Zagoria: NBA Exec Says Skal's People Want Him to Jump to NBA

[Smashcat]

https://www.sny.tv/college-recruiti...d-absolutely-come-backbut-should-he/162681754.

Frankly I think this is one of the cases where Cal can say, please, come back, but be secretly happy Skal can learn in the D-League.

Here's what one NBA executive said.

"Dickie V. is right," the executive said. "[Labissiere] will not help any NBA team next year no matter where he gets drafted. I believe Skal's people have already decided for him that he is coming out no matter what type of year he has."

In that case, Labissiere could find himself on an NBA D-League roster at this stage next season

 

[Hoskins21]

Well yeah I'm sure "his people" want him making money somewhere.

 

[sambowieshin]

If "His people" want that badly enough to go against what is in his best interest then I feel sorry for the kid. He is a 7 foot tall child who needs guidance from responsible adults.

 

[jrpross]

Wonder if these are the same "these people" who were trying to get money from Skal before going to college. If so "these people" are selfish idiots.

 

[cal=8]

His guardian must be telling him.. "Just get through this season without injury, what ever you do don't play hard you might get hurt" That's what it looks like when you watch him play..

 

[KentuckyRLD]

Skal is a marvelously gifted athlete and he will, in time, be a great basketball player. He has not played a lot in his short lifetime and he needs training and practice. However, he can get that training and practice in a variety of ways. If he can make millions next year by playing in the D-League or elsewhere why would he not go? I would love to see him back at UK for another season but I doubt seriously that there is any possibility of that happening.

 

[katwest]

Too bad few college kids don't want to enjoy the college experience anymore, two years in college passes fast, once you hit the NBA or D league time flies, now it's a business and there is no going back. One big contract is not going to last long if you are like most people growing up. Alex is going to have his degree and make more money than most of us even if he don't make the NBA, chasing dreams also has it's down side, there are plenty of players that can attest to that, everybody can't play in the league. I wish the best for Skal, his people are the ones I wonder about?

 

[docholiday51]

If "His people" want that badly enough to go against what is in his best interest then I feel sorry for the kid. He is a 7 foot tall child who needs guidance from responsible adults.

This is the whole point in a nutshell,Skal need s Cal and UK more than either need him.He would best be served by returning probably more than any other player in the Cal era. It is not a surprise that his people want him to go ASAP(if there had been a way for him to go to the NBA directly then he would have never been here.) A real chance that his 'people' are throwing away the kid's future for a quick payday.

 

[Noxium]

They will bleed this kid dry. What a shame.

 

[Sithlyone]

His guardian must be telling him.. "Just get through this season without injury, what ever you do don't play hard you might get hurt" That's what it looks like when you watch him play..

While it may be true that they told him those things, I find it difficult tot believe that he would follow through and here is why. When you are engulfed in a team atmosphere it is so easy to get wrapped up in the team spirit no matter what outside voices are screaming at you. Also when you have a magnetic personality such as Cal does, a young impressionable mind such as Skal will find it difficult in the face of that day to day contact to not buy in to the team concept.

Could Skal go against all of that? Sure but I don't think that's the case with him. I just think he was not prepared for the riggers of NCAA compitition and it is taking time for him to adjust. He needs to be a 2-3 year player just to get to the point of where he should have been prior to him coming to college (comparing him to other OAD's that is).

 

[3rex]

I certainly understand him chasing his dream. More power to him.

But when a players "people" start talking too much...then I don't really care what the player does one way or the other.

 

[cal=8]

While it may be true that they told him those things, I find it difficult tot believe that he would follow through and here is why. When you are engulfed in a team atmosphere it is so easy to get wrapped up in the team spirit no matter what outside voices are screaming at you. Also when you have a magnetic personality such as Cal does, a young impressionable mind such as Skal will find it difficult in the face of that day to day contact to not buy in to the team concept.

Could Skal go against all of that? Sure but I don't think that's the case with him. I just think he was not prepared for the riggers of NCAA compitition and it is taking time for him to adjust. He needs to be a 2-3 year player just to get to the point of where he should have been prior to him coming to college (comparing him to other OAD's that is).

He gone at seasons end.. Mark it down..

 

[Sithlyone]

He gone at seasons end.. Mark it down..

I've believed that from the beginning. However him leaving is not the same as him being ready to leave and that is what the NBA exec is saying imo.

 

[FishersBlue]

Skal leaving may be in his best interest and, strangely enough, in UKs best interest. Generally you want talented guys to return and develop. But for Skal he could get buried on the bench next year at UK, and look even more meek and frail in comparison to Bam and others whose motors will overshadow Skal.

