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The most popular one and done player in Syracuse history dates back a decade to 2003 when Carmelo Anthony played a single season for the Orange, led them to the championship, and then left for the NBA Draft.
There are two rules that make a player eligible for the draft. The player must be at least 19 years old, he may not go directly from his senior year of high school to the NBA. For those with pro talent in high school, most play at least a year in college to strengthen the skills and improve their stock.
But should players be able to go directly to the NBA without the year in college? Dion Waiters is an example of an SU player who may have tested their pro stock directly from high school. Although talent-wise he may have been ready, the benefit of the two years in Syracuse was the mental maturity. For players who need to develop mentally and to polish their skills, college is the way to go.
Michael Carter-Williams may have been tempted to leave for the league after just one year on the Hill. He was obviously frustrated by his lack of playing time. But by staying two years at SU, he has undoubtedly improved his draft stock. This year‚Äôs lottery will take place¬†on Tuesday, so let‚Äôs take a look at where the one-year college players and where they’re projected to go.
NBADraft.net
Ben McLemore, Kansas, 1st overall to Orlando
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, 2nd overall to Charlotte
Anthony Bennett, UNLV, 6th overall to Sacramento
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, 10th overall to Portland
MCW, Syracuse, 13th overall to Dallas
Steven Adams, Pittsburgh, 28th overall to San Antonio
Archie Goodwin, Kentucky, 37th overall to Washington
Ricardo Ledo, Providence, 60th overall to Memphis
CBS Sports
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, 1st overall to Orlando
Ben McLemore, Kansas, 2nd overall to Charlotte
Anthony Bennett, UNLV, 3rd overall to Cleveland
MCW, Syracuse, 6th overall to Sacramento
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, 10th overall to Portland
Draft Express
Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, 1st overall to Orlando
Ben McLemore, Kansas, 2nd overall to Charlotte
Anthony Bennett, UNLV, 3rd overall to Cleveland
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA, 10th overall to Portland
Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse, 12th overall to Oklahoma City (from Toronto)
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If MCW does go to Dallas, he will be sitting behind Darren Collison who is only 26 years old. He in the prime of his career and after a decent 12 points per game season for the Mavericks, he may be the future point guard.
If Carter-Williams goes to Sacramento, he would be possibly the third string point guard behind Isaiah Thomas and Jimmer Fredette. Thomas is a quick, 24-year-old point guard from Washington who averaged just under 14 points per game for the Kings. Jimmer is a deep shooter from BYU, and MCW would have to once again wait his turn and scrap for minutes.
Oklahoma City has one of the best PG’s in the league in Russell Westbrook, a young, established team. That could be good for MCW, but he would be sitting behind Westbrook and Reggie Jackson. This would actually be a nice destination for Carter-Williams because he has the chance to learn from an established point guard like Westbrook. MCW‚Äôs best attributes are his height, length and long arms at the position.
No matter the destination, MCW definitely was helped by playing two years of college ball on the Hill. He raised his profile with the Final Four run, and learned how to begin polishing his game, while developing maturity as well.
Posted: Austin Pollack
