Terps Sports

we can sit here and make all kinds of arguments about why he should stay, draft stock, guaranteed money etc. but that is irrelavent, the bottom line is the kid wants to leave now and will have to be talked out of leaving in order to see him in a Terps uniform next season.

People who think he should leave have no idea what they are talking about. If he was going to be a lottery pick of even go somewhere in the first round, I could see that being a decent move (see Terrence Morris).

Jordan Williams is nowhere close to an NBA draft pick. He just isn't. The guy missed a ridiculous number of layups, does not have a jump shot, does not have any low post moves, is not a great passer, is not a great defender, cannot shoot free throws, is not a good ball-handler, etc, etc, etc.

I think he has some potential, that if he stays another year or two, he could develop enough skills to go somewhere late in the first round. But that means another offseason of huge improvement, much like the jump from his freshman to sophmore year. Even that might not get it done.

He certainly doesn't owe us anything, and he can improve his game in the pros (probably more than in college). The real issue is whether he can make a roster in the NBA. Draftexpress.com (the only reliable draft site) right now has him rd 2 pick 3 in the 2012 draft. It's almost certain that he has no chance of being a first round pick this year regardless of who comes out. The problem with being a second rounder is that it's hardly a guarantee to make a roster and even if you do the team isn't usually committed to developing their 2nd rounders. The 2nd rounders only play if they're good enough to play. Looking at Hollinger's PER for rookies shows that only 33 rookies are on pace for over 500 minutes and the only second rounder from 2010 is Landry Fields (There are some other second rounders from previous drafts that are only NBA rookies now). The bottom line is that a few second rounders can make it, but it's usually an indicator that you won't be in the league very long.

HOF charmcity analysis here, people.

You tell me a time when you saw Jordan Williams utilize a drop step or an up-and-under or a hook shot. He is kinda clumsy, and his lack of jumping ability leads him to get blocked or fail to finish off easy baskets. How many ridiculous attempts at a reverse layup did he make this year? When the ball goes 20 feet in the air and doesn't come close to hitting the rim? I'm not saying he doesn't have talent or can't be a decent NBA Draft pick. It's just that he is nowhere remotely close to it right now.

Compare Williams to someone like Tyler Zeller, who isn't nearly as talented as Jordan but is much more polished. He has certain moves down in the post where it's almost an automatic bucket if he gets to a certain spot. That spot for Jordan is right next to the basket, and he often misses chippies or gets fouled and misses the free throws.

It'd be a terrible decision but if the dude wants to go, we can't stop him. Pankey/Padgett 2012.

if what you say is true then losing him is no big deal, he sounds like a terrible player, we'll be better off without all those rediculous reverse layup attempts

And this isn't about bashing Jordan at all. He seems like a nice kid and has represented the university very well. I'm sure he has heard a lot of these things I'm saying and much more from the coaching staff (and will hear the same from scouts), but is unfortunately likely being told how great he is by people around him hoping he goes big and can hop on the money train.

There won't be a money train if he leaves this year.

Unfortunately, this might make a lot of sense

From Chad Ford's espn.com chat today:

Kevin (Maryland)

A question on the draft prospects of some ACC underclassmen. Do you see Kyrie Irving, Chris Singleton, and Jordan Williams leaving early? And if so, where would they project?

Chad Ford (1:55 PM)

Sounds like Irving is likely to be in in. Singleton and Williams are both considering. Tough call for Singleton. Earlier in the year I'd say he was ready, but the injury hurt. I like Williams, but scouts all say he needs another year of school. He's a second round pick at best right now.

If Jordan leaves this year, he still will be making a lot of money with the prospect of making even more. It's tough to pass up.

Taking away nothing from GV or JW, I just love how the success of our team the past 4 years has rested on the shoulders of a single player at a time and each player was a debatable nba draft prospect.

Cause thats how other teams on our "tier" do it.