Samardo Samuels is leaving school to support his family. Maybe he made a good decision after all.

Its easy to forget sometimes that for far too many of the athletes that we support night in and night out for our respective universities, they aren't just playing a sport because they love it. They aren't simply playing the sport because god blessed them with an athletic, 6'8" frame or allowed them to stand 6'4" and 250 lb while running a 4.4 40 or gave them the ability to throw a baseball 99 mph.

For a lot of these guys, sports are a way to a better life. They are a way to earn a paycheck. They are a way to support their family, or to put their family into a better financial situation.

Samardo Samuels is in precisely that position. Samuels is Jamaican, and once you get outside of the resorts and the beautiful beaches, Jamaica is a country that deals with all of the hardships you expect of the third world, the main one being poverty.

Samardo Samuels is leaving Louisville to support his family.
(photo credit: ESPN)

All you need to do is read a few paragraphs of this NY Daily News story on Samuels to get a feel for what life was like for Samuels back in Trelawny, Jamaica.

And for Rick Pitino, that is all he needed to hear.

"In Samardo's case, look, y'all have got to understand this is not a young man from the projects of New York or L.A. or Chicago," Pitino told reporters on Wednesday. "This is a young man who's doing it for his family, who's trying to better his family. What we think is poor, you don't know poor. Whether he's making a right or wrong decision is irrelevant because he's doing it for the right reasons. That's why I support his decision."

When Pitino says this, keep in mind that he will be losing his best returner and the third starter from a team that struggled this season, especially when put into comparison with in-state rival Kentucky.

The question asked by Eamonn Brennan at ESPN is whether or not this actually his the best decision Samuels can make financially. He has virtually no shot of being picked in the first round this season, and many believe being scooped up in the second round is unlikely for Samuels.

Brennan says that he could improve his draft standing next year, and while that may be true, I don't think Samuels will ever be a first round pick. Nothing is going to change the fact that he has a center's game, and there aren't 6'8" centers in the NBA. Even if Samuels ends up in, say, the Russian league, he would still make a decent salary.

Maybe we (myself very much included) should stop second guessing a kid who is putting the weight of supporting his family on his shoulders after his sophomore year in college.
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Three college stars will be keeping their names in the NBA Draft pool

News leaked yesterday that three players will be keeping their names in the NBA Draft pool. One made the right decision, one was easy to predict, and one leaves us college folks scratching our heads.


Avery Bradley, Texas, G: Bradley probably made the right decision here, as reports have him signing with agent Dan Fegan. A consensus top five recruit coming out of Findlay Prep in Nevada, Bradley didn't exactly have the type of freshman season that would make people think he was a potential one-and-done kind of player. He averaged 11.6 ppg, but was inconsistent offensively and, at just 6'2", its unclear if he will ever be able to play point guard.

Avery Bradley's best attribute is his defensive ability.
(photo credit: Flickr)

But there is no questioning his talent. There are few that get after it on the defensive end like Bradley does, as he has quick feet and is a strong and athletic kid. Offensively is where the issue lies. Like the rest of his Texas teammates, he was inconsistent to a fault this past season. He went for 20 five times, but there were also games where he was a complete non-factor on the offensive end. But for a freshman on a team with as big of a question mark at the point as Texas had this past season, isn't that to be expected?

Right now, Bradley still has some potential that he can capitalize on, but if he came back for his sophomore season and had the same problems, his stock might drop. He looks like he will be a late first rounder, possibly sneaking into the back end of the lottery, which isn't bad for an undersized two guard that isn't a big time scorer. He likely won't ever be a star at the next level, but if he can land in the right situation -- i.e. playing alongside a big playmaker (Brandon Roy, Tyreke Evans, Dwayne Wade) that can defend the two, he should have a solid career in the pros.


Devin Ebanks, West Virginia, F: We've already touched on the problems with Ebanks as a pro prospect. He has some intriguing tools, but right now there is more talk about his weaknesses than hype about his strengths.

Ebanks is long and fairly athletic. He can rebound the ball, is developing as a scorer, and has the tools to make him a decent defender. But it seems as if Ebanks has a long way to go towards understanding how to play basketball. Everyone in the NBA has tools. Length and athleticism will only get you so far. To be honest, I'd be surprised if a team used a first round pick on Ebanks, which is saying a lot considering that he was a potential lottery pick coming into the season.

Ebanks could have benefited from another season of learning the game, but sometimes a player just wants to go pro.


Samardo Samuels, Louisville, F: This is the decision that leaves me scratching my head. Simply put, Samuels is not a great pro prospect. His skill set is that of a center. He is a strong post player with a nice back-to-the-basket that understands how to use his body to hold a seal and create angles in the paint.

