Katz: with Harper and McConnell back?

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Can't see it happening, but....

 

[BillyC80]

Wishful thinking, but hey, you never know.

 

[willisneverrana43]

He’s got Simpson as a big time scorer next year . . .

 

[RU2323]

Before we get excited, thought it’s already been reported that Ron is 100% gone? Caleb is 50/50 (from what we hear), but Ron is gone, right?

 

[Sweet Pea's Corner]

Waaaaahoooozle

 

[GM]

Before we get excited, thought it’s already been reported that Ron is 100% gone? Caleb is 50/50 (from what we hear), but Ron is gone, right?

Seemed like it, but he technically didn’t forgo his eligibility and it’s possible scouts and evaluators are telling him another year may benefit him/could benefit from NIL. Still wouldn’t be close to counting on it, but interesting Katz would even say this as I’m pretty sure he knows how certain it seemed RHJ wouldn’t be returning.

 

[Scangg]

Crank out some monster NIL deals and bring them back! Would be epic.

Knowledgeable poster saying Caleb is coming back

Don't really have any hope for Ron returning but I'll glad be wrong there. Please make me wrong Ron

 

[RUJMM78]

Seemed like it, but he technically didn’t forgo his eligibility and it’s possible scouts and evaluators are telling him another year may benefit him/could benefit from NIL. Still wouldn’t be close to counting on it, but interesting Katz would even say this as I’m pretty sure he knows how certain it seemed RHJ wouldn’t be returning.

Its posible the health issues that Harper had this season impacts his NBA draft status and makes returning to Rutgers for another year a attractive option.His return along with McConnell would make Rutgers a preseason top five selection in the Big Ten.While I still think its wishfull thinking ,both players should know by mid May their plans for next season.Pikiell needs to know the answer ASAP because recruiting is impacted by their decision.

 

[Big East Beast]

It’s just as hard for me to imagine McConnell leaving as it is Harper staying.

 

[RUBlackout]

I think McConnell stays. I’m at this scholarship event tonight and the basketball team is here including him.
Anyone else here?

 

[needmorecowbell]

I think McConnell stays. I’m at this scholarship event tonight and the basketball team is here including him.
Anyone else here?

Caleb is 99% coming back according to insiders.

 

[RUPete]

He probably just misspoke on Harper. Not sure what he knows about Simpson but I would take that.

 

[RUJMM78]

I think McConnell stays. I’m at this scholarship event tonight and the basketball team is here including him.
Anyone else here?

Is Harper and Baker at the event?

 

[RUBlackout]

The entire team was there tonight except RHJ. I spoke to Mulachy while there but no one else. Geo was a host speaker along with Gianna Glatz.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

The entire team was there tonight except RHJ. I spoke to Mulachy while there but no one else. Geo was a host speaker along with Gianna Glatz.

That doesn’t mean anything. Harper wasn’t going to be there regardless. If it was last season he wouldn’t have been there and returning was clearly a high possibility then. I’m sure he’s getting work outs while he waits to see if he’ll get a combine invite.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

Seemed like it, but he technically didn’t forgo his eligibility and it’s possible scouts and evaluators are telling him another year may benefit him/could benefit from NIL. Still wouldn’t be close to counting on it, but interesting Katz would even say this as I’m pretty sure he knows how certain it seemed RHJ wouldn’t be returning.

Just to be clear, no NBA scout is telling any player that going back for a 5th year is going to help them in the NBA draft. They are drafting primarily 1st and 2nd year players and international players, a couple of 3rd year players, and 1 or 2 fourth year players. They are looking for strong skills sets with high upside.

 

[RUBlackout]

Thing is there are more people still declaring for the NBA so that decreases chances for many to even be drafted. I saw 3 players from Duke declare and they were in your 1-2yr bucket. That is 3 less spots out there for only 2 rounds

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

He’s got Simpson as a big time scorer next year . . .

Impossible because Pike can't recruit and he's only a measly 3* per Rivals.

 

[MLBash93]

Just to be clear, no NBA scout is telling any player that going back for a 5th year is going to help them in the NBA draft. They are drafting primarily 1st and 2nd year players and international players, a couple of 3rd year players, and 1 or 2 fourth year players. They are looking for strong skills sets with high upside.

In the last two draft classes a combined 15 seniors were drafted. That's quite a bit more than "1 or 2".

Is ron a 1st rounder ? No.

Is there a decent chance he's picked between 45-60? Yes there is.

 

[RUPete]

Thing is there are more people still declaring for the NBA so that decreases chances for many to even be drafted. I saw 3 players from Duke declare and they were in your 1-2yr bucket. That is 3 less spots out there for only 2 rounds

That's a good point and the international pool has changed everything for many years now. Although I'm still pissed at the Knicks for picking Frank N (still can't spell his last name) 8th or 7th- whatever it was.

