Draft Hopefuls: Remember History

A word of caution to all who attempt to enter the NBA Draft early: Remember these names – Cedric Simmons and Joseph Forte. Both left early, and all three have had mixed results.

Forte was a first-round pick, going 21st to the Celtics in 2001. But his NBA career lasted a grand total of 25 games. His scoring average? 1.2 points per game. Since then he’s gone from the D-League to Greece to Italy to Russia…

Simmons went even higher in the first round – 15th to the Hornets in 2006. So far, he has logged 57 NBA games over two seasons, but he’s now on his third team. Last season he averaged 0.6 points per game and his career average is 2.2.

But at least these players went in the first round. Josh Powell tested the waters, and had to wait a while before he could swim. He went undrafted.

I mention this not to argue against any of our local players testing the NBA waters. If the NBA’s willing to pay you big money, I have no problems with you taking it.

And as for the “they should stay in school and get a degree” argument, what entry-level job will that degree land that can pay like the NBA? If ESPN (or any of a number of TV stations, for that matter) had offered me a fraction of the NBA’s salaries when I was in college. I’m fairly sure I’d have left without telling anyone good-bye.

But declaring for the NBA Draft can be risky business for an underclassman. Forte and Simmons were tremendous at times in college, yet Forte’s NBA career appears to have ended and the clock is ticking on Simmons.

Of course, staying in school doesn’t guarantee a player will flourish in the NBA either. Just look at JJ Redick. The ACC’s all-time leading scorer has averaged 5.2 points in parts of two NBA seasons. And his Class of 2006 teammate Shelden Williams is now with his second team after scoring 4.4 points per game.