Well, they didn’t.

Walker’s decision wasn’t a big surprise, but Gordon’s was. But even more surprising was the college departures of George Hill and Luc Richard Mbah A Moute and the withdrawing of Ty Lawson, Chase Budinger and the nearly 24 year old Lester Hudson.

The league will have an official list out later on Tuesday.

Below is a list of the guys who were undecided going into Monday, per ESPN.

Staying In Draft
Player School
Joe Alexander, Jr. WVU

Ryan Anderson, So. Cal
Mario Chalmers, Jr. Kansas

Jamont Gordon, Jr. Mississippi St.
Richard Hendrix, Jr. Alabama

J.J. Hickson, Fr. NC State
George Hill, Jr. IUPUI

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Jr. UCLA
Marreese Speights, So. Florida

Bill Walker, RS Fr. Kansas St.

Returning To School
Player School
A.J. Abrams, Jr. Texas

Josh Akognon, Jr. Cal St.-Fullerton
Chase Budinger, So. Arizona

Lee Cummard, Jr. BYU
Robert Dozier, Jr. Memphis

Wayne Ellington, So. UNC
Danny Green, Jr. UNC

Lester Hudson, Jr. Tennessee-Martin
Ty Lawson, So. UNC

Jeremy Pargo, Jr. Gonzaga
Ronald Steele, RS Sr. Alabama

Robert Vaden, Jr. UAB

source

Lester Hudson, a guard from Tennessee-Martin, could not ask for any better of a draft stock than he has now, yet he still withdrew from the draft. He more than likely didn’t feel confident in the feedback he received from the teams, so his decision is probably a wise one, except for the fact that by this time next year he will be almost 25 years old. A bit old for a rookie point guard? 1st round pick… no. But 2nd round pick… yes. I would have liked to see him go. How much more can you prove by dominating Ohio Valley Conference competition again?

One of the smartest decisions was made by Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo. The player has a future in the league, but just didn’t fit well in this year’s draft. He needs to improve his ball handling and decision making skills to really reap the benefits of coming back to a very dangerous Gonzaga team. I see him being a mid to late 1st round pick next year.

I don’t believe Hill will be drafted, nor do I believe Moute will be drafted. Unless of course, both have verbal 2nd round guarantees. Could be the case, but things change. Don’t count on anything in the NBA, well, except for questionable refereeing.

Questions, comments and beefs are always appreciated.

And please take a second to vote on the poll question seen on the right hand side of the page regarding who will be the best 08/09 freshman.

Post from: EveryJoe

Surprise Surprise

DECISION TIME

A.J. Abrams, Texas
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: The 5-10 shooting guard shocked everyone – including the Texas coaching staff – when he entered the draft. It would be an even bigger shock if he gets drafted.

Joe Alexander, West Virginia
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: Nobody may have seen his stock rise more since early March. Alexander averaged 23.8 points over his last nine games, then excelled in the combine portion of the pre-draft camp. He is projected as a late lottery pick.

Josh Akognon, Cal-State Fullerton
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: At best, this 5-11 guard has an outside chance at being a second-round pick. He was not invited to the pre-draft camp.

Ryan Anderson, California
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: Anderson is looking for a first-round guarantee. If the forward doesn’t get it, new Cal coach Mike Montgomery may have the best player in the Pac-10 next season.

Chase Budinger, Arizona
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: It’s tough to envision any scenario where Budinger slips out of the first round — which likely means he’s staying in the draft. His other option is to return to a program whose coaching staff seems to be in constant limbo.

Mario Chalmers, Kansas
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: After a recent workout with the Denver Nuggets, Chalmers told reporters he has no intention of staying in school. He probably will be taken between the 20th and 40th picks.

Lee Cummard, BYU
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Four NBA teams are bringing in Cummard for workouts, but he didn’t receive an invitation to the pre-draft camp. Unless the swingman plays extraordinarily well at those workouts, he’ll be suiting up for the Cougars next season.

