Royce leaving for NBA is good for ISU bball

**Cyclonepride** · 03-23-2012, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by State43

Blind statements like this is stupid. Winning is what is good for ISU. Great for Royce and I am proud of him and thankful for his hard work and dedication to the Cyclones. But losing your best player is not "Good for ISU" no matter what you say. If down the line, players see the Mayor as a coach that can get them to the next level and choose us based on that, then you can make the claim. Otherwise you are just shooting rainbows out of your ***.

**jbhtexas** · 03-23-2012, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Naughtius

While I think and hope Royce goes first round, I disagree that it's a positive only if he goes 1st round. It's obviously sexier, but given the situation when Royce came to you, getting into the NBA at all was an accomplishment that would not have gone unnoticed.

There's a lot more than just "sexier" involved in not getting drafted in the first round. If you don't get drafted in the first round, you aren't guaranteed of getting into the NBA. No guaranteed money and no two-year contract.

RW had two years of college eligibility left, and would most certainly have been under scholarship. There's really no reason for a sophomore to leave the security of a college scholarship for the uncertainly of a second round NBA draft pick, particulalry if staying could improve that player into a first round pick (and the guarantees that come with it). He left because he believed that he would be a first round pick.

RW plainly mentioned that he was leaning on CFH's guidance in making this decision. If for some reason, RW falls out of the first round, it will certainly damage CFH's credibility in the area of getting players to the NBA (and thus getting the best of the college recruits).

**Wesley** · 03-23-2012, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Stormin

White could actually move into the 10-15 area. Royce has a very unique skill set. And he played extremely well against some projected lottery picks in the NCAA's. It is all about potential when it comes to the NBA.

IMO, it was the positive feedback that Fred got from his NBA contacts that resulted in Fred telling Royce it was time to go. As Fred said, from a selfish perspective Fred wanted Royce to stay. But in knowing Royce's goals it was time for Royce to get the money and go to the NBA. Knowing that Fred is ultimately recommending what is best for the player over his own personal wants is the greatest positive for ISU BB that we can get.

Having written 100 songs and having his own enterprise, Royce was probably ready to leave behind the reins of the NCAA and Roar into the NBA.

**ZeaMaize** · 03-23-2012, 10:21 AM

" But losing your best player is not "Good for ISU" no matter what you say."

You always quickly lose your best player in college athletics; one way or the other. The key is a system that can replace them, and build up the new ones quickly.
Fred is not a one trick pony here. (we hope!!)
The very successful Royce White "experiment" is a huge boost to the program as the original poster was pointing out.

**Cyclones01** · 03-23-2012, 10:24 AM

Hopefully it turns out being a good thing. We know the transfer situation has worked out for the transfers and so far has gotten us a lot of wins. But I believe Fred's goal was to get the program to a point where ISU is a place young talent wants to come. We'll have a lot of scholarships available at the end of next season; I'm excited to see what king of recruits Fred will bring in to fill them.

**jdoggivjc** · 03-23-2012, 10:33 AM

Short term it's a bittersweet pill for ISU fans to swallow because ISU could have been a legitimate Final Four contending team next year if he returned. Long term, however, it greatly benefits Hoiberg's recruiting. Hoiberg's recruiting strategy right now is showing the recruit his old Timberwolves business cards and then handing over his cell phone and showing him all his NBA contacts, then telling them "I can get you into the NBA." With Royce White in the NBA, he can now point to an example and say "I put him there in just my second year as ISU's head coach."

**jkrapfl** · 03-23-2012, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by State43

Blind statements like this is stupid. Winning is what is good for ISU. Great for Royce and I am proud of him and thankful for his hard work and dedication to the Cyclones. But losing your best player is not "Good for ISU" no matter what you say. If down the line, players see the Mayor as a coach that can get them to the next level and choose us based on that, then you can make the claim. Otherwise you are just shooting rainbows out of your ***.

