GAME 26 - OKLAHOMA (16-9) @ #2 Florida (22-3) 6:00pm CST on ESPN2 (this should go well )

[StoopsBros]

It's definitely his dad.

Smartly, it seems like they're starting to look at ALL options with Jeremiah sliding and sliding down the boards.

 

[BoulderSooner]

It's definitely his dad.

Smartly, it seems like they're starting to look at ALL options with Jeremiah sliding and sliding down the boards.

except i don't think he is sliding much ..

 

[The_Banker]

I think that is way low. Isaiah Collier from USC was a F out of college who was the last guard drafted in the first round at #29 last year. His college stats are very similar to Fears, but a year and a half older (which isn't a positive). His contract was a 4-year $13M deal with an AAV of $3.3M. Guarantee of $5.2M.

According to the chart on the link, NEXT year at the 29th pick would have a 4-year contract worth about $10.7M and an AAV of $2.7MM.

And I doubt Fears would do anything over these last 5, or 6, games to slip to the last picks of the 1st round. But the link is a great reference point for a range for 1st rounders.

BTW, the top NIL earner this year is Cooper Flagg at an estimated.... $3.3M.

This is probably a more accurate chart.

NBA Rookie Scales

A look at the rookie scales for each year of the NBA.

www.spotrac.com

True, but playing another year for Moser and losing by 25 points per night . . . priceless!

OU if Fears agency reaches out for an offer.

 

[Moneyball]

What an absolutely classless thing to post when your son is on a “bubble” team. With a coach (that you go way back with) who is fighting for his job moving into next season. Just zero reason to do that on a public forum, sarcastic or not. Idiots man.

 

[WichitaSooner]

It's definitely his dad.

Smartly, it seems like they're starting to look at ALL options with Jeremiah sliding and sliding down the boards.

I hope dad realizes that he needs to up his shooting numbers much more than 3%! Not necessarily for draft position (although it would help), but for the sake of his career. And that certainly can happen for a young player. But as of now, his three-point shooting has been awful.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

He has a lot to work on but if he is still in the lottery after a rough conference play, no reason not to go

 

[hoopsaustin]

It's definitely his dad.

Smartly, it seems like they're starting to look at ALL options with Jeremiah sliding and sliding down the boards.

I hope his son protects his money from his dad like baker mayfield should have.

 

[MJSooner]

It's definitely his dad.

Smartly, it seems like they're starting to look at ALL options with Jeremiah sliding and sliding down the boards.

Sounds like his dad, if it is him (and the pic looks just like an older Jerimiah), is saying the same thing most of us are thinking.

What does he really benefit from marginally improving his stats by returning to college? Especially when he can develop in the NBA and GLeague minutes. Without the grind of college, risks of injury or not improving significantly, and having much more freedom. While playing against the best with better coaching, 24 hr training and staff, better resources, nutrition, etc. And I would argue LESS grind as there would be more movement and flow on the court in the NBA than the SEC or ACC or B1G.

As a G, he's not going top 5 this year or next. Buddy with his SR yr and size and 3 pt shot was #6. Trae leading the country in scoring and assists was #5. Either year, his position is probably in the #8-#12 range, with possibly high as #6 and falling out of the lottery to the #20ish slot. He could drop further but I think his potential keeps him in that range. With the real money being in the top 5 or in the second contract, to the original tweet, don't see a lot gained by deferring the draft.

I have not seen one good argument yet on why he should return to college.

 

[The_Banker]

Sounds like his dad, if it is him (and the pic looks just like an older Jerimiah), is saying the same thing most of us are thinking.

What does he really benefit from marginally improving his stats by returning to college? Especially when he can develop in the NBA and GLeague minutes. Without the grind of college, risks of injury or not improving significantly, and having much more freedom. While playing against the best with better coaching, 24 hr training and staff, better resources, nutrition, etc. And I would argue LESS grind as there would be more movement and flow on the court in the NBA than the SEC or ACC or B1G.

As a G, he's not going top 5 this year or next. Buddy with his SR yr and size and 3 pt shot was #6. Trae leading the country in scoring and assists was #5. Either year, his position is probably in the #8-#12 range, with possibly high as #6 and falling out of the lottery to the #20ish slot. He could drop further but I think his potential keeps him in that range. With the real money being in the top 5 or in the second contract, to the original tweet, don't see a lot gained by deferring the draft.

I have not seen one good argument yet on why he should return to college.

2024 Rookie Salaries (Not disagreeing just putting number):

#8 Pick PG Rob Dillingham= 4 year 28.4 Million

#20 Pick SG Jaylon Tyson= 4 year 16.1 million

So roughly 12.3 Million first salary difference, say you don't get the massive second contract, that's possibly a lot of money left on the table.