The problem is that he just doesn't have the size to be an NBA center, as Samuels is listed at just 6'8". Players his size have had success in recent drafts -- Paul Millsap ad DeJuan Blair immediately come to mind -- but Samuels doesn't have near the athleticism of Millsap and is not a rebounding machine or nearly as strong and aggressive as Blair (Blair also has the wingspan of a pterodactyl).

Samuels could have come back and been a favorite to win Big East player of the year. But even with a season of averaging 20 and 10, I doubt his draft stock would improve all that much. I wouldn't be surprised if he went undrafted this year.

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2010 NBA Draft Early Entrants: Who helps themselves the most by returning to school

The NBA Draft's Early Entry deadline came and went on Sunday. Today, we will provide you with a bit of fodder over how some of this year's decisions could sway the 2010-11 college basketball season. For a complete list of this year's crop of early entrants, click here.

I am not opposed to early entry into the NBA Draft. In fact, I often support the decision of many of these kids to enter the professional ranks. When the opportunity to become a first round pick presents itself, there is no reason for me to protest against a kid pursuing his dream and making a (substantial) living. If you are blessed enough to be an NBA-worthy talent, there is no reason not to cash-in on your ability.

The issue I have is with the kids that stay in the draft when it would suit them best to go back to school for a year. I understand that this season is unique, with a potential NBA lockout looming, but there are still players who may be able to move up draft boards -- and possibly earn themselves a guaranteed contract -- by returning to school.

While it is a less-than-ideal format this year (and believe me, that is putting it lightly, but that is another post for another day), the ability to test the waters is great for these kind of players. In a perfect world, they can work out for NBA scouts, see where they stand in terms of the NBA Draft, and either continue on with their efforts to lock up a guaranteed contract or return to school and work on the specific aspects of their game that need improvement to up their stock as a draft pick.

Which players should pull their name out of the draft? Note that we are only considering guys that we deem potential first rounders one day. There are a lot of players with their names in the draft that clearly need to head back to school, or simply tested the waters because they are a junior.


Chris Wright, Dayton, junior: Wright has always been a sensational athlete. You don't get the nickname "Top Flight" easily. Wright is 6'8", strong, athletic, and built in the mold of the power wing/combo forward that has become a trend in today's NBA. As a junior, Wright finally started to show some flashes of a developed perimeter game, which he will need in order to become an NBA player. Every player in the NBA is an elite athlete. To warrant a first round pick, you need to bring something else to the table.

Chris Wright, if he's smart, will return to Dayton and get up a lot of jumpers this summer.
(photo credit: Dayton Daily News)

But Wright isn't quite there yet. He jump shot, ball-handling skills, and instincts on the perimeter still need some work. If he can put in the work this summer, and develop himself like, say, Quincy Pondexter did this year, he should be able to work his way into next year's first round. This season, it is very likely that he will fall into the second round.


JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore, Purdue, juniors: Moore is the obvious one here. While he is a very good player at the college level, he lacks the ideal size and athleticism of an NBA two guard, and he isn't a point guard. Simply put, I'm not sure if the NBA is in Moore's future.

Johnson, on the other hand, has the potential to be a first round pick if he comes back. 6'10" and athletic with a soft touch on the perimeter will catch a lot of eyes. But Johnson's issue is his strength. He's just a slender guy, weighing right around 215 lb with a frame that doesn't exactly look like it can add a lot of size.

Johnson isn't a first rounder this year. If he decides to stay in the draft, he will be in that mix of guys looking to steal one of the last 10 picks of the draft. Given his limitations and the quality of talent in the 20-45 range, odds are good that he slips into the second round. But if he spends a summer in the weight room and showcases a better low post game next season for what should be a very good Purdue team, he would likely be a first round pick in 2011. Johnson has gone from the JV for his high school team as a junior to a potential NBA pick in four years. He clearly works hard and is willing to put in the effort to make himself better. The NBA can wait another year.


Keith Benson, Oakland, junior: Benson, like Johnson, is a borderline first round pick this year. Like Johnson, he is tall, long, and athletic with a soft touch on the perimeter. And like Johnson, Benson lacks the strength that is required to be a post player in the NBA.

The talent is there for Keith Benson.
(photo credit: The Oakland Press)

Benson averaged 17 ppg this past season, but too much of that came from the perimeter. While he does have a foundation that should lead people to believe he can improve -- he has excellent footwork, for example -- he needs to get stronger and tougher. In a lot of cases, he is forced to be a perimeter shooter and a face-up big man not for a lack of post moves, but because he lacks the strength and the toughness to hold position on the block and finish those post moves. The strength and toughness issue shows through on the defensive end as well. Benson has first round potential, but he is much more likely to realize that potential if he waits for the 2011 draft.


