Ron Baker, NBA Prospect

[1972Shocker]

Lol. Exactly, that's why all this talk about baker graduating is a bit unwarranted. Nba, maybe. But, graduating, nope

Your discounting the possibility that Ron could have earned college credits in high school through Advanced Placement courses and testing which is very common these days. Also, a lot the guys will pick up additional class credits during the summer and even between semesters.

I have no idea what Ron's status is but you are ASSUMING he has only taken the minimum of 12 hours per semester. Maybe that is true, maybe it isn't true. I can tell you that Alex Harden, a senior and the best player on the Shocker WBB team took a class load of 18 hours during this year's fall semester in pre-med. It has been a common occurrence in recent years for Shocker Volleyball players to leave with the program after graduating with eligibility remaining. We had two of those this year in Kristin Byers and Ashlyn Driskill. Kristin did have 4-years of College under her belt but Ashlyn will graduate in 3 years and head to medical school.

Also, to what extent Ron's graduation status will weigh in his decision to stay or go is difficult to say.

[OregonShocker]

Also, to what extent Ron's graduation status will weigh in his decision to stay or go is difficult to say.

True, other than if he's looking at making a career from the NBA, he should be aware that it will be VERY difficult (hard work, no guarantees, uphill battle, etc.) for him. If he's willing to give it a try (and I think he should and probably will) then his grad status is moot; timing is tantamount to his success. If he's hesitant, he may want to finish that degree. Trying to make the NBA from the bench AND complete college courses will be difficult. (It's why I gave up my NBA dreams; that, and I'm 5ft 9 and can't jump, but that's a side point to my basketball smarts!)

[1972Shocker]

True, other than if he's looking at making a career from the NBA, he should be aware that it will be VERY difficult (hard work, no guarantees, uphill battle, etc.) for him. If he's willing to give it a try (and I think he should and probably will) then his grad status is moot; timing is tantamount to his success. If he's hesitant, he may want to finish that degree. Trying to make the NBA from the bench AND complete college courses will be difficult. (It's why I gave up my NBA dreams; that, and I'm 5ft 9 and can't jump, but that's a side point to my basketball smarts!)

I'm confident that Ron will get his degree whether he goes pro (NBA or otherwise) or not. My guess is he has promised both his parents and himself that he would do that.

That said I personally expect Ron to return next season, but would not be all that surprised if he does not.

[jdshock]

Ron Baker does not need to get a degree and he will make more money than maybe anyone on this board. People like Ron Baker make more money from their connections in basketball than what they could've earned with an undergrad degree. For him to get a degree, the benefit would be twofold: (1) any promise he has made to family to get a degree, (2) getting a degree for the sake of getting a degree [it is a cool milestone that helps people feel accomplished].

Even if the NBA doesn't work out, Ron can go sell insurance to athletes.

Now... I'm not saying that's true of every player! I absolutely think most college athletes should use their team to get a degree. Ron Baker has spent his entire college career in the national spotlight. He is going to make a lot of money because of his "brand." Whether that is on the court or in sales or whatever, I do not think Ron needs a degree for a back-up plan.

[1972Shocker]

Good points. I myself did undergrad in 3 years by high school classes and taking a ridiculous amount of hrs. It would surprise me though if he graduates this year

I pointed examples of current Shocker female athletes that graduated or will graduate in 4 years (or less). Kyle Weems at Missouri State graduated in 4 years with 1 year of eligibility remaining, although he stayed and played his final year of eligibility as a grad student at MSU.

There is a reason the NCAA has a specific rule that allows athletes with remaining eligibility to transfer without sitting out a year if they have graduated. It happens and is not really all that uncommon in this day and age.

While I think odds are that Ron will be back next year I wouldn't bet my house on it. I'm good with whatever Ron does with one exception. If he graduates and used the NCAA transfer exception to transfer to and play his final year at KU that would be hard to digest.

[1972Shocker]

Ron Baker does not need to get a degree and he will make more money than maybe anyone on this board. People like Ron Baker make more money from their connections in basketball than what they could've earned with an undergrad degree. For him to get a degree, the benefit would be twofold: (1) any promise he has made to family to get a degree, (2) getting a degree for the sake of getting a degree [it is a cool milestone that helps people feel accomplished].

Even if the NBA doesn't work out, Ron can go sell insurance to athletes.

