Elleby after Pacer workout
- Thread starter SaveFerris
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I definitely feel like he wants to go as soon as possible and it seemed like he was holding his own a bit. Elleby is a big piece for us but unless he's improved a lot in a few areas (shooting, handles, passing, defense, decision making, etc.) he's not ready and it's extremely unlikely he gets drafted.
If he comes back going through the workouts can only help his game along with the feedback.
If he comes back going through the workouts can only help his game along with the feedback.
He's not going to get drafted. Or even close. Unlike Baseball, if he stays in for the draft he is done, correct? So we should wish him luck by saying pull out and come home.
There are draft boards but that would take some effort to see whether he's currently project and I'm not motivated enough to go through that exercise at the moment. Maybe someone else is but doubt it. I tend to doubt he gets drafted and he has until May 29th to decide whether he's staying or going. I want to think he will make the smart decision to come back but it matter little what I think is smart.
My highly sophisticated and finely honed perspective is based on following some of the NBA games (even though Baynes is done for the year). Elleby is still a kid. Those guys are men. I just don't see any closeness there at all. Franks, another story.
I don't think Franks is guaranteed to get drafted and if he does I think he has an uphill battle to stick on a team. Big thing with him is he can shoot the 3 with range and if he catches on with the right situation that could keep him around long enough to to develop and find a career in the NBA. Maybe in the G-League to start like Baynes and that's a tough road.
The game has changed a lot but maybe Elleby could carve out a niche like Ehlo (still like that comparison Rich L made) did in the NBA. Like Ehlo there isn't one thing that sticks out in his game but he's potentially capable of doing a lot of things well at that level. A logn time ago but no way as a freshman is Elleby where Ehlo was as a senior. Elleby mentioned breaking Klay's record but hopefully he realizes it took Klay 2 more years to become a first rounder.
As much as I love watching this kid hoop it up, I have to say he is not an NBA player at this point in his game/development. He has A Lot to improve, physically and smarts. I can still remember games where shot the lights out, but also where his decision making was very poor and it looked like he was putting on a turnover clinic. I do wish him well wherever he ends up. However, I cannot see him making any NBA roster.
I think Elleby is closer than most realize but isn't ready yet. I love his frame and length. He could really develop if basketball is his only job. That being said, a year under Kyle Smith is going to go a long way toward preparing him for the next level. Learning to contribute on offense after giving max effort on D will go a long way to develop his game.
There are way better players than him available and way better players every year that get passed up. He can have a good career overseas but I doubt he’ll ever see the NBA. That being said he had a way better freshmen campaign than I ever imagined he would so who knows... maybe!
If he doesnt withdraw from draft, the ultimate best case scenario, is someone takes a extreme flier on him, drafts him as last pick of 2nd round. Then he either goes overseasto play semi pro ball, or he plays in the NBA D league, CBA, etc, then later makes a NBA roster, where a bench player, and doesnt start until years 5 to 10 in NBA, after beng on bench in NBA, after playing overseas or in NBA Develop D leag, or in CBA.
But if he stays, develops, he could go end of first round, top of 2nd round. Make a roster. Start on Bench, become starter by end of 3rd year to 4th,5th year.
But if he stays, develops, he could go end of first round, top of 2nd round. Make a roster. Start on Bench, become starter by end of 3rd year to 4th,5th year.
Theo says Elleby was receiving a lot of second round interest. I'm inclined to believe this, he wasn't a slam dunk to be drafted but it wouldn't have shocked me. I think Smith was important to getting our guy back. He can do more to develop Elleby on the defensive side of the ball, something Ernie just wouldn't have done.
After thinking more about this, Elleby looked like the most NBA ready freshman I've seen at WSU. More than Klay, Kyle, Baynes, Casto and Marcus Moore. He's got a long way to go, but he was further along in his development than most of those names were in their mid sophomore seasons. I don't see him lasting in Pullman for longer than next year. He's just to close to being ready for the NBA.
