Royce leaving for NBA is good for ISU bball

**cycloneML** · 03-23-2012, 06:10 AM

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.

**hawkeyeh8r** · 03-23-2012, 06:15 AM

it only works if he is a lottery pick or first round pick

**Cyclonepride** · 03-23-2012, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by hawkeyeh8r

it only works if he is a lottery pick or first round pick

He is. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that when it all shakes out, he goes between 10-15 in the first round.

I think this season has been hugely important for a number of reasons, including this one.

1. It proves Freddie can help to develop talent
2. It proves he can bring diverse personalities together into a team
3. It generates a definite surge of excitement and upward mobility for Cyclone basketball.
4. The way Freddie adjusts the offense to suit his players will be very attractive- two seasons, two very different offenses.
5. The Royce situation proves that Freddie puts his guys first over the program.

Given the fact that we have a great recruiting class coming in based solely on the force of Freddie's personality and hope, one can only be ecstatic about the prospects of future classes. I have no reason to think that any level of recruit is off limits to Iowa State while Fred is there.

**Stormin** · 03-23-2012, 06:48 AM

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.

**Naughtius** · 03-23-2012, 07:03 AM

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.
FWIW, I think it's great that we're looking at this as a plus. I can't recall any time during McDoormat's reign where a player left ISU early and we could put a positive spin on it.

**ISUonthemove** · 03-23-2012, 07:40 AM

I'm really happy for, Royce. But could you imagine all the exposure we would get on the national level next year, if he was staying? It would have been something we had never seen at Iowa State. I've never seen the media fall head-over-heels for a player like Royce.

**Clonebydesign** · 03-23-2012, 07:46 AM

I think its great for ISU, good luck Royce!

**acgclone** · 03-23-2012, 08:19 AM

My only fear for Royce is that this is such an unusually deep draft that it pushes him to the end of the 1st round or early 2nd. He and Hoiberg need to sell his abilities to the NBA in the next several weeks.

**MohawkCy88** · 03-23-2012, 08:29 AM

Another great take from cycloneML, at 6 in the morning no less. Couldnt agree more. Would have been fun to have him around next year but when CFH recommends that he goes, it is truly the best thing for the program. Will help in 2013-14 too given the minutes that the young ones will get. Great take ML

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.

**Psiclone** · 03-23-2012, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by hawkeyeh8r

it only works if he is a lottery pick or first round pick

Exactly. There's a good argument that in the long run, Royce staying another year would have been better. I have no doubt that his name would have been mentioned all year for National POY and there would have been a good chance he would have been named Conference POY. We would also have advanced further in the NCAA Tournament giving our program even greater exposure. Royce could have been a lottery pick as well. Although anything is possible, I just don't see Royce's stock not improving, particularly in-light of the fact that THIS WAS HIS FIRST YEAR PLAYING COLLEGE BALL!

I think his stock will rise if he gets to work out for any pro team. (Didn't Fred say Royce's bench presses at the start of the season were better than any NBA rookie last year?)

But to put things in perspective, Royce should and has made the decision which is best for his family at this point in time. We can only be thankful we had the opportunity to see his talent in a Cyclone uniform, however short that time period was.

**CycoCyclone** · 03-23-2012, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonepride

He is. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that when it all shakes out, he goes between 10-15 in the first round.

I think this season has been hugely important for a number of reasons, including this one.

1. It proves Freddie can help to develop talent
2. It proves he can bring diverse personalities together into a team
3. It generates a definite surge of excitement and upward mobility for Cyclone basketball.
4. The way Freddie adjusts the offense to suit his players will be very attractive- two seasons, two very different offenses.
5. The Royce situation proves that Freddie puts his guys first over the program.

Given the fact that we have a great recruiting class coming in based solely on the force of Freddie's personality and hope, one can only be ecstatic about the prospects of future classes. I have no reason to think that any level of recruit is off limits to Iowa State while Fred is there.

also proves you can be a first round NBA pick from ISU

**BloodyBuddy** · 03-23-2012, 08:42 AM

You know what else would be good for ISU ball??? A final four run.

Don't blame Royce though, I would have left too.

**State43** · 03-23-2012, 08:50 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.

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 ***.

**RayShimley** · 03-23-2012, 09:31 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 ***.

There's a difference between what is good for ISU and what is BEST for ISU. I think your failure to distinguish between those two is why you took issue with the OP.