Ex-OU guys you thought would make the NBA but didn't

[NMSooner'80]

I'm not a basketball coach, or even a former player (beyond intramurals), so I can't say I could scout for the NBA at all. These are just my own impressions of guys I saw play at OU, based on guys I thought had the combination of overall skills and size and/or athleticism:

- Tim McCalister
- Chucky Barnett
- Ryan Minor
- Jeff Webster (he might have played some in "the League"; can't remember)
- Skeeter Henry
- Corey Brewer
- Nate Erdmann (pretty good hops and shooting range for a small-town guy from the high plains of eastern N.M.)

 

[IndySooner]

Hollis Price

/thread

 

[WaymanFan]

Jeff Webster played a season with the Washington Wizards. It's difficult to put Ryan Minor in this category since he chose to play baseball.

The only guys I thought who would have played in the NBA are Tim McCalister and Ace McGhee. At the time T-Mac played, 6'-3" two-guards were very typical. He played solid defense as well. Like Ryan Minor, T-Mac's shooting fell off a bit his senior year, and he wound up as a 3rd round draft pick, I believe. Still, if Anthony Bowie could play 9 years in the NBA, it's conceivable that T-Mac should have at least sniffed it.

As for Ace, the way he came on in the second half of his senior year, I thought he would definitely make it as a small forward at the next level.

Of course, I'm like you, NM...didn't play much competitively past grade school.

 

[steverocks35]

Just goes to show you how tough it really is to make it in the league. (Just ask guys like Scottie Thurman)

 

[Mr.B!!!]

I honestly thought Corey Brewer would make it, dude had the athletic ability that you need on that level. Unfortunately he was probably about 6'1" (listed at 6'3") and was a SG. I'd throw him in with Hollis...that Royal Ivey has a spot in the NBA and Hollis Price does not baffles me.

 

[paulsboutique]

I really thought Terrell Everett would make the league. Just thought he had a game comparable to Lebron's Mom's boyfriend...

 

[Capel's Mustache]

Ace McGhee. Dude was a beast his last year and then was MVP of the Portsmouth tourney

 

[Tony]

I'd throw him in with Hollis...that Royal Ivey has a spot in the NBA and Hollis Price does not baffles me.

Hollis could play in the NBA, but he was just up against the fact that 6'2 shooting guards are a dime a dozen. Some of those guys get the breaks and make a roster, others aren't so lucky. It sucks for Hollis since no one deserved it more than he did.

 

[Mr.B!!!]

Hollis could play in the NBA, but he was just up against the fact that 6'2 shooting guards are a dime a dozen. Some of those guys get the breaks and make a roster, others aren't so lucky. It sucks for Hollis since no one deserved it more than he did.

I agree...but I would say that the career (and money) that he made in Europe is probably more rewarding than being a role-player (at best) in the NBA. I wonder if at some point his "dream" changed. It happens.

If I could complete and star every night, make fantastic money and legitimately travel the world doing it, maybe better than playing the Grizzlies and the Bobcats back-to-back. I think some of the higher end U.S. players in Europe (like Hollis) get hooked on that lifestyle a little more than what we know.

 

[NickZepp]

Taj Gray, Ace McGhee, and Ryan Minor. And maybe if Minor didn't go to baseball and dedicated himself to the NBA he may have made it there. Corey Brewer is another good pick. I also thought Nolan Johnson would make a good pro player because of the way we would isolate him and the way the NBA is basically an isolation type game. But I guess he wasn't big or athletic enough.

Hollis' size just wasn't enough. He can shoot the ball, but he's basically a 6-0 170 SG which really doesn't exist that much in the NBA.

 

[steverocks35]

A lot of it comes down to defense. Who would Hollis Price guard?

 

[thebigabd]

Ryan Minor and Corey Brewer.

 

[NickZepp]

A lot of it comes down to defense. Who would Hollis Price guard?

He might work in a Golden State/Nelson type system where they don't care much for defense, but just try and score as many points as possible.

 

[sheepdogs]

Jackie Jones.

 

[cvangild]

Jackie Jones
Ace McGee
Taj Gray
Hollis Price
Corey Brewer

 

[Seymore Cox]

Ace McGhee
Taj Gray
Corey Brewer
Nate Erdmann

Ebi Ere probably could play in the NBA, but he makes more money in Australia.

 

[steverocks35]

Beau Gerber

(I keed, I keed)

 

[BoulderSooner]

Hollis could play in the NBA, but he was just up against the fact that 6'2 shooting guards are a dime a dozen. Some of those guys get the breaks and make a roster, others aren't so lucky. It sucks for Hollis since no one deserved it more than he did.

he also was a very poor ball handler

 

[BoulderSooner]

Ace McGhee
Taj Gray
Corey Brewer
Nate Erdmann

Ebi Ere probably could play in the NBA, but he makes more money in Australia.

Ebi would be my pick no doubt .. but he was a stud in australia and now is a stud in europe ..


thats the other thing with the guys that are very succesfull over seas .. if they want to go to NBA training camp they pretty much throw a season away if they don't make a NBA roster because the overseas teams want to set there rosters before nba camp opens

 

[Pizza the Hutt]

Ebi and Hollis Price. Especially Hollis, thought he could become a 3pt specialist with the sweet stroke of his