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What players have ruined their careers by trying to jump to the NBA too early?

Wall2Boogie

Wall2Boogie

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Jan 28, 2010
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im not trying to be smooth as butter today but this happens every year, there are always some guys who are really good players that if they would of stayed another yr or two things might of turned out differently for them. I'm just going to name a few off the top of my head and let the list go from there.

Kobi Simmons wtf is he thinking he is projected to be a late second round pick at best and he was less than average at Arizona

Briscoe- you know why

Teague-top 3 pg should of stuck around, where are they now?
Orton
Lamb
Skal- that's a given
Harrison twins

Josh selby- number 1 player and was out and just terrible
Xavier Henry- a stud that could shoot he may still be in the NBA and play a little but I think one more yr at Kansas could of really helped him out.

There are plenty of guys who fit the mold of what could of been, my mind is going in a million directions but I'm sure over the years, you have seen this happen to guys who were very good or even great college players that chased the money and killed their development. Who would you add from uk or any other school.
 
None of them. Either you can play or you can't.

The guys who "leave too early" and end up not making it probably wouldn't have been drafted at all if they stayed four years.

Not to mention some of your examples are either terrible, too early to tell, or haven't even happened yet.
 
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How many of these guys are any better if they waited?

Teague? Higher pick, not sure he in the NBA regardless .

Orton blew out his knee early on, and had a history of me injuries. He's blessed thatheI get paid while he could.

Twins: they spent two years here, and I think it maximized their college potential. If you stay three or four years a lot of signs off the diamond to the NBA. Andrew has actually had a respectable career so far.

Lamb stayed a second year, so I don't know what you would ask. His primary skill is shooting, but he can't guard anyone. I would offer that shooting it used to be a good niche in the league, but now everybody can shoot, you have to be able to shoot and an absolute elite level Ala Kyle Korver to stick as a shooter.

Skalt is really blossoming in the NBA, so I'm not sure how he's hurt himself.
 
Briscoe and Teague are similar. If both found a shot, they'd have helped themselves. But neither is very quick. I'm not sure either has the athleticism to have stayed in the NBA regardless of how much college time they got.

Dakari--same thing. I think his lack of athleticism hurts him.

Archie Goodwin is a person who sticks out--he was wild and out of control often here, and didn't have the supporting cast to excel at UK. I think he goes higher if he comes back, maybe finds a more optimal situation.
 
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Teague a top 3 pick? What crack are you smoking??

News flash - Skal is actually playing really well, I think waaayyy to early to judge that.

Harrison twins?? were they going from late 2nd round picks to mid 2nd round picks?
 
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Wall2Boogie said:
im not trying to be smooth as butter today but this happens every year, there are always some guys who are really good players that if they would of stayed another yr or two things might of turned out differently for them. I'm just going to name a few off the top of my head and let the list go from there.

Kobi Simmons wtf is he thinking he is projected to be a late second round pick at best and he was less than average at Arizona

Briscoe- you know why

Teague-top 3 pg should of stuck around, where are they now?
Orton
Lamb
Skal- that's a given
Harrison twins

Josh selby- number 1 player and was out and just terrible
Xavier Henry- a stud that could shoot he may still be in the NBA and play a little but I think one more yr at Kansas could of really helped him out.

There are plenty of guys who fit the mold of what could of been, my mind is going in a million directions but I'm sure over the years, you have seen this happen to guys who were very good or even great college players that chased the money and killed their development. Who would you add from uk or any other school.
Click to expand...
How is Skal on this list? He had a decent rookie year with some big big games. He was better in NBA than Kentucky
 
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They ruined Kentucky's chances to win National Championships more than ruined their careers since their careers were most likely not going to be any better either way. They might have been higher draft picks but you are what you are.

I really don't understand why players being taken in the late 1st or 2nd round want to leave early but maybe they just hate being in class or college and want out as soon as possible is about all I can come up with.

It's a real shame guys like the Harrison twins and Ulis leave early among many others but I want to win championships so I am biased.
 
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Wall2Boogie said:
im not trying to be smooth as butter today but this happens every year, there are always some guys who are really good players that if they would of stayed another yr or two things might of turned out differently for them. I'm just going to name a few off the top of my head and let the list go from there.

