Following the NBA Combine, a lot of players — notably at the guard spots — saw their stock plummet. For instance, the dynamic playmaking Sharife Cooper measured at 6’ feet on the nose. There is some speculation that he may even drop out of the First Round entirely because of his swing-for-the-fence style of reckless play and tiny frame.
Another thing hampering the draft this year is just relative lack of guards. If you want wing players, the draft is loaded. If you want a three-and-D ballhandler with a nice outside stroke, your options are very limited
So, perhaps with competing player evaluations checking in a lot lower than many expected, being generally adored by GMs, and a good overall combine, it should not have been a surprise that Josh Primo, long bandied about as a marginal First Rounder, decided to test the NBA waters. And not only dip both toes in the water, but dive into the deep end.
Yesterday, draftniks reported that Primo was likely to stay in. Then, last night, SI broke that it is a done deal — Primo is forgoing his eligibility. And that appears to be the smart gamble too. No longer a cusp player, Primo is firmly a Round One pick, and has several workouts scheduled with half a dozen teams. He’s even being considered a late lottery player.
It may not make sense to a college hoops fan — it’s clear Primo needs a lot more work. But the NBA doesn’t care about that. They see the youngest player in the draft with ballhandling skills, defensive skills, and a natural outside stroke. Development can come later; you can’t coach talent. Combine those talents with a thin draft at his position, a good combine, great GM interviews, and sliding by competitors at his position, and there’s not a better convergence of events out there for Josh.
It’s the right call, for him certainly.
For Alabama, this is another dent in a roster that was already going to have to be rebuilt. Parker is working on a depth chart / personnel piece now, and that will be along soon. But for now, let’s marvel that Alabama, the football school, has had two one-and-dones in three years.
This ain’t Wimp’s Crimson Tide team, that’s for sure.
Best of luck Josh. Roll Tide.
Comments
And Shackleford to the quitter hole
By bamadan72 on 07.01.21 8:09am
Yeah, I'm more interested in this development, TBH
By PiperTJ on 07.01.21 8:12am
Oh, if you aren’t familiar, it falls into
the category of "Bama basketball cannot have nice things" category. It’s a pretty established ruling with a lot of precedence.
By bamadan72 on 07.01.21 8:20am
Nimari and JD are both
Way better than Shack.
I say that with respect for Shack but it isn’t death knell.
By Ma Deuce on 07.01.21 8:24am
And now Nate has an open roster spot.
He will be portal shopping again.
By Josh Chatham on 07.01.21 9:01am
I'd say he's done well there so far.
I’m willing to give the guy another shot.
By CrimsonRon on 07.01.21 9:54am
It really falls into
He probably wouldn’t be a starter next year.
By uatide4ever on 07.01.21 11:28am
So True
Love Shaq, but this roster will be more talented top to bottom than last year. We are still 10 deep without him. Love seeing him ball but he probably needs to find a team where he is getting more minutes.
By jrb3 on 07.01.21 1:58pm
yea whats the deal with that? He was our leading scorer and he wants to transfer??
By Jcarr_26 on 07.01.21 11:18am
By PiperTJ on 07.01.21 12:37pm
By CarrotTop4 on 07.01.21 9:03am
Is Josh aware of how much NIL money he's gonna miss out on?
By UtahBammer on 07.01.21 8:36am
You can’t have NOTHING!
I’m all primed up for a deep run into the final four for the first time ever! And then reality hits me in the face, Hey Stupid, you’re an Alabama basketball fan, this is your lot in life! Josh Snead makes funny videos about people like you!!!
Maybe the freshmen will be Superstars! Damnit, there I go again……
By jtcrimson on 07.01.21 8:42am
By CarrotTop4 on 07.01.21 9:06am
By PiperTJ on 07.01.21 9:21am
Best of luck to both
Disappointed for lil shaq and hope primo didnt get hoodwinked by scouts-
Both fb and bb are different games now
By zappa for president on 07.01.21 8:55am
Very excited to see if Primo lands in the first round like we're hearing
Kid can ball….hope he makes a bunch of money and CNO keeps pumping out 1 and done’s.
Sucks to see Shack go….but I know CNO is really starting to get his roster where he wants it. Going to be a challenging schedule this year, going to need a very deep roster.
By jebkeb11 on 07.01.21 9:41am
...
By NiceLittleSaturday on 07.02.21 3:40pm