Nerlens Noel Declared for the NBA Draft

[Captain Crunch]

He should of been in the draft last year.
This one-and-done rule is retarded.
I wanna see Wiggins on the Raptors next year

 

[Lakers Offseason]

Y! SPORTS



LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky forward Nerlens Noel will enter the NBA draft as he continues recovering from a torn ACL.

The 6-foot-10 freshman is projected to be a lottery pick despite sustaining his season-ending knee injury on Feb. 12. He led the nation with 4.4 blocks per game, and averaged 10.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.

Noel also had 50 steals for Kentucky (21-12), earning Southeastern Conference defensive player of the year honors, along with first team all-conference and freshman team selections.

Noel said in statement released by the university that he's loved his time with the Wildcats but feels he's ''ready to take the next step on this paper chase.''

Considered the nation's top recruit last year, Noel was often compared to Kentucky All-American Anthony Davis, now in the NBA after leading the Wildcats to a national championship as a freshman.

''I've learned so much here at UK and am thankful for Coach (John) Calipari, the staff and my teammates for all of their support,'' Noel said. ''I especially appreciate the Big Blue Nation and the wonderful women, all of the support, prayers and well-wishes I've received from them during my rehab and decision-making process. I'll always be a Wildcat! But now I'll be a rich Wildcat!''

Noel joins Wildcats guard Archie Goodwin in the NBA draft. The two were part of another much-heralded recruiting class that included forward Alex Poythress and 7-foot center Willie Cauley-Stein, but Noel was the only player who looked to have a basic grasp of basketball.

On a Kentucky squad that lacked intensity during parts of a disappointing season by Wildcats' standards, Noel was often their most active player on the floor. Calipari praised that effort during the season and even after the center made the widely-expected decision to leave for the pros.

''I support Nerlens' decision to enter his name in the draft and am excited for him and his future,'' Calipari said in a statement. ''The hard work and will to win he showed on the floor this year and the dedication and attitude he has shown in his rehab will only be a reward for him and whatever team drafts him in June. We will simply use this open spot to welcome the next nba nikka.''

Despite Noel's athleticism and energy that teammates fed off of after a block or timely steal, Kentucky struggled even when he was healthy. Kentucky's chances of earning an at-large NCAA tournament bid were iffy even with Noel, and its prospects disintegrated after the devastating knee injury at Florida.

The Wildcats went 4-5 without Noel, even though Cauley-Stein showed signs of improvement in Noel's place, and quality late-season wins over Florida and Missouri. They not only missed the NCAA tournament but lost a first-round NIT game at Robert Morris, completing an utterly embarrassing campaign rivaled in 2013 only by the Lakers.

Poythress and Cauley-Stein, considered potential first-round draft picks as well, have decided to return for their sophomore seasons. They will be expected next year to lead what's been called the school's best recruiting class ever, featuring twins Andrew and Aaron Harrison, who were seen at the McDonald's All American game sporting slave haircuts.

 

[SuburbanPimp]

I seen him play twice eariler this season and I just didn't see anything special from dude.

But if you are predicted to go in the top 3 after averaging 10 points a game and coming off of major knee surgery I can't say that I really blame HIM....

Now the team that takes him that early

Don't do it Cleveland

 

[Walt]

I seen him play twice eariler this season and I just didn't see anything special from dude.

But if you are predicted to go in the top 3 after averaging 10 points a game and coming off of major knee surgery I can't say that I really blame HIM....

Now the team that takes him that early

Don't do it Cleveland

a near double-double with 4.4 blocks as a freshman ain't exactly chump change.

 

[HHR]

motha fukka said slave haircuts

I quit.

 

[darius19]

Y! SPORTS





I'll always be a Wildcat! But now I'll be a rich Wildcat!''

 

[Rodgers]

Noel joins Wildcats guard Archie Goodwin in the NBA draft.


Thats the funniest part to me.

Archie declared for the draft?!

Cal told him to come back cause his stock was inflated due to his uk association and the fact that the tourney always shakes up the order,see McGary. He couldn't trust that 12-22 slot he was being projected in for most of the year.

Goodwin knew he would only be playin 20/25 minutes a game next year. And depending on how good Aaron Harrison and James Young are, both are good shooters, Archie might have to stay 3 years like Poythress. His family isn't as bad off as Bledsoe's was when he needed to leave, but there was a lot of pressure for him to get paid.

He is a tough kid and a hard worker, but no J and no bball iq means he will be lucky to get in the 1st round... He's gonna have to be in the D League for a while I wouldn't bet one way or another on him making it

 

[Rodgers]

Noel was a great kid and he was in an impossible situation following Davis, but he definitely delivered... His ability to block shots was great, just watch that ole miss game...Also he has great hands, look at the steals he averaged...His offense was raw but he had developed a nice right and left hand jump hook...Also having young fragile aka Harrow, whiteboy walkon polson, and archie not getting him the ball at the right time/spot hurt his #s . I thought he should come back to work on a jumper and to bulk up, he isn't a 4 he is a 5.

After the injury he cant risk tearing his ACL again and not making it to the league

In no way would I draft him top 3 though... I watched every minute he played at uk and there were multiple times he landed awkwardly and u thought he fukked up his leg...Even posted in the original Noel as #1 pick thread I was concerned about injuries... His legs are way too thin for someone with his size who is getting up that high... I don't care how weak the draft is I couldn't bet a top 3 pick on him not having injury issues. I hope Noel has a great career, he is the complete opposite of the racist 1 and done stereotype that even the black members have bought into on this site

 

[Taadow]

Noel said in statement released by the university that he's loved his time with the Wildcats but feels he's ''ready to take the next step on this paper chase.''

Yyyyyyyyyyyeah...i'm throwin' the flag on this one.

 

[Gold Chain]

One and done rule needs to be demolished... Make a more profound rule like... Only certain people from high school can come straight to the NBA... Being top 5 in the nation etc.

One and done is just annoying.

 

[Rodgers]

walt is actually funny and has good basketball analysis on here

but u all over our guys when Roy is doing everything in his power to convince Bullock to be a 2nd round pick next year instead of a 1st this year and turning James Michael into a surefire lotto pick to a late first rounder as a jr

 

[ATearInMyEye]

the editing by the TS was Excellent

 

[Rodgers]

yall were crying about all the garbage high schoolers getting drafted before and now its guys only going to college for a year... If they changed it to two years you would complain about the kids getting held back and not getting an extra year of an nba salary

there is plenty of shhit to complain about in college/nba ball, having a 1 year rule and hopefuly eventually a 2 year rule is not worth all this criticism

 

[Walt]

walt is actually funny and has good basketball analysis on here

but u all over our guys when Roy is doing everything in his power to convince Bullock to be a 2nd round pick next year instead of a 1st this year and turning James Michael into a surefire lotto pick to a late first rounder as a jr

I've said Roy Williams is a dopey fukk of a coach since Kansas. He's one of my least favorite coaches in all of college.

 

[954UAlreadyknow]

One and done rule needs to be demolished... Make a more profound rule like... Only certain people from high school can come straight to the NBA... Being top 5 in the nation etc.

One and done is just annoying.

Yea they have to find a better wsay to do this......