And not sure you want his guardian, his "people", around any longer than necessary.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

it's not like he was going to stick around for his degree

maybe pro spacing will help him somewhat

i'd think about taking him as early as the late lottery, personally. he's 6'11 and he has a little bit of skill, and he's going to get stronger

 

[cats2010]

They will bleed this kid dry. What a shame.

If he goes next year then there won't be too much to bleed. This kid is not getting a contract in the league next year, he will be making $25,000-$30,000/year in the dleague for at least a year, maybe 2.

 

[UK90]

Skal leaving may be in his best interest and, strangely enough, in UKs best interest. Generally you want talented guys to return and develop. But for Skal he could get buried on the bench next year at UK, and look even more meek and frail in comparison to Bam and others whose motors will overshadow Skal.

And not sure you want his guardian, his "people", around any longer than necessary.

This. If the kid can't even beat out Willis, Lee or Poy for playing time then I don't know how much hope he'd have next year when studs like Bam Adebayo and Wen Gabriel have been added to the front line stable.

As is obvious to everyone, the kid is nowhere remotely close to being ready to compete against pros, hell he doesn't even seem to be able to handle the speed and physicality of high college ball. BUT it's still probably a smart move financially for him to leave now. His stock could VERY easily end up crashing even further next year.

I just hope the parasitic "handlers" surrounding the kid don't bleed him dry. That guardian of his has been trying to shop him for a buck since the day he first met the kid, just wait til the paychecks start coming in.

 

[uk78]

An NBA team drafting Skal reflects everything that is wrong with the system and the NBA. Almost every team we have played has had an interior player perform much better than Skal. A lot with no names we really know. Maybe he has these great skills, but how about showing them on the court? This kid is no way physically ready for the pros let alone college. I hope he improves this season and sure he has shown the occasional sign of doing better. He may end up with money, but come on, he would have zero ability to defend any NBA pro at present. So, he sits in the D League and either develops or becomes one of those stories of the shudda coulda wouda, that ends up broke and used up. Ask Daniel Orton, and now what does he do?

If anyone needs to return it would be Skal. However, the problem for him is he might be challenged for playing time at Kentucky if he hopes to jump next year as well. Bam appears way more ready for the college game, if we get Bolden, Skal may find himself behind him too. Lee is no sure thing to jump either now. Skal should be a good college player before ever considered or considering the pros. But, as I said all of this (and I think he will jump) demonstrates everything that is wrong with the current system.

 

[Dirk2Bowie]

I believe Skal should go too. If he is projected as a first round pick then it is imperative that he go and get the guarantee. Coming back and setting behind other players or an injury is not going to help him make his fortune. Being stashed in the D league and learning from/with professionals that have unlimited access is obviously the way to go. Vitale is a fan of college ball and only college ball. He sees no other side to the story and he's not alone.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

An NBA team drafting Skal reflects everything that is wrong with the system and the NBA.

there isn't really anything wrong with the nba

international players turn pro in their teens

it's not the job of nba teams to honor kids for their college accomplishments with their draft picks

 

[Primedfor9]

If anyone could change his mind though it's cal. If he can convince Bam to leave North Carolina he might be able convince skal and his selfish people he needs another year. I think he'd be a super soph.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

I believe Skal should go too. If he is projected as a first round pick then it is imperative that he go and get the guarantee. Coming back and setting behind other players or an injury is not going to help him make his fortune. Being stashed in the D league and learning from/with professionals that have unlimited access is obviously the way to go. Vitale is a fan of college ball and only college ball. He sees no other side to the story and he's not alone.

It's this and twice on Sunday...DV has greatly enriched himself from the free labor of college basketball players.

Skal staying another year will only further expose any issues he has. But he's a 6'11 kid with a jump shot. A kid that can easily blossom into a very good NBA player.

Whatever the kid decides, I'll be rooting for him as I do with all UK players...not sure why that is so hard for a portion of our "fans".

 

[SaguaroCat]

Anonymous nba exec, gives opinion, without evidence, about people around Skal.

Fascinating.

 

[WitnessGreatness]

The D League is better for Skal to improve though...

 

[JerseyCat84]

Lol at posters thinking they know what's best for Skal.

 

[Kybluedude]

He is such a nice thoughtful young man. Hope he thinks it through. Those nba bodies are strong. If he has trouble in college think what a guy like Boogie would do. However maybe just playing ball everyday would help him develop.

 

[docholiday51]

The D League is better for Skal to improve though...

Improve,maybe,maybe not, if he is a role player on a national championship level team the the exposure probably makes him more money than the D league.

