LC
Years ago
After going undrafted in yesterday's NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets have signed Aussies Isaac Humphries and Mangok Mathiang to NBA Summer League deals, respectively.
Humphries and Mathiang agree to NBA Summer League deals
SteveK2
Years ago
Well the dream is still alive for these two but its about to get a whole lot tougher to get in. They'll have to be perfect on both ends of the floor and somehow convince their teammates to let them in on the action.
They'll run with and against stronger, more experienced players who tend to be more selfish and maybe look after their own mates. Anyways good luck to both of them, shouldn't have listened to the wrong crowd and declared for the draft when they're not ready.
SteveK2
Years ago
Yeah I'm aware Mangok graduated LC. Sadly his age isn't draft friendly. Maybe unconventional but no max age limit to declare for draft AFAIK. Might have tried going prof for a year or two and declare as a 'pensioner' during a weaker draft year later as an oddity. Might have given him a bit more publicity.
twenty four
Years ago
"no max age limit to declare for draft AFAIK."
There is.
SteveK2
Years ago
There is a minimum age limit which is 19 and currently debated to be raised to 20 or 21 to discourage one and done. There is however no mention anywhere publicly of a maximum age limit. Plenty of discussions/questions on max age but I haven't seen any official statement on it yet.
twenty four
Years ago
"There is however no mention anywhere publicly of a maximum age limit."
Yes, there is. In fact, there's even a term for it: 'automatic eligibility'. Mathiang was 'automatically eligible' this year as he had finished his four years of college ball, so was in this draft whether he liked it or not.
SteveK2
Years ago
is automatically eligible the same as automatically entered? There is a process for early entrants to withdraw but is there a similar process for automatically eligible entrants to withdraw, play somewhere else and re-declare later?
"is there a similar process for automatically eligible entrants to withdraw, play somewhere else and re-declare later?"
No.
Wookiee
Years ago
Just as a bored discussion topic, would this be a better example of players in Mathiang's position leaving college a year early to take a similar path to Bolden in going pro for that final season before automatic eligibility and improving draft stock?
In a better position than coming straight out of high school like someone like T-Ferg and not really being able to match up physically that well, as while T-Ferg was drafted mostly on potential, one of the positives of his time in the NBL is that he had a full season competing against men instead of college kids?
Hopefully Humphries gets some experience, gets a gig other than d-league where he can develop and gets another invite next year. Maybe Joey can convince him a stop in Adelaide might help.
But really a shame with all that potential he went to Kentucky. Imo could have had a good couple of years at another school where he could have gotten minutes which he needed and bolstered his stock like a Baynes and Bairstow.
Zodiac
Years ago
Just as a bored discussion topic, would this be a better example of players in Mathiang's position leaving college a year early to take a similar path to Bolden in going pro for that final season before automatic eligibility and improving draft stock?
The challenge for a kid like Mathiang turning pro overseas to boost NBA draft stock is that he has to be productive right away. I just don't think it would have made much difference for him.
Bolden's situation was different to start with, because of the ineligibility at UCLA and being younger. It's not hard to understand why he wanted to move on. If his sense was that UCLA wasn't working because of the training limitations, good decision. I think it's also fair to ask whether playing with Lonzo Ball would have made him look even better and gotten him into the first round. How do you know?
Wookiee
Years ago
Yeah, too many hypotheticals I guess... I'd be keen to see college kids maybe do that with the NBL though, either local or import, especially with the 3 import rule... Would rather a young exciting prospect and start to get the reputation as a league where kids can come and grow and showcase their talents instead of say having a SEABL level import that wouldn't get much playing time anyways...
Hopefully Humphries gets some experience, gets a gig other than d-league where he can develop and gets another invite next year. Maybe Joey can convince him a stop in Adelaide might help.
Names to watch..
Aus
Humphries Washington
Mathiang charlotte
Maker Milwaukee
Exum Utah
Sobey Utah
Creek Utah
Nzl
Webster Dallas
Webster charlotte
Aus ties
Ferguson Oklahoma
Prather Cleveland
Craig Denver
Ellis Minnesota
Rahon golden state
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