Shaun Pruitt declares for draft
Illinois center Shaun Pruitt declared for the NBA Draft on Tuesday, hoping to evaluate how he ranks in the eyes of pro talent scouts. Pruitt’s consistent play (11.4 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game) was one of few bright spots in a season of downs. Pruitt would have been the premiere big man in the Big Ten in the 2007-08 season, as he has improved every year he has stepped on the courts.
Because Pruitt did not hire an agent, he can choose to return to the Illini.
It is unclear whether the Aurora, Ill., native declared to give himself more exposure so when he does come out in 2008, he will be a household name, or if he actually thinks he will be drafted. Initially, it sounded like the former, but statements like, “I thank my family, the athletic department and all the fans of the Illini basketball program for the support I’ve received throughout my career,” make it sound like this might be permanent.
Bruce Weber learned his lesson from the last time one of his junior not-so-draft ready players declared pro early. He was all praises and very supportive of Pruitt’s decision, unlike in 2005 when Dee Brown said he was going to go pro (along with Deron Williams and Luther Head) and Weber made it very clear that Brown was not ready in his eyes. Not this time.
But is Pruitt NBA ready? He has established himself as a good post player, with touch on his shots. But at 6′10′’ he could get manhandled by NBA centers because he isn’t a very good ball handler. Plus, on the frequent occasions he got double teamed last season as it became more and more clear he was the Illini’s biggest scoring threat, he failed to find the open man and pass the ball out, often turning the ball over trying to back a player down.
Remember, too, that Pruitt needs to be one of the 60 best players coming out of college basketball to get drafted. Unlike the NFL Draft, the NBA version only has two rounds. Consider the amount of foreign players and high-prospect college freshman (a la OSU’s Daequan Cook) that get drafted each season, and Pruitt has to be an elite player to be picked up. Even then, his contract most likely will have no guarantee. Is that worth it? If Pruitt stays for one more season, in a Big Ten year without Greg Oden, Pruitt can shine, especially if he gets help from Brian Randle. Then, he could be a top 15 pick. So you have to wonder if this is the right decision for the big man.
Read more about Pruitt entering the draft in today’s edition of the Daily Illini, available at dailyillini.com.