Winning is great, but with or without Royce we can win next year. What this is going to do is solidify Fred as a coach that looks out for the best interests of each individual kid that plays under him. That is gold when it comes to recruiting and the parents of these kids see how well their kid will be treated. The kid is going to make the final decision, but the parent will have a huge influence on that decision and this could be the deciding factor.

**NickTheGreat** · 03-23-2012, 11:46 AM

Interesting theory. Surprised no one had started a thread or mentioned this yet

**marothisu** · 03-23-2012, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneML

This confirms Fred's recruiting theme:

1) Young player comes to ISU
2) Coaches develop player
3) Fred has connections to NBA

Now they will have Royce's NBA jersey in the office as Exhibit A.

The plan is working. Yes, we lose Royce, but it opens the doors to many other blue chippers.

He still needs to be drafted..especially somewhere in the first round. Until then, it's not good or bad for ISU's rep.

**gogagig** · 03-23-2012, 12:08 PM

I'm not against Royce leaving. He owes us nothing. It's probably best for Royce's career that he left.

But to say that Royce leaving is better for ISU than Royce staying, is absolute nonsense.

Give me any event, however negative. I can find a positive that comes from it. But that doesn't mean that was the best possible outcome.

**Cyclonepride** · 03-23-2012, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by gogagig

I'm not against Royce leaving. He owes us nothing. It's probably best for Royce's career that he left.

But to say that Royce leaving is better for ISU than Royce staying, is absolute nonsense.

Give me any event, however negative. I can find a positive that comes from it. But that doesn't mean that was the best possible outcome.

It seems that some can find a negative in almost any positive too.

CyBer · 03-23-2012, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by gogagig

I'm not against Royce leaving. He owes us nothing. It's probably best for Royce's career that he left.

But to say that Royce leaving is better for ISU than Royce staying, is absolute nonsense.

Give me any event, however negative. I can find a positive that comes from it. But that doesn't mean that was the best possible outcome.

Unless we land someone better than Royce who takes his spot

**Dryburn** · 03-23-2012, 01:14 PM

I don't think we will ever know for sure if it was a good thing or not. It may lead to a couple of good recruits, but then so could have his staying for the next year (or 2 years even!) and ISU competing for a couple of Big 12 titles, maybe winning a Big 12 tourney or to and advancing to the Elite Eight or even further.

If he is drafted high enough, and performs well in the pros, it could be a good thing. I'm just not so sure it is better for ISU than what the alternative could have been.

**CyJack13** · 03-23-2012, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by jbhtexas

There's a lot more than just "sexier" involved in not getting drafted in the first round. If you don't get drafted in the first round, you aren't guaranteed of getting into the NBA. No guaranteed money and no two-year contract.

RW had two years of college eligibility left, and would most certainly have been under scholarship. There's really no reason for a sophomore to leave the security of a college scholarship for the uncertainly of a second round NBA draft pick, particulalry if staying could improve that player into a first round pick (and the guarantees that come with it). He left because he believed that he would be a first round pick.

RW plainly mentioned that he was leaning on CFH's guidance in making this decision. If for some reason, RW falls out of the first round, it will certainly damage CFH's credibility in the area of getting players to the NBA (and thus getting the best of the college recruits).

Having Royce suceed in the NBA will have much bigger impact than where he is drafted. If he is out of the league in three years, no one will remember whether he went 20th or 40th. Going in the first round is obviously better since you get a guaranteed deal, but as long as you make the team, second round money really isn't that different. Plus all the money is made during a player's second and third contracts, your rookie deal is basically just getting your foot in the NBA door.

**kberyldial** · 03-23-2012, 01:28 PM

Royce leaving is not good for ISU basketball. The same story would have played out next year only with a potentially better NBA spot for him. That, and he would have made us a better team next year. Your points 1-3 would still apply and we'd be in a better position to win the big 12 and go deep in the tourney. Not to mention the pre-season pub would have been at a higher level. National exposure would be greater given what everyone saw Royce do in the tourney. All that said, Royce having been here did some nice things for Fred as he gets his coaching career going. Even if it's "good" he's leaving it would have been better for ISU basketball had he stayed.