In addition to Brantley and Wright-Foreman being drafted by the Jazz in the second round this past month, I noticed that Damion Lee, formerly of Drexel, was on Golden State's roster at the end of the NBA season. He's married to Steph Curry's sister, by the way. Lastly, I noticed that Davonte Cacok is on the Lakers' summer league roster and he's played well to date.

As the article pointed out the other day in the DNR, CAA guys getting drafted and noticed has to help the pitch to stay where you're at....

Next year, Grant Riller and Nathan Knight will get an opportunity....

(07-11-2019 10:16 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  In addition to Brantley and Wright-Foreman being drafted by the Jazz in the second round this past month, I noticed that Damion Lee, formerly of Drexel, was on Golden State's roster at the end of the NBA season. He's married to Steph Curry's sister, by the way. Lastly, I noticed that Davonte Cacok is on the Lakers' summer league roster and he's played well to date.

As the article pointed out the other day in the DNR, CAA guys getting drafted and noticed has to help the pitch to stay where you're at....

Next year, Grant Riller and Nathan Knight will get an opportunity....

Unfortunatley, Lee is another example of a CAA (or any mid major guy) transferring to a P5 for a last year of eligibility before trying to go pro. He finished his college career at Louisville. Still good to see that the level of talent is there in the CAA to produce future NBA players.

(07-11-2019 10:16 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Next year, Grant Riller and Nathan Knight will get an opportunity....

If he has another strong season, I can easily see Matt Lewis doing what Knight did a year from now. That is, with 1 year of eligibility left, declaring for the draft but not signing with an agent, which will allow him to come back to JMU if he desires. Just like Knight has done and now back with the Tribe.

I'm not suggesting Matt is going to be draft"able" after next season. We will see if his growth projects to that. Point though is that there really isn't anything to lose. You get in front of NBA folks, receive valuable feedback straight from their mouths regarding things needing to work on, and the networking by getting your name out there to be followed your final season can be beneficial.

Matt is very skilled offensively. Has range. Great free throw shooter. Finishes to the glass effectively. Obviously (at least to me), he needs to work on his ball handling, decision making, and shot selection. Defensively, he is good, but certainly has a lot of work to do for NBA readiness.

Lots of room for continued growth though. I don't think he's anywhere near his ceiling...which, should be good for JMU - at minimum, for 1 more season (hopefully 2).