 

[notaburner]

 

[hoopsaustin]

Wow good to read. I bet it's lip service, but I'll take it anyway

 

[red recluse]

forget a rookie contract. it’s about getting to that second contract as soon as he can. and he’s attractive to gm’s because of his age. he got a year in college but you are basically getting a high schooler. gm’s will be all over that if he has a good combine.

 

[hoopsaustin]

forget a rookie contract. it’s about getting to that second contract as soon as he can. and he’s attractive to gm’s because of his age. he got a year in college but you are basically getting a high schooler. gm’s will be all over that if he has a good combine.

This. If fears only matches his stats and becomes a year older, it'll actually count against him

 

[Boom Soon]

forget a rookie contract. it’s about getting to that second contract as soon as he can. and he’s attractive to gm’s because of his age. he got a year in college but you are basically getting a high schooler. gm’s will be all over that if he has a good combine.

He’ll do great at the combine. The kid has got serious talent. He’s had a year in the toughest conference in history. He’s ready for the NBA imo

 

[mict085]

If fears remains a lottery pick, he should absolutely go. He’s talented but still has a lot of work to do. If he can get a lottery position, He should take it before that potential evaporates. If he continues to plateau and doesn’t develop beyond where he is now, the time decay will eliminate his draft prospects.

 

[WichitaSooner]

If fears remains a lottery pick, he should absolutely go. He’s talented but still has a lot of work to do. If he can get a lottery position, He should take it before that potential evaporates. If he continues to plateau and doesn’t develop beyond where he is now, the time decay will eliminate his draft prospects.

It won’t “eliminate” his prospects. Sometimes it’s funny reading people discuss draft prospects. There are no perfect players. Most drafts have maybe two or three guys who are almost sure to be very good pros with the potential to be great. Every other player has weaknesses, they all go through slumps, and they all have question marks about various things. When I see people say that Fears still has a lot he needs to improve, I wonder if they think there is a large group of college or high school kids who are finished products. Flagg could step into the NBA tonight and start and be a stud, but guys like him don’t come around often.

Fears needs to improve his shot, his ability to finish, especially through contact, and cut down turnovers. No guarantee he will, but those are all things that are doable. I won’t be surprised if he goes a little later than some of these mocks project, but as others have pointed out, his age is one of the biggest factors working in his favor.

 

[colston15]

He’ll do great at the combine. The kid has got serious talent. He’s had a year in the toughest conference in history. He’s ready for the NBA imo

He is ready for an NBA bench, maybe. He will get physically abused in the NBA until he gets stronger.

He’s also a streaky shooter and a mediocre finisher through contact.

I’m not at all arguing against his potential or that he should stay in college. He’s a borderline lottery pick and should take the money, but he is a project of sorts.

 

[BoulderSooner]

He is ready for an NBA bench, maybe. He will get physically abused in the NBA until he gets stronger.

He’s also a streaky shooter and a mediocre finisher through contact.

I’m not at all arguing against his potential or that he should stay in college. He’s a borderline lottery pick and should take the money, but he is a project of sorts.

the NBA on the perimeter is LESS physical then college basketball

 

[soonertrash77]

Couldn't agree with this more. Also, I am clearly biased and may be one of the few who likes Buzz Williams.

But, name any son of a highly successful coach that went P5 and had success in the last 30 years. Not to mention we are now in an NIL era.

Who cares if he was a walk-on here, hire a real coach with experience. OU should not be a trial job. Go prove yourself as a coach first, quit riding coat-tails and expecting to be handed the world. If he was a good coach, he would have been poached already by someone.

I like me some Buzz too. My oldest daughter was at nc state when Buzz was at VaTech. Quirky as hell but great coach.

 

[mict085]

It won’t “eliminate” his prospects. Sometimes it’s funny reading people discuss draft prospects. There are no perfect players. Most drafts have maybe two or three guys who are almost sure to be very good pros with the potential to be great. Every other player has weaknesses, they all go through slumps, and they all have question marks about various things. When I see people say that Fears still has a lot he needs to improve, I wonder if they think there is a large group of college or high school kids who are finished products. Flagg could step into the NBA tonight and start and be a stud, but guys like him don’t come around often.

Fears needs to improve his shot, his ability to finish, especially through contact, and cut down turnovers. No guarantee he will, but those are all things that are doable. I won’t be surprised if he goes a little later than some of these mocks project, but as others have pointed out, his age is one of the biggest factors working in his favor.

The older he gets, the less potential he has. It does erode his draft prospects, especially if he doesn’t progress.

Also, there are a bunch of guys with potential that never develop. There’s a gap between potential and actually becoming an NBA player. Not everyone gets there for a variety of reasons. Every year there’s a new batch of young potential players. Every year older is a declining draft prospect unless you’re a proven commodity.