But then, UT should be due. Thought Boothe would make it. I suppose he still has a small chance, if he wants to keep trying.

I was referring to graduation date, Kozelco after Mix. He had 3 years in the NBA. I wouldn't count Shaw's few games. Sad.

(04-10-2017 07:51 PM)DetroitRocket Wrote:  

(04-10-2017 06:21 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  Mix played til '83, and Casey Shaw had an extremely minor career playing in 9 games in 1999.

Numbers make it hard to break into the NBA. Only about 450 players total, with over 100 of them foreign. Average career length is about 5 seasons, so that only makes turnover of about ~70 US players a year, on average. With, what, 300+ D1 BBall programs, and NBA players heavily weighted toward the one and dones schools, 1 player every decade or two would seem to be doing good for a mid-major. But then, UT should be due. Thought Boothe would make it. I suppose he still has a small chance, if he wants to keep trying.

I was referring to graduation date, Kozelco after Mix. He had 3 years in the NBA. I wouldn't count Shaw's few games. Sad.

Dick Miller had a couple ten day contracts w Utah and the Pacers, I believe.

Simmons leaving would change the dynamics of the conference race, at least to the extent that the race is predictable in the preseason. With Simmons, Ohio figures to be one of the teams to beat. Without him, I don't think so, unless they've got someone very good waiting in the wings like they did when Campbell went down. I doubt that Wilder will actually leave since he's not at all a prospect to be drafted. If he and Simmons both left, though, then I think Ball State would have to be the preseason favorite hands down.

Boothe may find his way to the NBA in the next couple years. He's averaging double figures for a solid team in the top league in Italy as a rookie.

The Wolverine.com reports today that Ohio U Point Guard Jaaron Simmons will be transferring to Michigan for his Senior 2017-18 season. He will however keep his name in the NBA Draft for the time being, but most likely will pull out before the NBA raft Deadline which would make him ineligible to play in college next season. This decision will obviously impact both the Wolverines (positively) and the Bobcats (negatively) for the 2017-18 Season.