Samardo Samuels, Louisville, sophomore: Samuels was a top five recruit coming out of high school, and certainly hasn't failed to be a very good player for Rick Pitino. I don't think anyone can complain when they are getting 15 and 7 out of a sophomore.

The problem is that Samuels doesn't really project as an NBA player. He is only 6'8" (and that may be generous) and is comparatively an underwhelming athlete -- he isn't overly quick or explosive. Samuels can survive at the collegiate level because he is strong, understands how to hold position, and has some effective post moves. But with his lack of a perimeter/face-up game, a 6'8" low post player is a long shot at getting picked in the first round, if at all. If Samuels decides to return to Louisville, he could very well be the best post player in the conference, if not the Big East player of the year.


Devin Ebanks, West Virginia, sophomore: Ebanks is a bit of an enigma. Standing 6'9", he is long and pretty athletic. But the issues with Ebanks aren't his tools, it is how he uses them. At times, he looked like he was capable of taking over games this season, but there were also times he looked absolutely lost.

I don't think Ebanks really understands how to play basketball. There were a number of times late in the season where he simply lost track of how much time was left on the clock, or looked completely lost on the offensive end. There is also the issue of an early season suspension and a perimeter game that is really lacking. Ebanks came into the season as a potential lottery pick, and his stock only dropped during the year. Leaving now, he may even end up in the second round. If he can come back and get people talking about his strengths, not his weaknesses, then he may boost himself back into the lottery next season, especially with the likelihood that his role will be expanded without Da'Sean Butler.

Other notable names who could benefit from an extra year in school:

• Avery Bradley, Texas, freshman: Everyone knows how good Bradley can be defensively, but he had an up and down season on the offensive end. With Damion James and Dexter Pittman graduating, Bradley would have the chance to be the focal point offensively. Its a double edged sword, because another inconsistent year could end up the label of strictly a defender.
• Terrico White, Ole Miss, sophomore: There is a lot to like about White. He has two guard size and athleticism, and has shown the ability to play the point (as a freshman, when Chris Warren was injured). He's a potential late first rounder this season, but could move up into the lottery if he goes back to school and has another good year.
• Manny Harris, Michigan, junior: Harris has first round talent, but it is tough to warrant using a first round pick on a guy that couldn't lead his college team to many wins, especially when the late first round is so loaded. Harris has a variety of skills, ut is still maturing as a player and a person as well as learning the game.
• Kenneth Faried, Morehead State, junior: I really like Faried's game. He's 6'8", he's athletic, he's energetic, he plays hard, he attacks the glass. He's the kind of blue-collar player that is going leave everything he has on the floor. Faried is probably never going to be a go-to scorer, but he doesn't need to be to find a spot in the league. He may not improve his stock all that much if he comes back, but he would likely go higher in the draft next year simply because there won't be as many people in front of him on draft boards.
  

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2010 NBA Draft Early Entrants: The biggest impact

The NBA Draft's Early Entry deadline came and went on Sunday. Today, we will provide you with a bit of fodder over how some of this year's decisions could sway the 2010-11 college basketball season. For a complete list of this year's crop of early entrants, click here.

While we all have issues with the earlier withdrawal deadline, the good news is that there actually is an option to withdraw from the draft. As you all know, players are allowed to test the waters one time -- they can enter the draft, go to some of the workouts with NBA teams, get a feel for where they would be getting drafted and what they can do to improve that standings, and then return to school to improve their overall game.

Who are the guys who can change the landscape of college basketball if they decide to return?


Jordan Crawford, Xavier, sophomore: Crawford had the kind of NCAA Tournament performance that makes a player an NBA Draft prospect. He was nothing short of incredible has he averaged 29.0 ppg in leading a young and relatively inexperienced Xavier team into the Sweet 16. The Muskies return most of that young talent as well, with power forward Jason Love the only player that is graduating.

Jordan Crawford could make Xavier next year's Butler.
(photo credit: Indy Star)

If Crawford stays in the draft, which is something many expect him to do -- he has a shot of going in the first round -- Xavier still should end up being a tournament team. A back court of Terrell Holloway, Mark Lyons, and Dante Jackson combined with a front line anchored by seven-footer Kenny Frease should be enough to get the Muskies an at-large bid. But with Crawford on the roster, is it too much to say that Xavier would be the hands down favorite in the Atlantic 10, and a team that may sneak into some top 10's?


