Current Cyclones' NBA Potential

cyclonedave25

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Dude chill out, Iowa State does not get as much publicity as the schools that Royce and Allen came from. That hurts their chances bucko.
Does ISU get as much publicity as people from Lithuania, Czech Republic, Congo, San Diego St., Morehead St., Montenegro, Cleveland St., Croatia, Richmond, Latvia, Hofstra, Charleston, Serbia, Nigeria, and Hungary?

BTW, Michigan St. and Minnesota had 0 players drafted this year. Heck, Iowa State was closer to getting a player drafted this year than either of those schools.
 

Rickybaby

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A couple have already mentioned Babb; if he can make the transition to a pure "2" he could have a real future in the NBA; maybe the best of all our players. Allen is a little undersized at the same position but wouldn't rule him out. Its also possible that Allen could make a move to PG. White has a real shot at the SF position. He can handle it pretty good already and is an excellent passer. He has the size to guard the opposing teams SF and because of his build would be difficult to defend in the paint. I don't know about Clyburn, I saw him at CCL the other day and I thought to myself: man, is he skinny: looks like DG just 2-3 inches taller. If he doesn't bulk up he'd get pushed around quite a bit. DG had the same problem although at PG it wouldn't be as noticeable. If Clyburn were to play some of the stronger forwards in the NBA he'd get knocked into the first row. The good thing is that from his comments he knows this and presumably is sitting out this year to bulk up and add strength. If he can add 20-30 lbs he could have a real shot at the NBA too. And there is Ejim. I think he has potential; remember he was a true freshman asked to play lots of minutes and had to contribute in the paint. He still has 3 years to develop his perimeter game and work on outside shooting. His outside shot is not too bad; could use some work though but he has plenty of time. I think he could play a 2 at the next level like Babb and maybe even Clyburn.
 

Malone

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Ok fine you got me Dammit

I'll play devil's advocate and go along with your argument, although you supported it like a 10 year old.

Exposure can be the linchpin in getting a shot at the league. Look at Kenneth Faried out of Morehead State. You can't convince me that he gets drafted at 21 without the exposure he got in the NCAA Tournament. Without Morehead's inexplicable mini-run (jacked up 99.9% of the world's brackets!), they'd glance at his measurables and scoff at the thought of sticking him at power forward.

Another example is almost any player ever drafted that went to Duke. They're typically smart system players that get airtime others with more NBA-worthy games don't. As a particularly supportive example, Shelden Williams went fifth in the '06 draft. In the same draft Paul Millsap went 47 overall. If these two switched the names on their college jerseys, they'd see comparable switches in their draft positions.

Of course, these are exceptions to the rule. NBA scouts generally do a good job in identifying talent regardless of a kid's pedigree. But you can't say that exposure - or lack thereof - doesn't matter.
 

Drive4cy

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Nov 17, 2006
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The exposure argument aside, it's hard to say because there's so much unknown about this roster. A lot of guys have NBA potential. Royce White certainly does but he hasn't played in so long that he's a wild card. I look for him to be up and down this winter. Chris Allen certainly has the ability and with a good year he has every chance to work his way into the draft.

Lucious has more ability than DG (IMO) so perhaps a season in this system will do him wonders. Babb is too young to judge, as is Ejim. Both have the size to play at the next level. I'm very interested to watch Clyburn when his time comes. He could be a monster in this system. Not sure how it will translate to the NBA but who cares.
 

Stumpy

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Apr 10, 2006
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I don't think exposure means all that much, except to the larger basketball fanbase. Teams have scouting departments for the singular reason of identifying talent regardless of where it comes from.

If a player is good, they will create their own buzz.
 

Psiclone

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Apr 11, 2006
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just curious as to who everyone thinks has legitimate NBA potential on our roster right now? I see three guys. white with the most potential, then clyburn, and Allen. all three obviously have to prove themselves, but I believe they all will be drafted because I believe these three will meet or exceed expectations. I will not bring the wrath of cyclonefanatic on myself by adding more to that list but I do believe others will get looks (Lucious, Babb?) just seeing what everyones opinion is!

