Wesley vows to play in the NCAA tournament...in '08 (and more nuggets)

ISUFan22 · 02-28-2007, 08:40 PM

DMR Link

Here are some interesting quotes...

"I'm planning on playing in it next season, if not this year," Johnson said of the Cyclones making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004-05. "If I can be part of that, then it would be wonderful."

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What about that - will Texas freshman Kevin Durant take the NBA money after playing in the NCAA Tournament?

"He'll probably go pro," Johnson said. "He doesn't have anything else to prove - he's scoring 30 points every other game, and he's going to be national player of the year.

"If I was him, I would go."

ISUFan22 · 02-28-2007, 08:41 PM

So there it is folks...log this one in your memory banks. Wesley has gone on record to state if he was in Durant's shoes, he'd go pro.

We all think he's going to be a star. If he booms like some think he may, don't be shocked if he takes off early.

I think next season would be too early for him but it's not out of question to see him gone after his junior year.

Bobber · 02-28-2007, 09:03 PM

Hey money's money. If Wesley can get a multi-million contract he should go. He's not anywhere close to that, but I can't fault him for saying that.

ISUFan22 · 02-28-2007, 09:09 PM

Neither can I.

mike4cy · 02-28-2007, 09:23 PM

Would you be any different? If you could get paid millions to play basketball or get paid peanuts to sit in an office with 8 different bosses harping on you about your TPS reports...I am thinking that any of us would do the same. That being said, GO SCORE 30 POINTS/GAME WESLEY!!!

SeattleClone · 02-28-2007, 09:37 PM

Originally Posted by ISUFan22

"I'm planning on playing in it next season, if not this year," Johnson said of the Cyclones making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004-05. "If I can be part of that, then it would be wonderful."

-----

What about that - will Texas freshman Kevin Durant take the NBA money after playing in the NCAA Tournament?

"He'll probably go pro," Johnson said. "He doesn't have anything else to prove - he's scoring 30 points every other game, and he's going to be national player of the year.

"If I was him, I would go."

That first statement about hopefully playing in the tournament next year makes it sound like he might not be around after next year... Who knows, but I'd be happy if we have him for 3 years.

If ISU does make the tourney next year, Wesley will surely be a big part of the reason, and that would definitely raise his stock. Time will tell...

9seven · 02-28-2007, 10:07 PM

I wouldn't put to much stock in what WJ said about leaving. WJ is soooo far from where Durant is comparing them is kind of pointless. WJ has a lot of room to improve before he makes the jump to the NBA...

arganbright2 · 02-28-2007, 10:21 PM

Johnson doesn't have an NBA body. Plus he is 6'7'' tall. 6'7'' nowadays is borderline between a shooting guard and small forward. If he is going to play in the NBA, he needs to be handling the rock and shooting better from 3. If he goes pro after next year, I will bet my first child he does not make it in the league.

Rickybaby · 02-28-2007, 10:37 PM

I love Wesley's potential but agree with what was just said. Going pro next year? Extemely doubtful. His junior year? Perhaps, if he continues to improve. To those that say he's 6-7. I don't know about you but watch closely the next time you see Wesley next to Rashon. Wes is easily 2-3 inches taller. I believe Rashon is a legit 6-6. I think Wes is closer to 6-8 and maybe even 6-9. Long wingspan too. And he has better ball handling skills than Rashon. And he's still a frosh. Wes, continue to improve over the next few years and you will be rolling in money. If you bolt after your JR year, I will have no complaints and wish you all the best.

mike4cy · 02-28-2007, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by arganbright2

Johnson doesn't have an NBA body. Plus he is 6'7'' tall. 6'7'' nowadays is borderline between a shooting guard and small forward. If he is going to play in the NBA, he needs to be handling the rock and shooting better from 3. If he goes pro after next year, I will bet my first child he does not make it in the league.

If Durant has an NBA body, then so does Wesley, but not for a few years....

ajk4st8 · 02-28-2007, 11:01 PM

Durant can handle the ball, Wesley kinda can. Two totally different players. Wes has hit some nice outside shots, but really cant stroke it like Durant. Wesley when it is all said and done maybe an NBA type.

JVAR · 02-28-2007, 11:41 PM

Wesley definitely has an NBA athletic ability (41 inch hops, etc.) and has the frame to put on 20 pounds of muscle. We haven't seen him at his natural position for a whole year. He has the frame to put on 20 to 25 pounds of muscle and then he will have an NBA body. You don't see too many freshmen (except for Greg Oden) with NBA bodies. Durant doesn't even have an NBA body yet, but his skill and athleticism will carry him. I agree, Wesley needs at least 3 and probably all 4 years, but we have a lot of players into the NBA and he is ahead of almost every freshman (except for Fizer) that I can think of that played for ISU that made the NBA. He is going to be a special player. His ball handling will improve and so will his field goal %. He has a great looking jumper.

TheHelgo · 02-28-2007, 11:44 PM

wasn't everyone saying the same thing about Clark last year....

JVAR · 03-01-2007, 12:06 AM

I don't think Clark could handle the ball, create his own shot, or had a great looking jumper last year. He averaged 13+ a game because of the offense that Morgan ran. He had a lot of baskets in transition. I do remember, though, many people saying that he would make it in the NBA because of his athletic ability. Despite his down year, Clark is one of my favorite clones because he plays hard and plays good D. I have met him before and he is also a super nice guy.

Bobber · 03-01-2007, 12:08 AM

Yeah you got to give him respect too as he was a rock saying he was sticking with ISU through the Morgan fiasco.