Kobi Simmons wtf is he thinking he is projected to be a late second round pick at best and he was less than average at Arizona

Briscoe- you know why

Teague-top 3 pg should of stuck around, where are they now?
Orton
Lamb
Skal- that's a given
Harrison twins

Josh selby- number 1 player and was out and just terrible
Xavier Henry- a stud that could shoot he may still be in the NBA and play a little but I think one more yr at Kansas could of really helped him out.

There are plenty of guys who fit the mold of what could of been, my mind is going in a million directions but I'm sure over the years, you have seen this happen to guys who were very good or even great college players that chased the money and killed their development. Who would you add from uk or any other school.
Click to expand...
Marquis Teague is the most glaring example.

To say that none have is just dumb... a 19 y/o unprepared to play with grown men, ride the bus in the D-League, and handle the type of adversity he'd never experience in college will fail at a higher rate than a 22 y/o who is more mature physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
 
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Cats192 said:
How many of these guys are any better if they waited?

Teague? Higher pick, not sure he in the NBA regardless .

Orton blew out his knee early on, and had a history of me injuries. He's blessed thatheI get paid while he could.

Twins: they spent two years here, and I think it maximized their college potential. If you stay three or four years a lot of signs off the diamond to the NBA. Andrew has actually had a respectable career so far.

Lamb stayed a second year, so I don't know what you would ask. His primary skill is shooting, but he can't guard anyone. I would offer that shooting it used to be a good niche in the league, but now everybody can shoot, you have to be able to shoot and an absolute elite level Ala Kyle Korver to stick as a shooter.

Skalt is really blossoming in the NBA, so I'm not sure how he's hurt himself.
Click to expand...
Go back and watch tape of Lamb. His defense looked like Gary Payton compared to Monk.
 
One could go back a long way on this one. Guys like Sean Higgins, Dwayne Scales, etc. should've stayed but left and didn't stay long in the NBA and ended up averaging about 4-6ppg. I think that LSU had a couple of guys that left early and should've stayed back in the '80's.
 
Just because you cant prove leaving early can hurt, you cant prove it doesnt. Plenty of guys with experience in these matters cite "being ready" as a major factor. A lot of it can be mental.

Some guys arent ready. And some guys have no clue how to handle the money at 19, while being surrounded by yes men who want their cash. Some guys have little problem there. It just depends.

The "take the money and run" crowd excuse everything and live in a bubble. They wont allow any way but that. Not worth arguing the question imo.
 
Wall Knight Teague said:
Marquis Teague is the most glaring example.

To say that none have is just dumb... a 19 y/o unprepared to play with grown men, ride the bus in the D-League, and handle the type of adversity he'd never experience in college will fail at a higher rate than a 22 y/o who is more mature physically, emotionally, and psychologically.
Click to expand...

Exactly. To disregard the dangers of leaving before youre ready (mentally as much as physically is par for the course with a certain bunch.
 
GonzoCat90 said:
None of them. Either you can play or you can't.

The guys who "leave too early" and end up not making it probably wouldn't have been drafted at all if they stayed four years.

Not to mention some of your examples are either terrible, too early to tell, or haven't even happened yet.
Click to expand...



Not necessarily at all. There are a lot of factors that go into a player making a career in the NBA. Maturity being one of those factors. Also, draft position and draft team have a lot to do with how long a team in invested in you as a player. There are a lot of variable that go into this and a better equipped, mature player has a much better chance at making a career in the NBA.
 
GonzoCat90 said:
None of them. Either you can play or you can't.

The guys who "leave too early" and end up not making it probably wouldn't have been drafted at all if they stayed four years.

Not to mention some of your examples are either terrible, too early to tell, or haven't even happened yet.
Click to expand...

This, end this thread forever. Two more years wasn't gonna make Aaron Harrison into Jordan.
 
HenryMuto said:
They ruined Kentucky's chances to win National Championships more than ruined their careers since their careers were most likely not going to be any better either way. They might have been higher draft picks but you are what you are.

