Baker to stay at WSU

[Ricardo del Rio]

I don't think a kid projected to be a potential 2nd round pick is just out of the world crazy to consider not returning to college, or am I missing something?

No, you are not missing anything.

[Shock Therapy]

I don't think a kid projected to be a potential 2nd round pick is just out of the world crazy to consider not returning to college, or am I missing something?

There is no guaranteed contract for second round picks, and many of them never see a dime of NBA money. The consensus has always been that you don't leave early if you are projected to go in the second round. It's too much of a crap shoot.

[AndShock]

There are second-round picks that leave early every single year. Baker is more level-headed than most NBA prospects and I think that's what makes this article a "joke" to some people. People aren't laughing at the fact that a 2nd round pick is returning to school, they're laughing that Baker himself is returning to school.

[pogo]

I would bet that the majority of the kids that leave even though they know they aren't a first round pick leave because the academic side of school is really starting to get tougher. And staying eligible is getting dicey. There are only so many intro courses you can take. I doubt that Ron has that problem.

[ShockerMas]

I think one of the biggest problems is that there are only 30 draft pick slots that come with a guaranteed contract (1st rounders), so if agents/NBA execs/family members tell 50 different guys that they are worthy of being picked in the 1st round then those guys could all leave early and 20 of them won't get those guaranteed contracts. Once you add in the international prospects there are just so many potential draftees that some won't make it to the NBA level.

All it really takes is one NBA team "guaranteeing" that they'll take you and some players will be moving on from college as quick as possible, that's just the way a lot of people are. "Following the money" is a huge deal to a lot of these guys whether it's because they grew up in situations where they didn't have much of it, because of financial issues within their family, or because they just don't feel like college is the right place for them and honestly I can't blame them for wanting to leave for these reasons as long as they know the potential consequences of not being drafted.

[shocker3]

I am very glad he is coming back. I look forward to watching him play next season. I really hope he stays 2 more years, but I think we better enjoy next season because I do think there is a realistic chance he could leave after his junior season (he will probably already have his degree).

[Speed]

I'd just like to see a healthy season to see what is possible. He's an incredible winner that will be teamed with what should be the all-time winingest Shocker about Feb. (Cotton). Throw in the MVC's returning MVP & COY & Baker should enjoy the fruits of his JR season.

[Ricardo del Rio]

It's good to get feedback on where you stand. Useful information for future planning.

Is the above statement gentle criticism?

[Capitol Shock II]

Is the above statement gentle criticism?

I think the basketball powers would love to see him leave our program so they don't have to see him, hear about him or play against him anymore. They know that with him WSU is a contender and that's the last thing anyone but WSU wants.

[Jamar Howard 4 President]

I think the basketball powers would love to see him leave our program so they don't have to see him, hear about him or play against him anymore. They know that with him WSU is a contender and that's the last thing anyone but WSU wants.

The basketball powers? Who do you mean by that?

[WSUwatcher]

Is the above statement gentle criticism?

Cdizzle can speak for himself, but it didn't sound like criticism to me. Just his observation, and one with which I agree completely. Baker can see the scouts watching and read about how he's a prospect, so why not check to see what the NBA people actually think? It doesn't mean he's leaving or thinking about it, necessarily; he may just want to know where he stands now, either for information's sake or so he can see how much progress he makes as he goes along. That's perfectly sensible, in my view -- which is exactly what I'd expect of Baker, who seems like a level-headed guy with a good family to guide him.

[im4wsu]

Cdizzle can speak for himself, but it didn't sound like criticism to me. Just his observation, and one with which I agree completely. Baker can see the scouts watching and read about how he's a prospect, so why not check to see what the NBA people actually think? It doesn't mean he's leaving or thinking about it, necessarily; he may just want to know where he stands now, either for information's sake or so he can see how much progress he makes as he goes along. That's perfectly sensible, in my view -- which is exactly what I'd expect of Baker, who seems like a level-headed guy with a good family and good coaches to guide him.

FIFY

[Rosewood]

I saw this on the ticker last night and just laughed. It is pretty awesome though.

[BostonWu]

I wonder if the nba scouts provided him a detailed critique report on strengths and weaknesses.

[WSUwatcher]

Yes, good point and good addition, im4.

And Boston, they call it an evaluation form, so I'll bet there is some content of the type you mentioned, which of course is helpful for players trying to improve regardless of when they plan to go pro.