Austin Daye Opts for the NBA
by Zach Bell on Jun 15, 2009 2:13 PM PDT
20 comments
Well, we tried as hard as we could to convince ourselves that Austin Daye would return for his junior year but the son of former NBA star Darren Daye has decided to forgo his remaining two years of collegiate eligibility for a shot at the NBA. The news of Daye's departure recently came across the wire but it probably won't shock many people as he has been projected as a first round selection thanks to his tremendous upside.
Austin put himself into consideration for the NBA Draft after Gonzaga fell to North Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen and he has been a hot topic since then. Up to this point, Austin still has no guarantee by any team that they will select him in the first round but apparently he heard enough to remain in the draft. Daye's decision comes on the heels of fellow WCC star Patty Mills also electing to remain in the draft (per DraftExpress).
Everyone agrees that the best years of Daye's career are still many years ahead of him as his body still has plenty of maturing to do. While it would have been nice to see him at Gonzaga for another year, it is pretty easy to see why Daye made the leap this year. The back-half of the first round is as topsy-turvy as ever and Daye could go as high as 13th to the Pacers but many think he could fall out of the first round. While the latter is not likely to happen, that is the kind of offseason it has been for Austin. He's been beaten up on the court in some workouts and has been the star of others. Ten days now separates Austin from finally realizing his fate and seeing if his gamble paid off.
Mark Few confirmed the story to Jeff Goodman at FoxSports and it will be interesting to see where Gonzaga goes from here. Daye joins seniors Jeremy Pargo, Josh Heytvelt, and Micah Downs in the NBA Draft and his inclusion means that six players will be gone from last years team (including Andrew Sorenson and Ira Brown). Filling Austin's shoes will not be easy. Averaging nearly 13 points and 7 rebounds a game, Austin will likely be replaced by someone with zero collegiate experience. The guards are pretty much set but now the front line of Gonzaga is basically as young as humanly possible.
Andy Poling and Elias Harris: You better get ready.
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That's why I'm not okay with it.
Whether or not Austin’s attitude was bad or not is in the eye of the beholder (I’ve seen other Gonzaga players act worse and act that way more often). I saw him show great enthusiasm in two years and I see him as kid that plays with his heart on his sleeve. Does he need to calm his expressions down a little bit? Maybe but he was a good teammate, never did anything stupid off the court, and has been fun to watch play. Seeing him up close and personal for two years was a treat. Some flashes he showed during his two years at Gonzaga were truly remarkable.
I hope Austin can develop those flashes into a consistent and long-lasting NBA career because he really does deserve it.
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Austin
Just got back. Lets see here……Austin’s gotta be pusing 20+ a couple of months, I’d guess, a former NBA Father who I’m sure pushes him as I would, lots of talent, needs the muscle and will get drafted. I would argue with those of you who saw him as not playing up to his talent level while at GU as possibly a little too tough on him. He simply had to play within Mark Few’s program which included, Kuso, Heytvelt, Pendo, Micah, Rob, Will and Ira, looking for PT minutes. By the way, this was done with most of those minutes being vied for by Juniors and Seniors, not to mention, Pargo and Bouldin posting up for additional minutes. Your right about not using him to his potential, but that was a Coaching decision, not his!!!!! Attitude? I wish my thoroughbreds had his winning attitude……enough said on that issue. Bottom line folks? You name me one player on this 2010 team that you believe is better than Austin Daye? We just lost the lotto! Listen, he’s a young Man, give him some credit for at least, in my opinion, giving way to the program and the kids that were ahead of him in years, while still believing that “He was the best Stud on the floor”. As a Coach, I’ll take that anytime. As a Dad I would be proud of him and as a Zag Fan………..Thanks Austin for a glimpse, it was fun to watch.
Glad he's gone. I'm confused by any Zag fan who really likes him.
It’s not like losing him cost us a title shot. I actually think we’ll be a better team without him. Minor Ewing Theory (at least on talent) potential here. Good luck being an NBA bust Austin!
You name me one player on this 2010 team that you believe is better than Austin Daye?
That’s what I care about. Next year could become a rebuilding year now without Austin. He, along with Bouldin, were going to be the two guys to carry the team now that Pargo and Josh are gone. Now it’s just Bouldin that I can find some sanctuary in. Steven Gray struggled greatly last year and Demetri Goodson has barely scratched the surface. As Andy Katz said, Gonzaga is one of the losers from today.
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Better?
Do you mean more wins, another title, 14-0 season in league, deeper in the tourney, higher ranking’s? All of the above? Could you be more specific or is it just like mine, your opinion?
