I almost always advocate that a player should jump to the NBA when they're a hot commodity and can get the clock ticking on a 2nd contract. But in this case, Judah should come back to SU. Not for SU's sake, but his own. He's simply not good enough yet, and most of these guys only get one real chance to make it. Better to take that chance when he's more prepared.
If you go case by case through the years, SU is an interesting case study in early entries.
Starting with Carmelo, here is the list of early entrants:
- 2002-03 - Carmelo Anthony (FR) - 1st Round Pick
- 2007-08 - Donte Greene (FR) - 1st Round Pick
- 2008-09 - Jonny Flynn (SO) - 1st Round Pick
- 2008-09 - Paul Harris (JR) - Undrafted
- 2009-10 - Wes Johnson (JR) - 1st Round Pick
- 2011-12 - Dion Waiters - 1st Round Pick
- 2011-12 - Fab Melo - 1st Round Pick
- 2012-13 - Michael Carter-Williams - 1st Round Pick
- 2013-14 - Tyler Ennis - 1st Round Pick
- 2013-14 - Jerami Grant - 2nd Round Pick
- 2014-15 - Chris McCullough - 1st Round Pick
- 2015-16 - Malachi Richardson - 1st Round Pick
- 2016-17 - Tyler Lydon - 1st Round Pick
- 2018-19 - Tyus Battle - Undrafted
- 2018-19 - Oshae Brissett - Undrafted
- 2019-20 - Elijah Hughes - 2nd Round Pick
- 2020-21 - Alan Griffin - Undrafted
Jerami Grant was the first guy from SU that left early and wasn't drafted in the 1st round. (Can't speak to prior to 'Melo but I believe this is true.) There was a lot of discussion about his leaving early on whatever forum we were on at the time. I know I wasn't for it, nor was I for Ennis'... however I get his situation more, given his athletic limitations and striking while the iron was hot for him.
After that, the talent level following Lydon/Richardson dropped drastically. The four that left early (really 3, if you don't include Griffin since he was a transfer and may or may not have been pushed out) were borderline NBA guys. Brissett has made his way to the league, while Hughes has played 54 games in the league but is now in the G-League. Tyus has been overseas for the duration.
Don't know if any of them would have benefited from staying one more year. I think Grant probably gets into the first round if he does. Brissett I thought had a chance the following year too.
Going to be interesting to see what happens.