There was hardly a blink of an eye when Hasheem Thabeet, Ty Lawson and Blake Griffin — for example — announced that they were entering the 2009 NBA Draft.

UCONN Center Hasheem Thabeet hired an agent as is more than ready for the NBA.

But players like Eric Devendorf and Roderick Flemings (Hawaii … I know …) make us scratch our heads and say, “Huh?”

The NBA Draft is a tricky thing. It’s like Forrest Gump and his box o’ chocolates — “You never know what you’re gonna get.”

The following is a list of underclassmen who have decided to “test” out the NBA Draft. Some have hired an agent, others have not.

Photo provided by Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Who’s Testing The NBA Draft?

**It’s always good when minutes are up for grabs, but be careful guys. I picked you guys to be unstoppable.
“‘We always tell recruits, ‘Look at the 2004 team,’” Sellers said. “Six guys on that team got drafted, and that’s because they competed against each other every day. It really, really pushes you, and it makes guys get better because they get pushed.’”

“Rarely could that ever be more evident than this season, when the Huskies will unfurl a team that will be deep and talented at every position. With precious few exceptions, no starting spots are locked up — not even point guard — meaning early-season practices will feature intense competition for playing time.”

**Having a 1 in a 11 shot at landing this so called phenom is more promising than you think.

“Being new to the country, hyped and unknown, and attending the Patterson School in North Carolina will keep him on major teams’ radars; Maryland, for one, has a half-Iranian assistant coach who is in contact with Kazemi. Oklahoma State and Seton Hall offered him early. I always wondered since Iranian Arsalan Kazemi came on the scene, why St. John’s wasn’t all over this guy as well. He’s known to be a hard-working forward, and blew up this summer with smart play and an aggressive style. Sounds like the kind of player Norm Roberts would want.”

** Villanova smart guy math stuff.

**Could all the trouble of getting this prime talent to Storrs backfire (no pun intended).

“It took a long time and quite a bit of convincing to get Nate Miles enrolled at UConn, but it’s only taken about a month for Miles to find trouble.Miles, a freshman, was arrested on Monday night for violating the terms of a restraining order he had received about 15 minutes earlier.”

**5 NCAA tourney appearances in 5 years will earn you STABILITY.

“‘I can’t see how I could leave,” Dixon said. “I don’t see how I could have better people to work for. To me, that’s the most important thing. I’ve been in enough places to know that administration is the reason you have success. I believe that.’”

**It should be about time Syracuse!

“Despite the loss of Greene, the ‘Cuse finally looks poised to put all its talent together and make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
After struggling for two seasons with depth, the Orange will run with its deepest bench since 2006. Injuries to guards Eric Devendorf and Andy Rautins relegated the ‘Cuse to just seven healthy scholarship players, six of which return for the 2008-2009 season. ”

**Basketball season can’t come soon enough for these West Virginia smucks diehards.

**Terrance Williams at Lebron’s Skills Academy.

#13 is Terrance Williams

Video via Card Chronicle (summer skool)

Side note- Louisville does NOT have a “road” game until Big East play starts.

OT

**Friday Sept. 26th’s little debate.

“‘I’ve got a bracelet.” “I’ve got a bracelet too!’” “Are these serious adults running for president, or is this summer camp?”

Post from: EveryJoe

Big East Fast Break

Devendorf, the 2nd leading scorer for the Orange (17 points ppg), was a pre-season member of the Big East All-Conference squad and was the foundation of the Syracuse backcourt.

Devendorf is the second Orange guard to suffer a season-ending knee injury this year. Andy Rautins tore his ACL playing for Team Canada in the FIBA America Championships and is also out for the season.

This injury to Devendorf definitely knocks the Orange down a few pegs in the Big East pecking order.

Post from: EveryJoe

Syracuse G Devendorf tears ACL, out for the year