Brackins says he is here to stay.

[CycloneErik]

Didn't Beasley say about the same thing last year about this time?

Yes. We could ask the same question about any early entrant. They all say it. I applaud him for answering the question, and respect his political correctness, and even hope that this is how it will be. But, if it's best for him to go pro, then I hope he does it at the right time, whenever that is.

I respect our coach for saying that he'll stand behind Craig whatever his choice may be.

Yeah-crazy to actually get a degree from college. Yeah he'll make a lot in the NBA, but he will make that whenever he goes...and an NBA career doesn't last forever so he'll need something to fall back on. I hope he tries to be a roll model and stays for the right reasons.

At the same time, the school will always be here, and he can come back to get the degree. Since NBA careers are short, it doesn't hurt to make the money now, and then come back for the fallback plan. He could concentrate full-time on the studies, without needing to hold down a job or the "distraction" of team sports. This can be argued either way.

I hope he gets good advice, and makes the absolute best choice that he can. I hope we see him for 4 years, but that might not be the best for him, and he has to live with his choice a lot more than I do.

[Clonefan32]

Only God and Craig Brackin's know how long he will stay. God forbid the guy might actually listen to his parents and wants to stay all 4 years to get a good *Gasp* education. OK everyone can stop laughing now.

I don't agree with the argument that they should stay in school "to get a good education." There is no reason these guys can't go back and get their degrees by working at it during the off season. Many pros have gone back and got their degrees, and still managed to make 10-15 mill a year in the process. If they want to get a degree they still can, lord knows they could afford the tuition.

[cybsball20]

Maybe but it was obviously no secret he was a one-and-done player.

In Brackins' case it's politically correct at this point to say he's staying. We shouldn't doubt his word, but we also need to understand that things may change as the year progresses.

Personally, I expect he'll be back for his junior year.

I really think he could benefit from another year, but in watching other games and other teams play, especially top ranked players, the talent is pretty thin this year and it might be a big mistake to come back...

[cybsball20]

I respect our coach for saying that he'll stand behind Craig whatever his choice may be.

You mean he won't pull a Pete Carroll?

I don't agree with the argument that they should stay in school "to get a good education." There is no reason these guys can't go back and get their degrees by working at it during the off season. Many pros have gone back and got their degrees, and still managed to make 10-15 mill a year in the process. If they want to get a degree they still can, lord knows they could afford the tuition.

True, alot of players do finish up... Plus, I'm pretty sure the NBA Players Association will pick up the tab, so they don't even have to pay...

[CycloneErik]

You mean he won't pull a Pete Carroll?

I hope not. That doesn't sound like Greg.

[kucyclone]

I think McDermott needs one of his players in the NBA just as much as he needs Brackins back for another year, in terms of long-term health of the program. I don't see us having the horses to compete for championships next year anyway, and I would doubt Brackins would stay all four years. If he gets a first-round projection, he should go.

[benjay]

I think McDermott needs one of his players in the NBA just as much as he needs Brackins back for another year, in terms of long-term health of the program.

McDermott needs wins more than anything. As such, Brackins back for his junior year will do a lot more for McDermott than having him jet to the NBA this year. It's pretty obvious at this point that he's an NBA talent, so I don't know how you could argue the contrary.

[CycloneErik]

He's got a player in the NBA. His name is Mike Taylor.

[dinger]

Still, he says his goal for today will be defeating Kansas, who the Cyclones face at 9:30 p.m.

just to clarify...were are flying to Boulder to play the buffalos right? we dont have to play the jayhawks again at a neutral site? well at least not at a neutral site until the semis in OKC.

[shildreth]

Take the article with a grain a salt. good intention, but that is what he is supposed to say.

[farmerbrent]

It is my honest belief that Chalmers was the best player on KU for each of his three season in Lawrence. Rush and a couple of the bigs got more attention, but Chalmers was the heartbeat of that team. I don't know if the NBA scouts saw that or not. And I don't know what my point is with this post, but luckily, most posts I've read on CF are the same way. I think Chalmers, being a junior last year, would have gone to the camps anyway. And he wouldn't have slipped much further than he did. He ended up being a second-rounder and will probably make the rookie team for All-Star weekend (it hasn't been announced yet, has it? I don't pay too much attention to the NBA.) You're right, though. Brackins' situation is much different than Chalmers'.

I think my point is that every player lies when asked this question. Maybe it's not a complete lie at the time, but the players know what to say to keep the media off their back about it.

Maybe KU should have given Chalmers's mom a job, too. Or at least given his dad a raise. Maybe he would have stayed.

[Clone_12]

IF Brackins decides to go at the end of the year...he won't be pulling a "Chizik" on us. He'll be pursuing a lifelong dream, and trying to do what's best for his family...hopefully, he'll decide that he wants at least one more year to put on muscle and improve his stock.

One way to tell if he's gone before the season ends...if he bends down and kisses the court after the game on senior day...if he doesn't do it, it's no guarantee for us, but a lotta players that are leaving early do that. That's when I was 100% sure Fizer was leaving.

[Clones21]

He's playing better right now than Fizer did as a sophmore.

If he does stick around and we get some more production out of some of the other player and newcomers, we could really be a wicked team.

I think so too...If we can keep our players here, were going to be competeing for a Big 12 champtionship by 2010 or 2011

[kucyclone]

He's got a player in the NBA. His name is Mike Taylor.

I gotta give the D-league just as much, if not more credit than McDermott on that one. He sure didn't look like anything close to a pro player during his season in Ames. And I doubt there are many high schoolers that even know who Mike Taylor is. He hasn't played a minute in more than a month.

[GeronimusClone]

IF Brackins decides to go at the end of the year...he won't be pulling a "Chizik" on us. He'll be pursuing a lifelong dream, and trying to do what's best for his family....

As opposed to Chizdick?