 

[1war]

If he goes next year then there won't be too much to bleed. This kid is not getting a contract in the league next year, he will be making $25,000-$30,000/year in the dleague for at least a year, maybe 2.

First round picks contracts are slotted and garunteed he'd be making millions even if the team sends him to the d-league. IF , a team is going to draft him in the top ten he almost has to go, if he comes back and doesn't drastically improve his stock will plummet, he may drastically improve but why take that chance? Right now the fact that he didn't play highschool ball is working " big time" in his favor as far as draft stock the longer he plays and doesn't improve at a fast enough rate that excuse fades.
Also keep in mind that he will be 20 on March 18.

 

[cats2010]

First round picks contracts are slotted and garunteed he'd be making millions even if the team sends him to the d-league. IF , a team is going to draft him in the top ten he almost has to go, if he comes back and doesn't drastically improve his stock will plummet, he may drastically improve but why take that chance? Right now the fact that he didn't play highschool ball is working " big time" in his favor as far as draft stock the longer he plays and doesn't improve at a fast enough rate that excuse fades.

Yes I know first round contracts are guaranteed, but I don't see skal getting drafted in the first round. He has displayed very little potential at this point to even be drafted on potential. If he gets drafted first round next year I will apply the following year in which I'll be 49 years old. I can still shoot the three from deep with great range so why not.

 

[dckala2]

They'll take he 25,000 he'll make in the d league and piss it away in a week.

 

[CELTICAT]

Not surprised

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

If he has a chance to go in the first round, let's face it, the kid should turn pro and take the money while it's there. If he comes back for another year, the kid is just risking his stock dropping even further and may never be considered a first round talent again in his life, even if he does improve some. Our frontcourt is going to be stacked for next year either way so i am not going to sweat it whatever he finally decides to do. I just think it would be silly to risk another year of college basketball if the money is there. If the first round is out of the question, my opinion changes 100%.

 

[BoulderCat]

His "people" are his problem. He should focus on getting a good education which he can at UK. He's going to need it.

 

[W_Heisenberg]

If he goes next year then there won't be too much to bleed. This kid is not getting a contract in the league next year, he will be making $25,000-$30,000/year in the dleague for at least a year, maybe 2.

Wrong, he will go first round and get guarantee contract. He's not falling out of lottery, let alone first round.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

Of course they do. A lot of these kid's people and family are ignorant assholes. Greedy, wanting their boy to take care of the family. Buy mama a house, support sister and her kids, take care of brother's heroin addiction, etc. I'm not saying that's the case with Skal but it is with several kids. The families and handlers, and etc need to stay out of things like this. It would clearly benefit Skal to come back next year. It may even be the difference in him making it in the NBA of flaming out after 3 years. His handler is a retarded fool.

 

[_NewWorldOrder_]

This is probably a good short summery of Skal's handler. "Yeah I'm about to make some big bucks off this black kid. I've been waiting for this for a few years. Never could could too much in pay off's, but I'm about to cash in good. I don't care if he's ready for the NBA or not. As long as he last a few years and can be my meal ticket. Then I'll have all the money I need for gambling, hookers, and dope" Just like the "You know who's" do to rappers.

 

[whhs22]

Its sad that as soon as this young man gets comfortable he will be stuck back in an environment he is not ready for. He emotionally is still a child..why stick him in with grown men who he will not relate with? I know the answer , money.

Skal needs to be under Cals umbrella,and around people he trusts and knows. I said it before he got here that i hoped cal told this handler to go away and let skal develope. This is the one time i would like to see cal speak the truth and get in between this handler and skal.

This handler is paranoid and possessive. He kept other coaches and people who could of helped skal away. This story could get ugly.

 

[wildcatsboston1984]

If "His people" want that badly enough to go against what is in his best interest then I feel sorry for the kid. He is a 7 foot tall child who needs guidance from responsible adults.

Players develop more quickly in the pros than they do in college due to lack of restrictions on practice and individual work with coaches. Go to the league and he can get paid a rightful some to do it instead of staying in college to be a glorified indentured servant.

 

[Stonewall12]

Shocker



I think this is up to Skal it is time to man up and speak your mind and think for yourself. Tell the handlers to GTFO. I know this is wishful thinking.

 

[wildcatsboston1984]

If he goes next year then there won't be too much to bleed. This kid is not getting a contract in the league next year, he will be making $25,000-$30,000/year in the dleague for at least a year, maybe 2.

100% false, you should learn a few things before posting. First round draft pick = guaranteed NBA contract. He'll be making bank playing in the D League.