Now... I'm not saying that's true of every player! I absolutely think most college athletes should use their team to get a degree. Ron Baker has spent his entire college career in the national spotlight. He is going to make a lot of money because of his "brand." Whether that is on the court or in sales or whatever, I do not think Ron needs a degree for a back-up plan.

Probably a valid view point. That said I expect Ron to get a degree one way or the other just because of the character of the young man and because I think it would be important to his Mom and Dad (although that's just a guess).

One place where a degree would be of value would be if Ron at some point wanted to get into coaching at the college level.

[shockerofandover0943]

I finished high school with 18 hours, played baseball at Barton for two years (taking between 12-15 hours each semester), then finished at Newman. Took me 4.5 years. It's hard to get it all done in 4 years.

I also don't think that Baker's graduation status will have a lot of impact on his decision to declare or not.

[forevershockerfan]

I too think Baker can make it in the NBA. However, seeing him with FVV as Seniors, along with Frankamp, and our recruiting class coming in causes me to long for him to return 1 more Season. If we can shore up our inside game after losing Carter, we could exclaim, "bombs away" with the outside touch we would have starting and coming off the bench. I'm thinking that FVV will not allow Shaq to get over 5' away this summer as they train in the blood and the sweat, and the tears and the weight lifting with Kerry.

[jdshock]

Probably a valid view point. That said I expect Ron to get a degree one way or the other just because of the character of the young man and because I think it would be important to his Mom and Dad (although that's just a guess).

One place where a degree would be of value would be if Ron at some point wanted to get into coaching at the college level.

I grew up within a stone's throw (by western Kansas standards) of Scott City. If his family is anything like most people out there, I'm certain you are right that it is important to his family to get a degree. Lots and lots of people who have been in the area for a while know the importance of education. People have parents and grandparents that were alive during dust bowl days when it would've been very common to drop out of school in middle school to try to help the family.

If I'd had the opportunity to 1. Play division 1 basketball, and 2. leave early before graduating, I know if I would have left early without graduating it's all I would've heard from my family!

[1972Shocker]

I finished high school with 18 hours, played baseball at Barton for two years (taking between 12-15 hours each semester), then finished at Newman. Took me 4.5 years. It's hard to get it all done in 4 years.

It is hard to get it done in 4 years but it does happen. I graduated from high school with no college credits (no such thing existed in those days and I went to a college prep high school). I worked 40+ hours per week and married my sweetie with 3 semesters to go after being engaged for 18 months. It took me 4.5 years as well.

The athletes at WSU and most D-1 schools have substantial academic resources and support not available to the average student. If they are motivated to take advantage of those resources many athletes are able to finish in 4 years.

[1972Shocker]

I grew up within a stone's throw (by western Kansas standards) of Scott City.

A stone's throw in western Kansas can be either a pretty long distance or a pretty short distance. It depends on if you are throwing into the wind or with the wind.

[EB 22]

Ron is on pace to graduate this year and will get his degree.

Otherwise, I think he has the chance and the tools to succeed in the NBA but the selfish part of me wants him to return. I want to enjoy another season of watching Ron and Fred and them sharing the same Senior Night.

[OregonShocker]

Ron is on pace to graduate this year and will get his degree.

Otherwise, I think he has the chance and the tools to succeed in the NBA but the selfish part of me wants him to return. I want to enjoy another season of watching Ron and Fred and them sharing the same Senior Night.

I trust you have the inside knowledge. So, the only reason for him to stay is if he doesn't really want the NBA life. I don't think staying another year will help him and may hurt. Just think about it this way: who is going to be better prepared: a college athlete with ridiculous restrictions or an NBA rookie who can practice daily, all day, do NOTHING but focus on basketball, etc.? I expect him to leave if he's got his degree.

[pinstripers]

It almost seems to me that he will not be a first round pick if he goes now, or next year if he stays.

[WstateU]

It almost seems to me that he will not be a first round pick if he goes now, or next year if he stays.

I think it boils down to how we finish this season and his confidence about next seasons. If Ron feels we have the frontcourt (the horses) to complete into April 2016, I say he stays regardless of draft position. Should we pull off a 'minor miracle' and get to the Final Four this year, all bets are off. Another factor would be playing another year with the best point guard in the country and continue to write another chapter in the Ron Baker Story... that might prove to be the 'trump' card.