The issue with thinking there won’t be regret because of money is that’s not how a lot of athletes are wired, and he would have had money even if he came back. Not to mention, if he doesn’t pan out, returning to college might have been what he needed to stick in the league. I think it’s being wildly overlooked that Reed doesn’t have confidence even as a 50% 3 point shooter. Now he’s going to a league with limited confidence, as a kid, where he’s going to be plugged into guarding 6’6 and 6’7 athletic freaks. I’m a big fan of Reed but even I have to admit he has trouble guarding 2 star college kids that are his own height. I’m having a lot of trouble seeing it translate.
My opinion was simply take the money to return to college and get your confidence up at least, then jump when you’re a little bit older and have your feet under you. In pro sports when you lose your confidence early? It’s ended many careers.
It would have been a better bet to gamble after year 2 than heading straight to the league. And a year with Pope could have paid dividends.
I don’t know, seems to me this is definitely a huge gamble in terms of his career. If he gets carved up by NBA guys as a top pick he’s going to get hammered everyday within his organization and the media and I don’t see him ever gaining his confidence. He would more than likely look back and think another year in college was needed. I’d hate that for him, and I also think Jeff is 100% aware of it too. They’re good people but this was a move based off of finances because it’s not the better move for his career by all appearances.