After thinking more about this, Elleby looked like the most NBA ready freshman I've seen at WSU. More than Klay, Kyle, Baynes, Casto and Marcus Moore. He's got a long way to go, but he was further along in his development than most of those names were in their mid sophomore seasons. I don't see him lasting in Pullman for longer than next year. He's just to close to being ready for the NBA.
Guys, come on. He’s not even a little bit close to being NBA ready. Have you looked at the guard position in the NBA recently? Scan the rosters of the worst teams in the league and get back to me.
I agree he is not close to NBA ready and a long shot to ever play in the NBA, that doesn’t mean he’s not a great basketball player. The NBA is made up of extreme athletes and or specialized players, shooters, shot blockers ect... I personally don’t put Elleby to either of those catagories.
Our fans, and fans of most programs I suspect, have a habit of underestimating how incredibly difficult it is to make an NBA roster. I read that since 1946, we’ve had a total of 18 players who’ve played in the NBA. 6 of those 18 played 2 years or less.
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Elleby has the size, speed, athleticism, and energy to play at the NBA level. However he is not close yet in matching those athletic attributes with the skills to play at the next level, particularly shooting. Defense is not an issue. If D was that prized Klay wouldnt be below 3rd team all NBA.
Isaac Fontaine couldn't make it in the NBA. That shows you just how hard it is to make an NBA team. Kyle Weaver was in the league for 3 years? Baynes played overseas and thanks to the Spurs connection down in Australia was able to get his shot. It's incredibly tough to make the NBA. Even if you get drafted in the 2nd round, doesn't guarantee you anything.
Lots of posters are missing my comment that Elleby looks more NBA ready after his freshman year.
Kyle Weaver was skinny his freshman year, good athlete but looked like he'd get thrown around by NBA caliber talent. Same thing with Klay. After his freshman year, I figured he was a 4 year player. Casto and Baynes were both short.
Elleby is listed at 6'6 and 200lbs. Glancing at the Warriors and Raptors rosters, NBA SG/SF's are in the 6'5-6'8 range and weigh about 210-220 lbs. He's one off-season weight program away from looking like an NBA player in an airport. He's the rare WSU basketball player who actually has NBA size. His speed, quickness, and vertical aren't special by NBA standards but they are good enough.
WSU has had success finding good basketball players who don't look like basketball players. Klay Thompson was the closest thing we had to WSU an NBA frame and he didn't hit 200 lbs until his junior year.
Baynes was short? I thought he was 6'10" the minute he stepped on campus?
Glad Cougar
Not so much short with Baynes As very raw. His "bull in a china shop" style masked his athleticism the first couple of years.
As for Casto, he was short for a 5, but it was poor hands that held him back, especially on the boards, and offensively. Very good defender but only average rebounder. Contrast to Hawkinson and Hendrickson who were much less athletic, but had the big hands making them good shooters and rebounders.
As for Casto, he was short for a 5, but it was poor hands that held him back, especially on the boards, and offensively. Very good defender but only average rebounder. Contrast to Hawkinson and Hendrickson who were much less athletic, but had the big hands making them good shooters and rebounders.
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I thought Baynes was a load year 1 but mostly dunks, he was inconsistent, and probably not in the best shape. Year 2 I remember him having some sort of foot injury that held him back a bit. The change in his body year-over-year was pretty amazing along with the addition of the baby hook. Impressive growth over his 4 years.
All-American center Tyler Hansbrough was 6'9" back then. Luke Harangody was 6'8" back then. Taj Gibson was 6'9" back then. Although they may not have technically been 5's.
While other contemporaries, like the Lopi twins, were 7 footers, I don't think 6'10" would be considered short.
Baynes looked like he'd be a great college player when all was said and done. He was. But 6'10 isn't NBA height at center unless he brought another skillset to the table. Baynes had the game of a 7 footer except he wasn't 7'. Aron's made a nice career for himself by developing skills he never showed in college.
And as you acknowledge, college 5's can get away with being a lot shorter than their NBA counterparts.
And as you acknowledge, college 5's can get away with being a lot shorter than their NBA counterparts.
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