Big Sky Player of the Year Dillon Jones is declaring for the 2024 NBA draft and is expected to sign with the Roc Nation agency, according to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman (Twitter link).
The 6’6” Jones averaged 20.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists for Weber State. He’s a potential first-round pick — Jones is currently listed as No. 32 overall and No. 9 among small forwards on ESPN’s Best Available list.
We have more news from around the basketball world:
- With the new CBA stipulating that players must appear in 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards, there could be numerous newcomers to the All-NBA teams. HoopsHype’s Frank Urbina lists several players who could be first-time All-NBA honorees, including Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards and Zion Williamson.
- Bradley Beal tops Keith Smith’s list at Spotrac of the worst value contracts in the league, opining the Suns wing isn’t worth an average annual value of over $50MM per season, considering his production level and injury issues. Jordan Poole and Zach LaVine also rank high on Smith’s top 10 list.
- Following a contest against the Lakers in which the last two minutes took 20 minutes in real time due to clock malfunctions and replay reviews, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said replays are destroying the rhythm of the game. “I’m not a fan of replay. I think we should have replay just for the buzzer beaters,” he said, per Sportskeeda. “The whole goal with replay is to try to get everything right. There’s 100 plays at each end every night that are subjective. It’s not a game. It’s not tennis. It’s not a Hawk-Eye on whether it’s in or out. There’s all kinds of subjective stuff. We’re never going to get everything right. But I think the flow of the game is way more important.”
- Being a former NBA star isn’t enough to attract top recruits and transfers when it comes to Division I coaching. In recent weeks, Michigan fired Juwan Howard and Vanderbilt parted ways with Jerry Stackhouse. NIL and the transfer portal have completed altered the college landscape, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe notes. “Used to be where you could go, you make all the calls, you go show kids as much interest as you can, do all those type things,” Stackhouse said. “Now you’ve got to reach out to their agents. You know what I’m saying? That’s where it is in order to really get in the door.”
These kids don’t care about learning or veteran leadership. They know everything. Drills, fundamentals, plays, defense, dribbling, everything. I can run and shoot isn’t that enough? I grew up watching LeBron and Wade, I know everything about basketball then. Worst time to be a basketball fan
Honestly, the kids have no idea who they are, or what they have done. You would be amazed at how many players the kids have NEVER heard of. They know Jordan, Kobe, Iverson, Shaq and LeBron. Kids don’t watch the games. That hasn’t happened since Kobe was in high school.
The kids “know everything” only because if they any ounce of talent, and have size, there will be no shortage of adults treating him as if he was the King of England.
The kids are now able to get paid. Whole different animal at work in college athletics. The next phase to all of this will be the Big 10 and SEC leaving the NCAA altogether. That is what is next. This is why Florida State and Clemson are in panic mode trying to get out of the ACC. Basketball means nothing here!! Just ask Duke, North Carolina, Arizona, Kansas and Connecticut.
It was just a matter of time before they got to Stacks.
Absolutely no reason to pay college head coach big dollars $$$$ …. It doesn’t matter who you are, or what you have done in the game. Most $$$$ wins. Just hire a solid X’s and O’s guy and play it out. Cinderella Mid-Major makes an NCAA run with all juniors??? Don’t matter …. They will ALL be wearing different jerseys next year. Some years you will get good players out of the Portal. Other years, you will not. Developing talent no longer exists in college basketball at any level. Everybody is essentially playing for an NIL contract. Everybody with eligibility is a “free agent” at the end of the year. If you recruit a “hidden talent”, and he plays well. He will likely leave for a better NIL offer from a school that may be desperate. It is what it is now. Talent has never been worse. Ever! …. And now they are finally getting paid ….
Huh? Larry Bird would disagree with you on the talent level issue. But, you obviously know more them him.
You want to stop “NIL Contracts”. Don’t watch any games. The more people that stop watching then; the less popular they are. The money will disappear.
Bird was 40 years ago…
People bet on sports so it isn’t like viewership matters. I never watch a regular season college game, but March Madness opening week has always been a top sporting event to me. It is amazing watching from morning to night.
Bird can look at the level of play and analyze it.
Not against NIL at all. Players should be paid. But understand, with being paid, things change. Loyalty to a program no longer exists. They are pro’s …. The $$$$ is what is most important.
Talent level has never been worse. You cannot compensate for lack of talent by developing players. The players that get better …. Leave for more money $$$$ ….. This is what the game is. This is what Professional athletes do. You can’t even build chemistry on your roster. Why? You pretty much have to replace most of the roster every year. Back in the Portal recruiting.
Southern Illinois fired Bryan Mullins as head coach. SIU had a pretty decent season. However, Lance Jones (Purdue) and Domansk (Illinois) their two best players transferred. Instead of getting promoted…. Fired!
As somebody who has actually stood next to Larry Bird, and evaluated the draft class that featured Shaun Livingston, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, J.R. Smith, etc next to him ….. I can tell you that he absolutely agrees that the talent level has NEVER been worse.
So, you are telling me that you are one of people that pushed the “one-and-done” philosophy? Push the kids into the draft before they have a chance to develop their skills. So, you created the very thing you are complaining about.
“Now you’ve got to reach out to their agents. You know what I’m saying? That’s where it is in order to really get in the door.”
So almost exactly like the NBA and most pro sports leagues. Shocking.
Chris Jans of Mississippi State is the type of guy you hire in college basketball right now, and just call it a day. Jans is terrific with X’s and O’s. Teams play basketball with a focus on defensive intensity. He just recruits athletes who fill roles. He isn’t worried about recruiting All-Americans, and doesn’t even try …. Just athletes who fit his system. He will consistently get to the Tournament, and some years you will make a run.
Get off the high horse. Kids want to improve their situation. Don’t act like some of you grew up so privileged. Maybe y’all had it good too long you forgot. Many have to survive and if given the opportunity to make money while in college you all would also take the NIL. Colleges have made millions off of athletes, finally it’s on an even keel now.
Nobody is complaining about NIL …. It is only pointing out the fact that they are now officially professional athletes. No loyalty to the school. Just like an NBA player, you go to where you get paid the most. That dynamic changes how games are won. Coaches are paid to win games. Having a “star” assistant coach who is a great recruiter means nothing anymore. It is a straight negotiation. Many players even have more than 1 agent. 1 agent for your “playing career” and 1 agent who handles your NIL. Some NIL agents are very specific. Some only work with quarterbacks. Your success as a program is now primarily determined by your recruiting success in the Portal.
Many of the NIL deals are incentive based. You get $100k if you are a starter, but it bumps down to $50k if you are not. …. If you don’t produce …. You won’t be back, or at least at the same price. It’s a two-way street.
Obviously those who are good enough get paid. Those with superior talent that start or are even elite sixth men will be paid more. Especially those that have a bigger following.
Replays would be fine so long as an actual time limit would be adhered to, such as 2 mins. The whole obsession with getting every single reviewed call correct is stupid, especially since we all know that doesn’t always turn out to be the case even with all the time in the world. Better to keep the reviews short and accept a 95% success rate.
At least Zach Lavine finally made a Top 10 list…