Will someone explain Dion not coming back next year?

[OttoMets]

Yeah, I was wondering about that as well, and, if the case, why SU/administration wouldn't demand better/more...a current disconnect for me.

In my opinion, he should stay and get better. To date, he hasn't proven a thing at the college level, no tract record of being a go to guy, coming through in the clutch, etc. He certainly isn't a consistent outside shooter either. But, as others have said, the NBA drafts on potential. Hopefully, if he does leave, he fares much better than some of our recent early declarees...

Agree on most of this, specifically the first line. How in the world can Boeheim allow a player to have quit going to school? I know he's been doing this for years, but this could really hurt the program with the new requirements for APR.

All the folks who think that Boeheim is above any criticism might not agree, but his handling of the players and their responsibilities is disappointing.

As for Dion, best of luck to him. All the strength, speed, and athleticism in the world aren't worth as much when you're not a great shooter or decision-maker. If the past five games are not just an ugly aberration, he could well be playing himself out of the first round.

 

[bpo57]

According to a couple students, he's not really going to classes this semester. So if he isn't planning to go pro, he may want to rethink that strategy (if true).

That's one of the reasons we lost a couple of scholarships two years ago when Flynn, Harris and Devendorf stopped going to class and dropped out. That would be bad for our APR and could, under a worst case scenario (others besides Waiters), lead to ineligibility (in the future) for the NCAA tournament if the APR were to fall below 930.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

My question would be this:
What is the difference, financially, between:
1. Leaving after this NCAA season, as a "college bench player, averaging 15ppg, but with NBA potential" and being drafted at the end of the first round/beginning of the second round; versus
2. Starting next year, on a top 10 team, leading SU in scoring, and being drafted in the top 10?

I completely understand that some kids just aren't on college teams because they want to be students. From the above comments, this seems to be the case. But, Dion really needs another year with us. For his game, and for his maturation and development process. Of course, if he's already disconnected with the 'college experience,' another year may not bring that type of personal growth. And, of course, for a 20-year old, the amount of money a first-rounder makes, versus a second-rounder might not be a practical consideration. To them, it's all 'big money' and the kid may not want to put the academic work in. To an adult, "it's just one more year." But to a student, that's a long time. If i knew then what i know now, i would not have been so resistant to the idea of grad school. Back then, though, two more years was a big, big whoop.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Agree on most of this, specifically the first line. How in the world can Boeheim allow a player to have quit going to school? I know he's been doing this for years, but this could really hurt the program with the new requirements for APR.

All the folks who think that Boeheim is above any criticism might not agree, but his handling of the players and their responsibilities is disappointing.

Agreed. One would hope a coach, supposedly committed to academics, at least to some degree, would require good academic standing toward getting playing time. If he knows players aren't going to class, and it doesn't impact them on the court, that's uncool. If he doesn't know what's going on, well, that's another Bernie-ish blight on the Boeheim record.

 

[Cusedan25]

How can we say Dion isn't going to class? The semester just started. I'm not sure why everyone assumes Dion isn't interested in going to classes or has problems with grades at all. We have no reason to believe any of that, unlike Fab.

Dion should stay because he's not a complete player. At the NBA level, right now, I think Dion would be an excellent defender & player in transition. He can't shoot too well, & with that form it won't get much better. He's a good size PG in the NBA, smallish shooting gaurd. I believe he has PG type skills, but it doesn't seem like likes passing the ball too much. He might be mid-to late first rounder in the draft this year, but i'm guessing he struggles at the next level, at least for a while.

 

[Col. Bleep]

That's one of the reasons we lost a couple of scholarships two years ago when Flynn, Harris and Devendorf stopped going to class and dropped out. That would be bad for our APR and could, under a worst case scenario (others besides Waiters), lead to ineligibility (in the future) for the NCAA tournament if the APR were to fall below 930.

Someone should post those 3 names over Dion Waiters' locker.

There's little doubt he has NBA skills.
But he is far from having NBA decision-making ability.
That can only come from more experience.

Meanwhile...whatever happened to courses such as "The Physics of Toys" for athletes?
I even took that one.

 

[SkanSU]

Question: Is it an assumption that DW has stopped going to classes? Classes, for all practical purposes, have just started for the semester... correct? And if he wasn't attending classes in the fall semester wouldn't he be in the same situation that Fab is in ... so I assume that not only was he attending classes in the Fall but also getting passable grades. Further, from what has been reported about Mama Waiters I think that she would be all over him like flies on if he were to start screwing up on classes ... that and his Aunt (the graduate in Chemical engineering from Drexel) wouldn't be all that happy with that behavior either. DW is cocky ... for sure ... but I think that he is also very bright. And I do believe that JB would be on his case big time.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

DW is cocky ... for sure ... but I think that he is also very bright.

What makes you think that? Just wondering where you draw that from. Have you spoken to him?

 

[IthacaBarrel]

I think the kid is gone for better or for worse

 

[MikeSU02]

I think the kid is gone for better or for worse

That sums it up. I think Dion can do well in the right situation, but he's not a guy you can just draft and he'll fit any situation.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

I cant blame Dion for leaving. You want to go when they are still drafting you on potential...not when you give them too much tape to see all your flaws exposed (like KJO has).

 

[OttoMets]

I cant blame Dion for leaving. You want to go when they are still drafting you on potential...not when you give them too much tape to see all your flaws exposed (like KJO has).

If that's the case, he should've left after the Villanova game. The past couple weeks have offered enough tape to expose his flaws.

 

[orangecuse]

I cant blame Dion for leaving. You want to go when they are still drafting you on potential...not when you give them too much tape to see all your flaws exposed (like KJO has).

Well, KJ will have his degree in hand. As was posted earlier, someone should place the names of all our recent early declarees on his locker...they're not quite burning it up in the NBA.