Based on the few videos of Clyburn I've seen, I agree with you re: his NBA potential. He appears quick enough to play the 2 and definitely has the range. He's very smooth and appears to be able to drive to the basket and do a spin move on the way there. Very smooth. I wish he were eligible this year, but it gives us something too look forward to.
 

heitclone

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Jun 21, 2009
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I don't think exposure means all that much, except to the larger basketball fanbase. Teams have scouting departments for the singular reason of identifying talent regardless of where it comes from.

If a player is good, they will create their own buzz.

Exactly, guys who play 10 games for a club team in Italy get drafted, even if they only play limited minutes. The NBA will find you if they want you. No one that plays in a power conference, and earn all conference honors (a la DG) needs to worry about exposure. History has proven if an ISU player deserves to get drafted he will. Fans around here are finding all kinds of excuses for Diante, they need to move on.
 

CYVADER

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Nov 16, 2006
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Dude chill out, Iowa State does not get as much publicity as the schools that Royce and Allen came from. That hurts their chances bucko.

seeing how we have the 3rd most players drafted since the inception of the big 12, i'd say it doesn't bucko.
 

cyclonespiker33

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On a related note... Is there any news on DG? I ask because he was repping a Knicks hat at CCL tonight
 

Frak

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Did you really say Sledge? He is 5'8". no way a guy that small gets drafted unless he shows stardom which will be rare for a guy without a jump shot

And if you read my post, you would see that I mentioned that he would need that jump shot. He supposedly has the handle and the speed with the ball...IF he develops a consistant jumper and pull-up, he has a chance. That's a huge IF though, because you just don't see players take areas of their game that are a weakness and turn it into a strength.
 

CloneFan65

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I'll play devil's advocate and go along with your argument, although you supported it like a 10 year old.

Exposure can be the linchpin in getting a shot at the league. Look at Kenneth Faried out of Morehead State. You can't convince me that he gets drafted at 21 without the exposure he got in the NCAA Tournament. Without Morehead's inexplicable mini-run (jacked up 99.9% of the world's brackets!), they'd glance at his measurables and scoff at the thought of sticking him at power forward.

The difference is the competion-level. Whether ISU has a national reputation or not, they play in the Big 12, so scouts can measure them against some the best players in the country. A player coming out of Morehead State is harder to judge. That's why playing well in the tournament against better competition makes such a big difference to the scouts.
 

Malone

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The difference is the competion-level. Whether ISU has a national reputation or not, they play in the Big 12, so scouts can measure them against some the best players in the country. A player coming out of Morehead State is harder to judge. That's why playing well in the tournament against better competition makes such a big difference to the scouts.

Usually guys at smaller schools get a chance against better competition at some point or another. Faried had 20 and 18 against Florida earlier in the year, and 15 and 12 against Ohio State a game later. He did well against great competition, but I imagine he still wouldn't be a first round pick without the tournament exposure. More eyes on him allowed for the hype machine to start rumbling; scouts are like you and me in that they're susceptible to hype. Of course, this a completely unverifiable argument - but one I think is true.

I don't think it's arguable that the more exposure a player gets positively impacts his chances of cracking the league. (Duke)
 

Rhoadhoused

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cart-before-horse.jpg


In reference to anyone being mentioned besides RW, Chris Allen, or Clyburn. And even then it still applies.
 

Cydkar

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Does anybody think that Okoro or Niang have potential to be NBA players?

Niang would definitely have to have a growth spurt. He's got wonderful skills but the NBA is an above the rim league and he's not that type of player. Not to many 6'7" PF in the NBA. He'll either need to grow or really develop his perimeter skills.

ALL based on about 7 minutes of video. :twitcy:
 

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