E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, Purdue, juniors: Both Moore and Johnson said back in March that they would be returning to school next season, and like we said back then, you always need to take that kind of statement with a grain of salt. Both juniors have declared for the draft, but both would be better suited by returning to school for their senior seasons.

E'Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson could lead Purdue to heights they didn't reach this season.
(photo credit: SLAM)

Moore will likely not be drafted. As good as he is at the college level, he lacks the size and the explosiveness of an NBA two-guard. Johnson has some potential, but he still has quite a thin frame and settles too much for perimeter jumpers. Johnson has a better shot of going somewhere in the second round than Moore, but with the amount of talent available in this year's class, Johnson would probably have a better chance of getting that guaranteed contract if he came back.

Purdue has a chance to, once again, be a Final Four contender. With Robbie Hummel coming back from knee surgery and guys like Lewis Jackson, Kelsey Barlow, John Hart returning as well, the Boilermakers have a solid core. If they can get Moore and Johnson back, this is a team that can compete for a Final Four and potentially a national title. If they don't, Purdue may struggle to even make the NCAA tournament.


Gordon Hayward, Butler, sophomore: Butler became the feel good story of the decade in college basketball when they made their run to the national title game in their home city. The crazy part about that run was that it was made a year early. In other words, with the youth on Butler's roster, they have a chance to be even better next season, pending Hayward's NBA Draft decision. Willie Veasely and Avery Jukes both graduated, but the rest of Butler's roster will be back next season, including Matt Howard, Shelvin Mack, Ronald Nored, and even Brad Stevens.

If Hayward does return, Butler could end up being a top five team in the preseason. But he has a realistic shot at being a mid-to-late first round pick. It will be interesting to see what Hayward does.


Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis, Illinois, juniors: Illinois has a chance to be very good next season. The only player of significance that they graduate is Dominique Keller, they return both of their vaunted freshmen in the back court, and bring in a very good recruiting class. This is likely a tournament team if McCamey and Davis stay in the draft. But neither player is a lock to be a first rounder. Davis isn't even a lock to be drafted, while Draft Express is predicting McCamey to go somewhere in the second round.

McCamey really came on down the stretch last season. He has always been a talent at the point, McCamey's problem was shot selection and decision making. He's also had an attitude problem, at one point this season storming off the floor and bumping Bruce Weber as he walked by. Davis simply is not strong enough yet. A 6'9" forward, he does most of his damage on the offensive end with his jumper. That isn't going to cut it in the league.

With these two back in the line-up, Illinois has a chance to compete in what should once again be a top heavy Big Ten. And if McCamey can continue to improve from where he left off last season, seeing Illinois as a potential Final Four team is not out of the question.


Samardo Samuels, Louisville, forward: Let's face it: Samuels is not yet ready for the NBA. He's a bit undersized and not quite as athletic as NBA teams would like. While he does have a pretty advanced post game, he just simply doesn't have the tools that an NBA team is looking for in a post player. He's around 6'8" and 250 lb, but he's more of a center than a power forward. 6'8" centers don't last in the NBA.

Louisville certainly could use him. They lose Jerry Smith, Edgar Sosa, and Reginald Delk, Terrence Jennings has yet to prove he can be a consistent post presence, and Rick Pitino is hemorrhaging recruits. With Samuels, Louisville might be able to steal one of the four byes in the Big East tournament. Without him, they very well could be playing on the tourney's first day.

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No. 21: 2009-2010 Team Preview: Louisville Cardinals

2008-2009 Record:

Key Losses: Terrence Williams, Earl Clark

Key Returners: Jerry Smith (7.8 ppg, 41.2% 3's), Edgar Sosa (7.3 ppg, 2.4 apg), Samardo Samuels (11.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Terrence Jennings (4.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg)

Newcomers: Peyton Siva, Rakeem Buckles, Mike Marra, Richie Phares, Stephen Van Treese

With Terrence Williams and Earl Clark now in the NBA, sophomore Samardo Samuels is going to be counted on for much more production inside.
(photo credit: Zimbio)

The Louisville Cardinals had a bit of a tumultuous off-season. They lost versatile talents Terrence Williams and Earl Clark to the NBA, Rick Pitino had his most embarrassing moment make national headlines all summer long, and two prospective starters (Jerry Smith and Terrence Jennings) face charges resulting from a fight in Indiana last weekend. But the fact of the matter is that this Louisville program is still stocked with young talent.

