Another huge mistake. Aaron McGhee and Chris Wilcox, fairly physical power forwards on the college level, totally took Jeffries out of his game in the NCAA tournament, and made him almost ineffective down low. Jared can be great with more strength, but he'll probably sit on the bench for 2-3 years in the NBA developing that strength, instead of devloping it on the college level and contending for national titles. http://espn.go.com/ncb/news/2002/0403/1362903.html BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana forward Jared Jeffries will announce Monday his intention to enter the NBA draft, a source told ESPN's Dick Vitale. Jeffries, who just finished his sophomore season, was held in single figures in both the national championship and semifinals games. The Big Ten's player of the year is expected to be drafted -- possibly as a lottery pick -- but some have expressed concerns about his strength. Earlier last week, Jeffries said he would make his announcement one way or the other on Monday, adding at the time: "I'm not leaning either way right now. I'll talk to the NBA people, I'll talk to people who I trust. We'll have to get an idea of a couple of things." The 6-foot-10 Jeffries has demonstrated he can post up like a big man and handle the ball like a guard. He also considered entering the NBA draft last season. If Jeffries does leave, he would become the second Hoosier in two years to declare early for the NBA draft. Kirk Haston left last year after his junior season and was chosen 16th by the Charlotte Hornets. Jeffries said playing time would not be the issue. "I feel I've played well enough this season to have a chance to be a lottery pick," he said. "I'm not sure if that's good enough for me yet." Jeffries led the Hoosiers this season with averages of 15 points and seven rebounds but had some up-and-down games. He struggled for the last month of the regular season with a sprained right ankle, but scored 24 points and had 15 rebounds in the Hoosiers' 74-73 upset of top-ranked Duke. In the NCAA championship game against Maryland, however, Jeffries managed just eight points and seven rebounds. Hoosiers fans are hoping that Jeffries will take his final game of the season as a cue that he's not yet ready to make the jump. "I have to get stronger, I don't question that," Jeffries said. "I have to learn more about basketball. But I have the opportunity to do that in college or in the NBA. I have to decide what I want to do."
No way it's a mistake. He is a sure-fire first round pick. Probably a lottery pick. The main thing he needs to work on is strength and he could do that just as well in the pros as he could in college, but in the pros he'll get paid millions.
If you look at it that way, I suppose not. However, with Jeffries' talents, he's likely to be a top 10 pick in whatever season he comes out. If he would just wait one more year (not even two), he could develop his strength against lesser competition and gain much needed experience. It's difficult enough to adjust from the physical nature of the college game to bruising NBA forwards. However, when you have to totally redefine your body sculpture and style on top of that, it's probably going to take two, if not three years to be ready to play competitively on the next level. If he stayed one more year in college and not only bulked up but learned how to play with that extra bulk and use his body on the low block, he could contribute immediately. IMO, he's going to end up making millions, whether it's this year or next. I just don't agree with him choosing to sit on the bench and watch instead of playing in big games.
I can't blame Jeffries for leaving, since some foolish team will draft him Top 10. As you can see, I'm not a big fan of his.
great move, it pushes more talent to our Toronto pick. He's making the right decision for himself. He got to experience a Championship game, which is pretty cool, and they were one win away from a title with a team that lacked a lot of talent. Getting back there would not be easy, and outside of that, what other college obstacles were left for him? He would have spent the rest of his time making his game NBA-ready. Becoming a lottery pick, getting paid millions to become a good NBA player > spending another year in college getting prepared for the NBA. He's not ready to be a consistent contributor by any means, but his draft stock will be top 10 for sure IMO and he has his coach's blessing. If Jeffries plays SF, he shouldn't need to seriously beef up. I'd be more worried about his foot speed there.
Yeah, I heard about this last night. I really hope he changes his mind. He'll probably be a solid pro, but he could really use another year to work on his strength and conditioning (he's really in need of some quickness drills).
Bad for JJ. Good for us. Muddling of the lottery waters. The more players who declare the better. True, JJ could use another year of seasoning. But, as always, it's that reasoning of "gotta strike while the iron's hot; I could blow out a knee in college and lose millions." Tell you the truth, I don't blame him for coming out.
Hoosier Daddy. I think if you are going to build size you can do it faster in the NBA. In college you don't have the time. It just wears on you to play, go to class, and workout. In the pros you just have more time. He's already proven he can score. He showed he can jump with the best. It's really a matter of size right now. Some of that is genetics. I think he's ready.
BRISTOL, Conn. (Ticker) - Indiana forward Jared Jeffries, who helped the Hoosiers advance to the Final Four, apparently will enter the NBA draft. ESPN is reporting that Jeffries, the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, will bypass his final two collegiate seasons. Jeffries led the Hoosiers with averages of 15 points and seven rebounds. While he struggled the last month of the regular season with a sprained right ankle, Jeffries had 24 points and 15 rebounds in the Hoosiers' 74-73 upset of top-ranked Duke in the regional semifinals. The 6-10 Jeffries was limited to eight points and seven rebounds in the NCAA championship game against Maryland. The Hoosiers would be losing an underclassman to the NBA for the second straight season. Kirk Hanson left last year and was chosen 16th by the Charlotte Hornets.
He probably isn't ready to produce right away as a rookie, but again then name one underclassmen besides jwill that is. Of course, as a college basketball fan i would like him to stay, but it might not the best decision for him. If he enters now, he'll get millions to do the same thing he would do in college for free. And who really can say he'll mature faster if he stays in college? Did it stunt rashard lewis' development? how about j. o'neal? At the very least, he's set, money wise, for life now. And from a rocket's fan's view, just more talent in the draft now.
I had to check the ignore list to make sure I wasn't ignoring myself. Damn, I'm vainer than I thought. Back on topic, I think the other JJ has learned as much as he can at Indiana besides classwork. On a basketball level, I think its a good move.
He needs another year to get better and put it all together,I think he is talented but inconsistant.I hope the Rockets won't end up drafting him because we need a better player,however I wish JJ good luck,he seems like a nice guy.
Anybody think this might have something to do with the new rules the NCAA are talking about for underclassmen coming back to college? I heard someone mention them and suggest that if they are put into place, the NBA will be much more likely to shy away from underclassmen because of the uncertainty around them. If that is the case and that is a legitimate possibility, you may see a lot of freshman and sophomores who probably should stay come out. Besides, with Jeffries, does anyone know his family situation? Do they need the money now? And didn't he come to IU to play for Bobby Knight? Maybe he had resigned himself to stay until his first legitimate NBA shot then go rather than transfer to another school and lose a year. Lots of reasons a player like Jeffries might be coming out. But if you are top ten guy, which is where JJ is being talked, there are few reasons not to come out early.
I agree 100%. However, the Rockets don't need another tall, frail shooter. We need a tall, strong stuffer with range and defensive talent.
