umbrellaman
Masters Student
Posts: 476
Reg: 11-21-04
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04-05-24 07:17 PM - Post#367068
https://x.com/wojespn/status/177638 6647157862465?s...
This is nuts. He’s not physically ready for the NBA. He needs to bulk up not to wear down in division I.
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TigerFan
PhD Student
Posts: 1891
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 07:26 PM - Post#367069
In response to umbrellaman
I agree completely, Umbrellaman. He is a great talent but he faded at the end of the season, which I assume was due to being worn down (and extended illness, which could be related to the first issue).
I really, really hope that he stays at Princeton two more years, bulks up, helps take the Tigers to another level and then tries for the NBA. I assume there is a strategy here. Does this help him gain exposure to pull off an endorsement deal?
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TigerFan
PhD Student
Posts: 1891
Reg: 11-21-04
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04-05-24 07:36 PM - Post#367070
In response to TigerFan
According to Kyle Franko, Xaivian has until June 16 to decide whether to return to school or stay in the draft.
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gokinsmen
Postdoc
Posts: 3671
Reg: 02-06-10
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Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 07:51 PM - Post#367071
In response to TigerFan
I assume there is a strategy here. Does this help him gain exposure to pull off an endorsement deal?
That's part of it. An announcement from Woj himself tells me this is a (great) PR move. I also noticed he signed with Tosan's agent, George Langberg. But it's mostly about meeting with NBA teams and getting feedback.
On paper, this is the right move for Xaivian - get NBA feedback on what he needs to work on for this season (defense? midrange? physique?), then ride a great March 2025 to a 1st round pick in June 2025.
I'm 99% sure he'll return for his junior year, but to me, this confirms he's probably gone after that, which I speculated earlier in the year, but still... wow.
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gokinsmen
Postdoc
Posts: 3671
Reg: 02-06-10
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Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 07:52 PM - Post#367072
In response to gokinsmen
To help settle anyone's stomach...
https://twitter.com/NJHoopsHaven/status/1 776388384...
Jerry Carino @NJHoopsHaven
This was expected. High likelihood Lee will be back at Old Nassau next season.
While I won't be 100% at ease until he's officially back, I think it's amazing that an Ivy soph is getting this kind of attention. It's the kind of thing that appeals to recruits who think they can't go to NBA from the Ivy.
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umbrellaman
Masters Student
Posts: 476
Reg: 11-21-04
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Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 09:20 PM - Post#367073
In response to gokinsmen
Armond Hill came back to get his degree after his NBA career - although he also made it to his senior season.
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gokinsmen
Postdoc
Posts: 3671
Reg: 02-06-10
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Re: Lee declares for draft
04-05-24 10:45 PM - Post#367076
In response to umbrellaman
Breathing yet another sigh of relief:
https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2024/04/...
“I think it was the smart thing to do,” Lee told The Daily Princetonian in an interview. “Not necessarily leaving for the NBA, but testing the waters and seeing where I’m at against that level of competition … That is ultimately how I can get better and set myself up for the future.”
“That was the important part of it [maintaining my eligibility],” Lee added. “I’m entering this process … open-minded and I have intentions of coming back to school for sure."
Again, it seems he's doing the common move of declaring for the draft for the exposure and feedback. I think Lee can be a 1st round pick if he has a "March Moment" next season and this is a great opportunity to see what NBA teams think he needs to work on most.
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SRP
Postdoc
Posts: 4914
Reg: 02-04-06
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04-06-24 04:35 PM - Post#367084
In response to gokinsmen
Yep. Not like entering the transfer portal.
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Penndemonium
PhD Student
Posts: 1900
Reg: 11-29-04
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04-17-24 02:13 AM - Post#367499
In response to SRP
I *think* that you can only enter and withdraw once from the NBA draft, so he won't be able to do this move again between his junior and senior season.
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gokinsmen
Postdoc
Posts: 3671
Reg: 02-06-10
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Lee declares for draft
04-17-24 04:38 PM - Post#367548
In response to Penndemonium
According to Wikipedia, you can withdraw twice.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligibility_for_ the_...
That said, I expect Lee to stay in the draft after next season. It's clear that NBA teams have serious interest - he's not just a fringe prospect.
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PennFan10
Postdoc
Posts: 3586
Reg: 02-15-15
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Re: Lee declares for draft
04-19-24 10:11 AM - Post#367605
In response to gokinsmen
How is it "clear"? Is there anything in the public record from NBA evaluators that says he is a clear prospect? Isn't that why he declared? To find out their opinions? I have no opinion here, just wondering if I am missing some press about this.
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HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts: 2692
Loc: New Jersey
Reg: 01-21-14
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04-19-24 10:36 AM - Post#367608
In response to PennFan10
I recall reports of NBA scouts at Princeton Men's games this season. Who else could they have been scouting?
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gokinsmen
Postdoc
Posts: 3671
Reg: 02-06-10
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Lee declares for draft
04-19-24 02:15 PM - Post#367610
In response to HARVARDDADGRAD
Yep, after his dazzling non-conf, many NBA scouts started attending Lee's Ivy games. First one on record was his 33p/8r/7a game against Harvard (probably scouted Mack too). More followed. Lots of reports like this:
https://twitter.com/Richard37215662/statu s/1744382...
9 NBA scouts in to see him Saturday. 20 expected at Columbia.
https://twitter.com/_borisberic/status/17 564375172...
https://twitter.com/Richard37215662/statu s/1761396...
https://twitter.com/kj_franko/status/1776 388671865...
Also, an Ivy League sophomore doesn't sign with an agent and declare for the draft unless he's already heard from NBA teams.
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