Random Josh McRoberts question..

[Buzzooka Joe]

Josh McRoberts was the #1 Power Forward coming out of High School in 2005, but he decided to play at Duke instead of entering the draft out of High School..

After a solid Freshman year, he was projected to be a Lottery Pick in the 2006 NBA draft.. but he decided to stay another year at Duke..

Before his Sophmore year, he had back surgery.. he had a decent Sophmore season and went in the early 2nd Round of the 2007 NBA Draft..

I was a big fan of Duke basketball during Josh’s playing days, but I was a teenager that just watched the games and didn’t keep up with off-season stuff..

Why did he not go pro after his Freshman year and get the back surgery after the draft? Did he not think he would pass a NBA physical? It seems like a HUGE risk to turn down a potential Lottery Pick spot, then to have a back procedure.. he could have came back after the surgery and not have been near the same player, and not even got drafted.. Does anyone remember anything about this?

 

[pisgah101]

Josh McRoberts was the #1 Power Forward coming out of High School in 2005, but he decided to play at Duke instead of entering the draft out of High School..

After a solid Freshman year, he was projected to be a Lottery Pick in the 2006 NBA draft.. but he decided to stay another year at Duke..

Before his Sophmore year, he had back surgery.. he had a decent Sophmore season and went in the early 2nd Round of the 2007 NBA Draft..

I was a big fan of Duke basketball during Josh’s playing days, but I was a teenager that just watched the games and didn’t keep up with off-season stuff..

Why did he not go pro after his Freshman year and get the back surgery after the draft? Did he not think he would pass a NBA physical? It seems like a HUGE risk to turn down a potential Lottery Pick spot, then to have a back procedure.. he could have came back after the surgery and not have been near the same player, and not even got drafted.. Does anyone remember anything about this?

Because it wasn't the world of instant gratification that it is now. He wasn't ready and he wasn't ready when he did leave either

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

McRoberts quoted

"I am very excited about my decision to return to Duke to continue my academic and athletic career," said McRoberts. "I love the atmosphere at Duke and the support the university receives from the community. There is no place better to play college basketball. I am looking forward to working with the coaching staff to further develop my skills as a player. The relationships that I have in place here played a major role in my decision. I am anxious to see my bond with Coach K, the rest of the staff and my teammates grow even stronger. Additionally, I am eager to continue to build on several relationships that I have developed in the community through working with our outreach programs."

I think it was the momentum of the moment - Josh developed the last 2 month's of his Freshman season on a 30 win double ACC crown team, into a legit Robin.

Moral was extremely high. McRobert's sophomore season resulted in a 6 seed and 1st Round lose.

 

[dukiejay]

Because it wasn't the world of instant gratification that it is now. He wasn't ready and he wasn't ready when he did leave either

I don’t totally agree with this. The world hasn’t changed ‘that’ much since then. The college basketball realm certainly has, though. It makes zero sense for a Marvin or Wendell to return. That doesn’t mean they love Duke any less than someone who played here four years....it just means they didn’t get the full four-year experience. Besides, Josh’s sophomore season didn’t endear himself to many Duke fans. He’s probably one of the most maligned Duke players this board has ever seen.

I think the best comparison to Josh from this team would be Gary or Trevon. There are reasons why those two should return, but are they outweighed for why they shouldn’t go? Not IMO. Josh became a second-round pick and could have stood to lose a lot. He didn’t, but there are other who have.

 

[pisgah101]

I don’t totally agree with this. The world hasn’t changed ‘that’ much since then. The college basketball realm certainly has, though. It makes zero sense for a Marvin or Wendell to return. That doesn’t mean they love Duke any less than someone who played here four years....it just means they didn’t get the full four-year experience. Besides, Josh’s sophomore season didn’t endear himself to many Duke fans. He’s probably one of the most maligned Duke players this board has ever seen.

I think the best comparison to Josh from this team would be Gary or Trevon. There are reasons why those two should return, but are they outweighed for why they shouldn’t go? Not IMO. Josh became a second-round pick and could have stood to lose a lot. He didn’t, but there are other who have.

I meant college basketball as the world FWIW. Gary and trevon would not be leaving 10 year ago and I really don't think Carter would be either. Most will disagree with that though

 

[sheyduke]

I remember McRoberts sophomore year. He could handle the ball but also don’t think he was ever ready to be in the spot light at the time. Remember his sideline melt down?

He could have benefitted from a third year at Duke especially with strength and conditioning but felt it was his time to move on to the league. He still has a hard time holding his own in the post but is a very skilled ball handler for his size.

 

[BOOGIEMAN1914]

I absolutely loved Josh McRoberts...his soph season, team just wasn't good, but he carried the only stat line in the country

13ppg 8 reb 4 ast 1 stl 3 blk

 

[2004Audi]

the real question is, "where is his mom?"

 

[lyonhawk]

I meant college basketball as the world FWIW. Gary and trevon would not be leaving 10 year ago and I really don't think Carter would be either. Most will disagree with that though

Before the 1 and done era, the only freshmen that would've played college ball at all is maybe Trent. There's no reason to think Bagley, Carter, or Duval wouldn't have gone straight to the league.

 

[pisgah101]

Before the 1 and done era, the only freshmen that would've played college ball at all is maybe Trent. There's no reason to think Bagley, Carter, or Duval wouldn't have gone straight to the league.

Haha wrong buddy

 

[dukiejay]

Haha wrong buddy

I don't think he's totally wrong.

Marvin....for sure doesn't come to college.

Wendell....he might, but certainly not for more than a season. Especially after the kind of season he just had.

Trevon....my guess is he would go to college, but we saw some other guards during that time make bad decisions, too. A decade ago he's most likely a two-year kind of kid.

Gary....I don't think he really would have entertained the NBA out of high school (back then). And I'd probably see him as a two, maybe three-year, guy. Kind of like a Wayne Ellington.

 

[Alaskan_Assassin_21]

Crazy to think Jay Williams stayed 3 years

 

[lyonhawk]

Haha wrong buddy

I guess it depends on how far back you go. If you go back to the pre-Garnett days, sure, they would've all played multiple years in college. If you look at the most recent drafts high school players were allowed to enter, it's unlikely any of our freshmen starters would have played college ball.

 

[dukephysics]

Haha wrong buddy

If I counted correctly, there were 9 and then 8 high school kids drafted the last two years before the one and done system. So I don't think it's safe to say someone is wrong who suggests the numbers 1, 6, and 7 recruits wouldn't have played college ball. (Bags, Duval, Carter, 247Sports rank)
There is no chance Bags plays college ball if he doesn't have to. Carter's mom said he wouldn't have if he didn't have to. And Duval had some academic question marks (I'm guessing the kid doesn't love school).
I think it's a lot safer to assume these 3 wouldn't have played college ball than to assume they would have. All 3 have NBA ready bodies too - so it's not like what they needed most was a year of strength and conditioning.

 

[younggamechanger]

Because he only averaged 9 and 5 his freshman year