Brackins Returns to ISU

Here's a good article about Blake Griffin's effect on Craig Brackins's decision to return to Iowa State.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=543169

It turns out, someone had to actually do what fans have been advocating for years. Will Blalock left for the NBA draft after his junior year in 2006. ISU fans' position was that he could stay for one more year, run the team without Curtis Stinson, and improve his draft status. As it was, Blalock was selected with the last pick and never caught on with an NBA team.

It has always been my position that a basketball player should never leave early unless they are being talked about as being a lottery pick. The reason behind this is that most likely, 30 players are being thrown around as lottery picks, and 3o players get selected in the first round. The first round, of course, corresponds to guaranteed contracts.

Last year, Blake Griffin would have been a lottery pick. Instead, he came back for one more year of college and became the consensus number one pick in the 2009 NBA draft. Obviously, this can only happen for one player a year, but his decision has had an impact on many players eligible for this year's draft. At least ten potential first round draft picks have chose to return for another year of college basketball.

Players have finally realized that getting drafted does not guarantee NBA riches. The real money comes with finding a spot and staying on NBA rosters. This is much more likely as a lottery pick. Big money up front means more chances to make it, more time in the league leads to longevity.

This applies to Brackins. In all likelihood, he would have been a first round pick. Probably a fringe lottery pick. Nearly 20 and 10 in the Big 12 deserves that type of consideration. The NBA is littered with great college players who left early (Sean May, Adam Morrison, etc) that were never truly dominant. Brackins now understands the importance of dominating at one level before advancing to the next. He is the leading returning scorer, and the last three drafts have featured the best player in the Big 12 getting picked second overall.

Brackins choice to return is good for ISU fans, teammates and coaches, but it's also good for Craig. If he can improve his game next year and move into the lottery, he stands a much better chance at making an impact in the NBA and having a long career, increasing his chances at making big money.