Let's start up front, where youth doesn't necessarily mean a lack of productivity. Of the six interior players expected to be in the rotation for the Ville, four are sophomores and two are freshmen. The best of the bunch, at least last season, was 6'9" Samardo Samuels. Samuels is a load on the block, tipping the scales at 260 lb. Samuels is not a very explosive player, but he is as technically sound as they come on the block. He has quick feet in the post and he really understands how to use his body and his strength to his advantage in the lane. Those nimble feet and ample strength also make Samuels an excellent defender and offensive rebounder. His defensive rebounding numbers were not anything too impressive, but a big reason for that was how well Terrence Williams could rebound; Samuels at times was only needed to box out the opposing center. Samuels tailed off a bit towards the end of last season, seeming to get worn out from the season and, simply put, because he struggled a bit against bigger players. Given an off-season to work his body into shape, I'd expect Samuels to have a big year as one of Louisville's top offensive options.

Joining him up front will likely be Terrence Jennings. Jennings showed quite a bit of promise as a freshman. Jennings is a perfect contrast to Samuels up front. His offensive skills need quite a bit of polish, but he is a strong 6'10" with impressive athleticism. He runs the floor well for someone his size, he seals hard in the paint, and if he touches the ball within five feet, he's getting a dunk. But that's about it for Jennings offensively. He has quite a bit of NBA potential, but until he develops an offensive game, he is going to be mostly a dunker and shot blocker, even at this level. But how will he handle playing alongside Samuels as opposed to backing him up?

Joining those two is a deep and talented pool of forwards. Sophomore Jared Swopshire looks to be the leader as the first big off the bench. Swopshire is less of a pure post than Samuels or Jennings, which is important for Pitino's 2-3 zone. If Samuels or Jennings struggles playing as a wing, Swopshire has the same kind of length and athleticism that a guy like Clark had. Another sophomore, George Goode, is a kid with a lot of potential, especially on the defensive end where he had an impressive 20 blocks in just 160 minutes last season. Perhaps the most important player in this front court will be Rakeem Buckles. With Clark and Williams out of the picture, Louisville loses quite a bit of versatility and playmaking ability. Buckles, a 6'8" combo forward known for his perimeter and face-up game, could be the guy that replaces that. Stephan Van Treese, a 6'9" freshman, is another big body that could provide minutes up front.

As we have become accustomed to, Louisville will begin the season with a back court of four interchangeable 6'2" guards. Leading the way will be two seniors - Jerry Smith and Edgar Sosa. Sosa is a bit on an enigma. After an impressive freshman season, Sosa has had a disappointing couple of years, including a junior season in which his minutes were cut and he was nearly asked to transfer by Pitino. Sosa has the talent - he can shoot, he can pass, he can defend - but it is his poor decision making and questionable effort that has made his become a question mark. Louisville is going to need him to step up and become a play maker to help replace what was lost with Williams and Clark.

Smith will most likely start alongside Sosa. Smith is one of those guys who has seemingly been in school forever. His best attribute is his perimeter shot, as he knocked down 41.2% of his attempts from deep. But Smith is also an excellent defender that has proven over the last three years he has no qualms with harassing opposing back courts for 94 feet. Preston Knowles, who had a bit of a breakout sophomore season, is exactly the same player. Knowles may actually be better than Smith, as he has garnered a reputation for being one of the best on-ball defenders in the Big East and proved last season he could be relied on for his perimeter shot, hitting 43.2% from deep.

The best of the bunch may be a freshman. Seattle native Peyton Siva was as sought after as any PG recruit in the country. He can basically do whatever it is you want from a point guard. He can break down a defender, he can lead the break, he works his tail off defensively, and he can rise up and dunk on a big man in the lane or hit a 23 footer off the dribble. What makes him so appealing to Pitino is his play making ability. Siva is going to create points - either for himself or by setting up teammates.

Outlook: Louisville's biggest problem next season is going to be replacing the offensive production that Earl Clark and Terrence Williams brought to the table. Williams played the role of point guard for the Cardinals last season, using his ability to drive and dish to create opportunities in the half court. With Williams, and to a lesser extent Clark, gone, filling that role will be key for Louisville. They have the shooters, they have guys in the paint that can finish, but will they have someone that can set those guys up? Will they have someone that can create their own shot? The Cardinals struggled to score at times last season, and lost their two best offensive players. Defensively, they should be just fine. With a four guard rotation still, they should have no problem pressuring the ball for 40 minutes. The only issue I see is that it may be a struggle for Samuels or Jennings to play a wing role in the 2-3 zone. This roster has the talent to make the dance and finish in the top five in the Big East, but will Pitino be able to get his players to move past all the off-season distractions?
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