 

[FAT MOON]

I would say the only way Ron could be back in the fold is if he's told he won't be drafted, and the powers that be can put together an NIL deal for him that would beat what he'd get paid to play overseas.

 

[willisneverrana43]

Impossible because Pike can't recruit and he's only a measly 3* per Rivals.

I was more making the point that, while I like Katz, his calling card is to be positive on every team and player. He's a pretty big B1G cheerleader. Virtually noboby is projecting Simpson as a big time scorer as a freshman, and less than virtually nobody is projecting that Harper will come back given draft predictions. But, hey, I hope he's right on both counts.

 

[phlop87]

since we are just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks ... how about this::: Ron and Caleb return to the hardwood next year and Pike offers Geo a grad assistant spot. The 3 amigos have one last run together

 

[Nycrusupporter]

In the last two draft classes a combined 15 seniors were drafted. That's quite a bit more than "1 or 2".

Is ron a 1st rounder ? No.

Is there a decent chance he's picked between 45-60? Yes there is.

He is on the bubble, many of the mock drafts don’t have him going. But my point was coming back for a 5th year would not help his draft stock.

 

[DirtyRU]

He is on the bubble, many of the mock drafts don’t have him going. But my point was coming back for a 5th year would not help his draft stock.

So if he shed 10-15 pounds, upped his PPG avg. to 19-20 and added some moves to his offensive skillset, you don't think that would benefit his draft stock next year?

 

[NickRU714]

So if he shed 10-15 pounds, upped his PPG avg. to 19-20 and added some moves to his offensive skillset, you don't think that would benefit his draft stock next year?

Technically - sure. He goes from "possible 2nd round/undrafted" to "solid 2nd round".
Long story short - he's still likely to end up in the G-League/overseas likely.

There is near zero chance he becomes a 1st round pick (guaranteed contract) selection in any NBA draft - 2022 or 2023.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Technically - sure. He goes from "possible 2nd round/undrafted" to "solid 2nd round".
Long story short - he's still likely to end up in the G-League/overseas likely.

There is near zero chance he becomes a 1st round pick (guaranteed contract) selection in any NBA draft - 2022 or 2023.

Sounds right. That doesn’t mean an epic year in college wouldn’t put him in better position to make a roster though than a year in the G league - if his plan is to ride the NBA dream. In his case - the salary he could get right now in Europe is probably top dollar. I doubt they it’s matchable with NIL deals (though I’d love to learn I’m wrong).

 

[Scangg]

That's a good point and the international pool has changed everything for many years now. Although I'm still pissed at the Knicks for picking Frank N (still can't spell his last name) 8th or 7th- whatever it was.

My friend called him Frankie Nicotine bc hes bad for your health

 

[Scangg]

I would say the only way Ron could be back in the fold is if he's told he won't be drafted, and the powers that be can put together an NIL deal for him that would beat what he'd get paid to play overseas.

What kind of money would it take to get Harper back on an NIL deal?

 

[Nycrusupporter]

So if he shed 10-15 pounds, upped his PPG avg. to 19-20 and added some moves to his offensive skillset, you don't think that would benefit his draft stock next year?

Any NBA team will just assume once they put him on a program they will get him to drop weight. They will all make assumptions on how they can develop him, and at his age his upside is much lower than young kids who are coming out it after their first couple years and international teenagers who already have pro experience.

 

[chrebet80]

Just to be clear, no NBA scout is telling any player that going back for a 5th year is going to help them in the NBA draft. They are drafting primarily 1st and 2nd year players and international players, a couple of 3rd year players, and 1 or 2 fourth year players. They are looking for strong skills sets with high upside.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious. Ron coming back will not help his draft status one bit unless he suddenly becomes a 25ppg scorer. The only reason he would come back is if we get him a huge NIL deal that makes it worth it for him to not pursue an nba career.

 

[MLBash93]

Any NBA team will just assume once they put him on a program they will get him to drop weight. They will all make assumptions on how they can develop him, and at his age his upside is much lower than young kids who are coming out it after their first couple years and international teenagers who already have pro experience.

Another example of you making assumptions and speaking out of your ***.

He is not 23/24 year old sr. He is 21 years old.

 

[The RUT]

Didn’t he also have Jaden Jones being a go to scorer for us as well?

I’m done listening to all these media clowns, they’ve been wrong about RU for years. People that have been watching RU practice have been wrong for years.

I’ll wait until the games and start making judgements on the roster and the quality of the team.

 

[chrebet80]

Another example of you making assumptions and speaking out of your ***.

He is not 23/24 year old sr. He is 21 years old.

He’s 22 and if he waits another year he’ll be 23. That’s ancient for the nba draft.