Robert Dozier, Memphis
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Dozier has been criss-crossing the country working out for teams, but Memphis coach John Calipari expects the big man to pull out of the draft. He would be fortunate to be selected in the second round.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Memphis
STATUS: A lock to stay in
THE BUZZ: Signing with an agent is a mere formality for CDR. He has made it clear his college career is over. He is expected to be taken between the 20th and 30th picks.

Wayne Ellington, North Carolina
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Ellington looked great at times at the pre-draft camp — but he also looked terrible at times, too. He is a second-round pick at best.

Jamont Gordon, Mississippi State
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: Gordon, who has been busy on the workout circuit, is committed to staying in the draft even though it’s a deep class for point guards and he probably won’t be taken until the second round.

Danny Green, North Carolina
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Racked up multiple injuries at the pre-draft camp. He’s hoping to get a second-round guarantee, but that is a long shot.

Richard Hendrix, Alabama
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: He put together a solid performance at the pre-draft camp, but remains a borderline first-round pick at best.

J.J. Hickson, N.C. State
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: Needs to impress in workouts to lock up a spot in the first round. Otherwise, draft day will be a nerve-wracking experience
.
George Hill, IUPUI
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Played well at pre-draft camp, but with so many point guards available, he likely would go undrafted.

Lester Hudson, Tennessee-Martin
STATUS: On the fence
THE BUZZ: A lot of teams are showing interest, but this small-school star measured a shade under 6 feet (5-11 3/4). That’s a big concern, especially when you’re not a true point guard.

Ty Lawson, North Carolina
STATUS: Likely to stay in
THE BUZZ: Remains a probable first-round pick despite a recent arrest for driving after drinking alcohol. The Denver Nuggets may take Lawson with the 20th pick.

Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Showed he could score at the pre-draft camp but had problems taking care of the ball. He would be better-served by using his senior year to sharpen his skills.

Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, UCLA
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Not returning to school would be a big mistake. He has little chance of being drafted.

Ronald Steele, Alabama
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Had a so-so performance at pre-draft camp. Questions remain about whether Steele can regain the quickness he had two years ago. If he stays in the draft, he can do no better than a second-round pick.

Robert Vaden, UAB
STATUS: Should head back to campus
THE BUZZ: Vaden was at the pre-draft camp and has been working out for teams, but he’d be risking going undrafted if he doesn’t pull out.

Bill Walker, Kansas State
STATUS: Likely will stay in
THE BUZZ: Walker, who elected not to go to the pre-draft camp, is banking on impressing scouts at workouts. He is projected as a borderline first-rounder.

source

First I’m somewhat surprised at the Luc Richard Mbah A Moute buzz.

Could have sworn he was listed as a first round pick in at least 3 different mock drafts I looked at.

Of course I’m not exactly sure how informed those particular sites are (can’t remember which sites either), not to say somebody can’t ever be right who is uninformed, but usually … well it goes without saying.

It’s like those NBA trade proposals certain fans make up that are so one-sided that it just leaves you saying,

“The other team(s) would not do that!”

You know, those kinds of people.

Having internet access doesn’t mean you’re qualified at putting together a mock draft.

Just be careful what mock drafts you look at.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mock Drafts are just that, Mock

The latest two to declare: Memphis junior guard Chris Douglas-Roberts and UCLA forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.

CDR led Memphis in scoring at 18.1 points per game and made a name for himself during the Tigers run through the NCAA tournament. At 6′7″, Douglas-Roberts could easily play the 3 in the NBA. He can shoot from the outside and has a pretty decent post-up game.

Mbah a Moute is hoping to get drafted on his defensive abilities alone, which is pretty scary. He only averaged 8.8 points and 6 rebounds this year for the Bruins, who may get Mbah a Moute back as he is not going to hire an agent.

Post from: EveryJoe

Let the underclassmen exodus to the NBA begin, Part II

Howland led the Bruins to a 30-6 record (15-3 in the Pac-10) last season, and he brings back a squad that many basketball analysts have pegged as the odds-on favorite to win the title this season. Guards Darren Collison, Josh Shipp, forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and center Kevin Love definitely have the talent to take UCLA to the promised land and give Howland his first championship ring.

Post from: EveryJoe

Bruins coach Howland inks 7-year deal