Thanks
Well of course it's an opinion, everything on here's an opinion because we're not all-knowing.
I know they’ll be no way to tell, but my view (and every Zag fan I’ve talked to so far) is that losing his attitude totally worth losing his skill set. I think the offensive flow will be better with more focus on the three guards passing, shooting, and penetrating than it would’ve been had Daye been the offensive key. And while we lose his shot blocking on D, we also don’t have to see him get dominated by any moderately skilled 4 who crashes the boards or has a post game anymore.
You, for one, are certainly not all knowing
Austin was an amazing player who was just tapping his potential and could have dominated in the college game next year. He’ll need a year or 2 to adjust to the pros, but I look for him to be a very solid player once he makes the adjustment (barring injuries, of course). If you couldn’t see the kid’s talent, then I’m sorry for you (and you apparently don’t know many informed Zag fans). It was fun to watch, albeit in fits and starts. Good luck, Austin!
I think GU will have the weakest team since the squad that eventually lost Josh a couple seasons ago (Raivio’s senior year). Like that team, I expect our main guards (Bouldin and Gray) to step up huge and I expect one of the bigs or wings to make a huge surprise contribution. I remember seeing Josh really explode out of the gate in the Eastern game his soph year. I felt like, “Who is this guy?!” Who’ll be that guy this season? Poling? Sacre? Harris? Kong (assuming he makes it)? Heck, with the way he’s been playing for Canada – Olynyk? It’ll be someone all of us will be buzzing about after the first couple of games. Somewhere in all these new faces is a superstar waiting to happen, a diamond about to be taken out of the rough and put in the spotlight.
That's an interesting wager
since there’s absolutely no way to be proven right or wrong. You don’t like him because of the faces he makes? I’m utterly confused by any GU fan who thinks the team is better of with a less talented player.
Interesting about "Glad he's gone"
I can’t inderstand why you wouldn’t want him at GU? 7 Freshmen, did I say 7 Freshmen? I wonder how that translates to the success of the Team this year? I know most posters are not big stat fans but my past leads me to look at it all the time relative to the past and future performences of players coming back, lost for whatever reason and new coming in. Did I say 7 Freshmen? Anyway, Losing four starters that may go to the NBA and replacing them with 7 Freshmen? Somehow one of these Freshmen are at this juncture better than Austin would be next season at GU? Did I say 7 Freshmen? Sorry for the Patronizing but it really, really strikes me as HUH? We’d be better off without Austin! He’s gone, so I guess it’s a moot point now. Go Zags!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, I'm suprised by all the love you guys are giving him.
All the people I’ve gotten a hold of since it happened who either go to GU or are GU fans have been stoked about this. Everyone’s either given a “Yes!,” “Yay!,” or “Whooo!”.
Curious
Seth,
What is it he did to get your wrath? Seriously asking. I’m always interested in one’s opinions supported by something tangible. Would be interested if it’s just a personal preferance or performance?
Thanks
Answered above
Thanks, got a little ahead of myself. I think I get your position.
i think everyone knows my stance on Austin...
if you have read the blog for a while you know that I am NOT an Austin Daye fan…I havent been since he stepped on the court during Midnight Madness 2 years ago…i just never understood it…but aside from that, I am a huge supporter of this team and know that he made the wrong decision. I am all about our team being the best they can be and doing whatever it takes to become a better team, and honestly, as much as I hated watching him play, he would obviously make our team better and give us a chance to succeed and have a successful season.
On a side note, even if Austin did come back, I have a hard time believing all these people that are saying we would be a top team in the country. Our post play is severely lacking and hopefully Rob and Andy were able to develop a lot over the past season.
I’m extremely nervous about how he will do his first few years in the NBA, but ultimately think he will have a decent career…hopefully he doesnt get drafted by a team I care about so I wont HAVE to continue to watch him…
OT Question
Who do you like more: Adam Lambert or Austin Daye?
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Good luck lets move on
Austin is gone and I wish him the best of luck. He had his moments and no one can take that away from him. I’m glad he has decided to enter the draft because his attitude never really fit with Gonzaga’s style. I hope he has a great career but let’s get excited about the program and those still playing as Zags. We have a great opportunity to be a tough minded, scrappy, and passionate team and I for one have already started looking to next season and the players we still have.
the reason i love college basketball is because of guys like David Pendergraft. a guy who knows he’ll never play a minute in the NBA but played every game like it was game 7 in the finals. I would rather have “Pendo” on my team then a guy like Austin who thinks he deserves more than he has earned. I am pumped for next year, it’s a young roster but sometimes young guys play loose and without fear.
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