I really don't understand why players being taken in the late 1st or 2nd round want to leave early but maybe they just hate being in class or college and want out as soon as possible is about all I can come up with.

It's a real shame guys like the Harrison twins and Ulis leave early among many others but I want to win championships so I am biased.
Click to expand...

The Twins and Ulis both stayed more than one year...and didn't win a title. Most people were happy to get rid of the Harrisons to have Ulis and Murray run the show...and it was pretty to watch but a 2nd round exit. There's no guarantee that if they both stayed 4 years they would have led UK to a title. After 2015 I'm not assuming anything.
 
It's more about the maturity or lack thereof than if a guy should have stayed an extra year. For example, if Robert Swift plays at U.S.C. for a few years and gains maturity does he turn into a good bakestball player and not a drug user. Same can be said for Lenny Cooke. In cases like Joe Forte and Eddie Griffin maturity led to there issues more than anything else.
 
Wall2Boogie said:
im not trying to be smooth as butter today but this happens every year, there are always some guys who are really good players that if they would of stayed another yr or two things might of turned out differently for them. I'm just going to name a few off the top of my head and let the list go from there.

Kobi Simmons wtf is he thinking he is projected to be a late second round pick at best and he was less than average at Arizona

Briscoe- you know why

Teague-top 3 pg should of stuck around, where are they now?
Orton
Lamb
Skal- that's a given
Harrison twins

Josh selby- number 1 player and was out and just terrible
Xavier Henry- a stud that could shoot he may still be in the NBA and play a little but I think one more yr at Kansas could of really helped him out.

There are plenty of guys who fit the mold of what could of been, my mind is going in a million directions but I'm sure over the years, you have seen this happen to guys who were very good or even great college players that chased the money and killed their development. Who would you add from uk or any other school.
Click to expand...
I believe Tubby recruited him. The kids last name Korlene something...please someone help...
 
Bryo72 said:
I believe Tubby recruited him. The kids last name Korlene something...please someone help...
Click to expand...

Korleone Young. If you look at pics of him, he was obviously very physically mature for his age. Had to have been an unstoppable force in HS. He played before I really watched the NBA, but if I remember the story correctly i think he only played a few games in the league. Im guessing he was a manchild amongst boys in HS but probably not very skilled at all. Then you get to the league and there is this Shaq dude is 7'2 320. And a guy buy the name of Kevin Garnett who is bigger than you and infinitely more skilled. With dudes like that in the league, im sure he was exposed so quickly
 
Last edited:
I don't think he was even drafted. He must have been picked up as a free agent.
 
HenryMuto said:
They ruined Kentucky's chances to win National Championships more than ruined their careers since their careers were most likely not going to be any better either way. They might have been higher draft picks but you are what you are.

I really don't understand why players being taken in the late 1st or 2nd round want to leave early but maybe they just hate being in class or college and want out as soon as possible is about all I can come up with.

It's a real shame guys like the Harrison twins and Ulis leave early among many others but I want to win championships so I am biased.
Click to expand...

Well, if they aren't going to improve their stock, why not go ahead and declare and get a jump on some pretty big chunks of money? The kids you mentioned played their hearts out here and gave everything they had in hopes of winning a title. I don't think it is about hating class, it is about two things: money and achieving their dream, playing in the NBA.
 
I stopped reading at Skal, should've sooner. I think your judgement of him is clouded by his being somewhat of a disappointment at UK. He went first round and finished his rookie year strong. Not sure what you're trying to prove by using him as an example.
 
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I agree with everyone saying "you got it or you don't".
All the non-NBA talent leaving to "pursue their dream", [laughing][laughing][laughing] .
Just admit you would rather get a job playing basketball for money as opposed to going to school and playing for free.
 
GonzoCat90 said:
None of them. Either you can play or you can't.

The guys who "leave too early" and end up not making it probably wouldn't have been drafted at all if they stayed four years.

Not to mention some of your examples are either terrible, too early to tell, or haven't even happened yet.
Click to expand...

Depends on whether they have what it takes to make a living playing professionally outside the NBA. Most of the kids who jump lose their only chance to get a college education when they leave early and lose the free ride to a degree. So, if a career is blue collar work, then you're probably right.
 
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